Energy efficiency
Our Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rated clubhouse contributes to the club’s green efforts. LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. The building is spray-insulated underground and in the frame to reduce energy needs in heating and cooling, we use low emission carpet and paint, and action activated light fixtures.
The Environmental Committee also has an Energy
Efficiency Working Group that identifies and supports projects that reduce the
Club’s energy usage footprint. This year the Working Group arranged site visits by
electrical contractors under a BGE energy efficiency rebate program which
resulted in the Club purchasing new high efficiency equipment for its walk-in
refrigerators.
The Environmental Committee also formally endorsed
and supports a project to install two Electric Vehicle charging stations in the
Club parking lot. The Working Group arranged obtained estimates from three
contractors for the Board to consider.
Green Building
Pervious Parking Lot: During EYC’s renovation and expansion in 2012, the Executive Board made the decision to put in a pervious parking lot to reduce the club’s impervious surface area, thereby reducing harmful runoff to the Severn River and the Bay. Our parking lot is so porous that you can’t even create a puddle using a garden hose. The parking lot utilizes three underground cisterns. During heavy rains, excess water flows into the cisterns resulting in gradual drainage into the ground. The concrete is made with locally available and recycled materials, and it is more durable than traditional asphalt, which reduces EYC’s carbon footprint.
Native Gardens: During the construction of our clubhouse, native plants were used in the landscaping around the building. We have since formed a “Brown Thumbs” Committee to maintain the landscape.
Rainwater from the club’s roof is collected in rain barrels and then used to water our native plant gardens.
Refillable Water Station: Our refillable water station eliminates the need for single-use plastic, and is used extensively for our sailing programs and regattas.
Compostable Dinnerware: In 2019, EYC became 100% single-use plastic free, using compostable plates, utensils, cups, straws, picks and bags, when reusable items are not practical.
Waste Management: Last year the Green Team formed a
committee to study the feasibility of composting on a full-time basis. It was decided
to focus on the food scraps from the kitchen, as opposed to trying to manage
composting receptacles in the common areas. We were able to do a trial run in
the kitchen beginning July 1. The trial run worked well, and we are now
continuing to compost food scraps.