First Ever Green-friendly Building Coming To Downtown Pensacola
Written by Matthew Brown
Since 1976, Rodney Rich and company has been one of the leading insurance and investment-consulting firms in the Pensacola area. Now Rich and company are moving to a new location that will better serve the community of Downtown Pensacola.
Rich and his associates are moving from their old location on East Intendencia Street. It was a location that Rich worked out of for the past 30 years. He even rebuilt it after Hurricane Ivan left its mark on his business.
“Over the more than 30 years of having our office in this wonderful area, we have watched the area prosper with more professional offices and businesses,” said Rich.
Now, due to the growing numbers in business and associates, Rich and his associates are about to move into a brand new building. Not only is the building more spacious for employees and clients, but it will also be the first green-friendly building in downtown Pensacola.
On the corner of East Wright Street and North Tarragona Street, Rich decided to go with a construction company that has over 60 years of experience—Greenhut Construction Company.
Greenhut Construction is one of the premier building contractors in Northwest Florida. Some of their most notable projects include the Sacred Heart Hospital Airport Medical Park, Pensacola Regional Airport, and the First Baptist Church of Pensacola.
Greenhut construction has been one of the leading contracting companies that promote LEED projects (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) construction. These projects are not only green-friendly, but energy efficient as well. Greenhut most recently completed Navy Federal Credit Union in Pensacola. The multi-purpose facility was designed and built to earn a LEED certification level of gold.
So what makes the new office building green friendly? There are three things actually; ICF insulation, geothermal air conditioning and heating, and the use of reclaimed woods.
ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) insulation is becoming more popular not only in office buildings, but in residential homes as well. ICFs are rigid plastic foam forms of insulation that hold concrete in place, creating thermal insulation.
There are several advantages to using ICF insulation as opposed to regular insulation. It makes structures more durable and structurally sound, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly.
Another key feature of the building is the geothermal heating and air conditioning. Although the initial installation may be more expensive than the average AC unit, geothermal heating and air can save a substantial amount of money on energy bills.
“We feel after researching our energy needs, we may have saved as much as 25-40 percent off our energy bill,” said Rich.
Along with the geothermal heating and AC, the new building will have a heat recovery unit, which is then converted and used for hot water. The unit will rely on using the natural thermal properties within the earth for heating and air.
“With a geothermal system, no exterior equipment is exposed to the elements,” said project manager Chris Pelt. “Geothermal also historically eliminates 25-35 percent of electrical requirements of the entire building.”
Pelt, who has been working for Greenhut construction for the past two years, is overseeing the construction of the new building. Pelt is one of the eight LEED certified personnel that is currently working for Greenhut.
Instead of using brand new lumber on office doors and a conference table, Rich decided to go with a more green friendly approach by using reclaimed wood in the new building.
In addition to the Rodney Rich building, Greenhut has also renovated an existing building on the lot that he purchased. He plans to lease the newly renovated 2,500 square foot building for professional offices when completed. Plus, there are two more building sites on the newly purchased property.
“We felt we were a pioneering group in 1976, when we placed our office on Intendencia Street and expanded the downtown business district,” said Rich. “We feel we have been successful in expanding the downtown business district again as we look forward to our new location at 300 N. Tarragona.”