Fire station: DOE demonstration retrofit in cloud belt region

The Central Fire Station No. 1 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was one of the most energy inefficient of city facilities, although the building is of contemporary construction. An energy conservation and solar retrofit was performed on the building. The project includes insulation, double glazing, weatherization, thermal shade and shutters, and energy conservation measures on the existing building. New construction entailed retrofit matrix air collectors applied to masonry walls, an attached greenhouse containing a passive solar hot water system, and a rooftop active solar hot water system. Discussed are the political setting, design program, design elements, performance projection, current status, and construction details.