Washington, D.C. Ronald McDonald House® Achieves LEED® Gold

Fairfax, VA, November 12, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The new Ronald McDonald House in Washington, D.C., has been awarded LEED for Homes Gold certification by the Green Building Certification Institute (CBGI). LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized green building certification system established by the U.S. Green Building Council, which promotes sustainable building and practices. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well being of children through their three core programs that include their new “green” Washington D.C. Ronald McDonald House.

The LEED Gold certification of the new DC House is based on sustainable features that positively impact the environment, as well as the health of the families staying at the House and the local community. Selected sustainable features of the House include:

· Energy efficient systems and equipment that significantly reduce the monthly operating costs.
· Very high efficiency plumbing fixtures and fittings, which contribute to savings in water, energy and money.
· Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paint, which aids in maintaining good indoor air quality by reducing toxins and contaminants.
· Green label carpet, which meets stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.
· High efficiency HVAC equipment that uses environmentally safe refrigerants, and also saves energy and costs by delivering more heating and cooling per unit of energy input into the system.
· A large bio-retention pond that collects and naturally filters rainwater from the roof and parking lot, reducing the demand on municipal infrastructure for conveying and treating stormwater.
· Non-invasive, drought tolerant planting which eliminates the need for an irrigation system.
· Use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, which is sustainably sourced.
· Use of locally produced and recycled products.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C., partnered with Balfour Beatty Construction, developer Greenebaum and Rose Associates and designer Davis Carter Scott Limited to deliver the four-story, 22,500-square-foot building. Balfour Beatty Construction donated all pre-construction and general contracting services to build the $2.6 million project. The new House features four suites for families of children with weakened immune systems, a kitchen with dining and pantry area, an expanded playroom and guest bedrooms, as well as onsite parking.

"Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington D.C. is thrilled to have achieved a LEED Gold certification at our new D.C. House. The Charity maintains a serious commitment to ensuring our homes are sustainable. None of this would have been possible without the support of Balfour Beatty Construction, whose team built a beautiful green home for families in need," said Lisa Smith, Executive Director at Ronald House Charities of Greater Washington D.C.

This is the fourth Ronald McDonald House in the nation to attain LEED Certification and the second LEED Ronald McDonald House that Balfour Beatty Construction built. The LEED Silver Ronald McDonald House in San Diego, California, was built by Balfour Beatty Construction’s Southwest Region (formerly known as Barnhart Balfour Beatty.)

Steve Smithgall, Balfour Beatty’s Division President in Washington D.C., said about the firm’s involvement, “It feels great being part of a company that is making a difference. We contribute to create houses that are beneficial for the kids and their families; and the icing on the cake is how much better these homes are for the environment.”

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