The Sola24 Difference

Your peace and quiet is assured

• One of the principals at Sola24 was an audio engineer in a previous life. So he knows a thing or two about how stop unwanted sound (noise) from invading your living space. During construction, three basic principles of soundproofing were adhered too. These include Mass, Mechanical decoupling and Absorption.
• Mass was added between units with high density sound-board and sheetrock in the walls and cement-board in the floors.
• Decoupling is probably the most important component of our soundproofing strategy. So we incorporated double stud walls between all units. Next, the sheetrock was attached to sound-channel suspended by insolation clips. Finally, foam gaskets were used between the ceilings and wall joints for additional decoupling

• Higher absorption was achieved by installing high density insulation between all internal walls and ceilings.

Building structure incorporates many uber-efficient Passive House building techniques and has earned a FIVE STAR Built Green award.

• The premise is simple, super tight buildings consume less energy for heating and cooling. So we used spray foam insulation to achieve a virtually airtight building shell. In addition, all penetrations, such as lights, switches and outlets were sealed with caulking or gaskets. Combined with large high tech Andersen E-Series windows that provide natural daylight for both light and warmth. This combination of efficiency and natural light makes the spaces inviting and relaxed. Not only will our tenants be more comfortable, they will be paying less for heating and cooling.

Heating and air conditioning like no other

• We chose Mitsubishi’s City Multi VRF system for heating and air conditioning. Currently, there are no other apartment buildings in the Seattle area using the City Multi system. The reason is pretty simple; it costs about twice as much as its nearest competitor. We chose it because it’s by far the most efficient and quiet system on the market.
• Mitsubishi achieves this outstanding efficiency with proprietary inverter technology that varies the heating and cooling capacity to precisely match the demands of the tenants. To further enhance efficiency, advanced software allows each indoor unit to be monitored for electrical consumption. The bottom line is; you will be paying less for heating and cooling.
• Eco-friendly refrigerant: Environmentally-friendly R410A refrigerant offers zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and allows for higher heat transfer coefficient (COP)
• Minimal impact on landfills: The City Multi uses long-life washable filters rather than disposable filters. To date, as much as 89.8 percent of the materials used to build the system components are recyclable.

Electrical consumption is supplemented by roof mounted photovoltaic solar panels.

• Not all solar panels are created equally. We used the most efficient solar panels available. SunPower solar cells currently hold the world record with a 24% cell conversion efficiency.

• Large roof overhangs and external sunshades have been installed above South facing windows to reduce solar gain in the summer.

• Smaller, GE Energy Star appliances have been installed in all apartment units.

• LED lighting has been used exclusively throughout the building.

All common area lighting is connected to a Digital Lighting Management system that controls lighting for better efficiency and security.

• All lighting remains in a dimmed or off state until occupancy is sense. At which time the lighting will be increased to full brightness. Lighting returns to a dimmed state after motion has ceased.

Smart sub-metering allows tenants to see their electricity and water usage.

• We installed IP-connected sensors and meters that help tenants conserve by making their consumption more visible. Now tenants can make simple, no-cost behavior changes; such as turning off unneeded lights or equipment, waiting to run the dishwasher or taking shorter showers. We also help tenants conserve with LED lighting and low flush toilets.

Green roof paired with reflective coating conserve energy and moderates run off

• With green roofs, water is stored by a substrate and then taken up by the plants from where it is returned to the atmosphere through transpiration and evaporation. Green roofs not only retain rainwater, but also moderate the temperature of the water and act as natural filters for any of the water that happens to run off.
• The greater insulation offered by green roofs can also reduce the amount of energy needed to control the temperature of the building during the summer and winter.