Project Team

David Fink's picture

David Fink's picture

Mechanical Engineer

Michael Duclos's picture

BE Boston 19 Registrants BE Boston 20 Registrants BE Boston 21 Registrants BuildingEnergy 16 Full Conference

Michael Duclos's picture

BE Boston 19 Registrants BE Boston 20 Registrants BE Boston 21 Registrants BuildingEnergy 16 Full Conference

Energy Consultant

Energy Consultant

Paul Eldrenkamp's picture

BE Boston 19 Registrants BE Boston 20 Registrants BE Boston 21 Registrants BE Boston 22 Registrants BE Boston 23 Registrants Bottom Lines - Facilitator Bottom Lines - Steering Committee Business Member Member

Paul Eldrenkamp's picture

BE Boston 19 Registrants BE Boston 20 Registrants BE Boston 21 Registrants BE Boston 22 Registrants BE Boston 23 Registrants Bottom Lines - Facilitator Bottom Lines - Steering Committee Business Member Member

Paul Eldrenkamp founded Byggmeister, Inc., a Newton, MA-based design/build remodeling firm, in 1983, and sold it to his employees in 2021. He now is a consultant with HELM Construction Solutions. He participated in remodeling industry peer review groups (Business Networks and then Remodelers Advantage) for over 12 years and was a co-founder of Bottom Lines with Jamie Wolf and John Abrams. He co-facilitates the Plan Bygg and Silver Liners Bottom Lines groups with Shelia Perkins.

Energy Consultant

Other Team Members

Barbara Simko
Interior Designer

Steven Baczek
Architect

Dave Legg, Oliver Klein, Marie McMahon
National Grid
Deep Energy Retrofit Program Sponsor

Gary Bergeron, David Joyce, Alex Cheimets, Brad King
Synergy Construction
Builder

Mark Durrenberger, Jonathan Williams
New England Clean Energy
PV Installer

Patrik Muzilla
European Architectural Supply
High Performance Windows

Barry Stephenson, Aubrey Gewehr
Zehnder America
HRV & Ventilation

Honorata Loomis
Building Science Corporation
Energy Consultant

Brian Tierney
MassSave
Energy Consultant

James Cobb
VP / Branch Manager
Eastern Bank
Home Equity Loan, Heat Loan

Ashley Sullivan
MassSave
Heat Loan

Victor Fink
MindInMotion
Photography

After shivering for 20 winters inside their drafty 1576 sq ft 1945 Garrison Colonial in Melrose, MA, owners David Fink and Barbara Simko requested a MassSave energy audit. The auditor stated that the house would be an excellent candidate for the National Grid DER program. Thus began their journey towards zero net energy.

The owners initially planned to remodel the house by replacing the kitchen and building an addition. Working with architect Steve Baczek and energy efficiency specialist Mike Duclos, the design gradually evolved via the National Grid DER program to one that did not add square footage. Instead, the project focused on energy efficiency, making super-insulation improvements per DER guidelines, lowering window heat loss, increasing window solar gain, and recovering living space occupied by obsolete mechanical systems.

The super-insulated all-electric DER renovation home includes full envelope insulation and air sealing, high solar gain triple pane windows, new doors, and new heating and ventilation equipment. The chimney and existing oil fired steam heating system were removed and replaced by two mini-split air source heat pumps. The existing gas hot water heater was replaced by an electric heat pump water heater. An HRV was added to recover exhaust air heat and provide adequate ventilation. A drain water heat recovery heat exchanger was installed in the basement to recover heat energy normally lost down the shower drains. Because the southern facing main roof was ideal for PV, a high efficiency PV array was added to solar power the house to reach the zero net energy goal. The project was completed in October 2013.

The DER project was one of six NESEA ZNEBA finalists in March 2015. For a 1 year time period starting on Jan 7th of 2014, actual performance exceeded zero net energy. Measured performance was:

9103 kWh - PV Energy Production (=100%)

8395 kWh - House Energy Usage (=92.2% of PV Production)

0708 kWh - Net Energy Surplus to Grid (=7.8% of PV Production)

Quick Facts

General

Location Melrose, Massachusetts
Building Type Single-family residence
Project Type Zero Energy
Basis of Performance Claim Verified
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2.0
Conditioned Floor Area 2,706 sq ft
Total Cost of Project $347,659

Energy Summary

Energy Data Type Verified
Renewable Energy System Type(s) Photovoltaics
Ratings
HERS Index -1
Annual renewable energy generated 9,103 kWh/year

Envelope and Mechanicals

Subslab assembly

2 in XPS rigid foam (R-5/in) over existing concrete slab with drain mat below + 3/4 in plywood (R-1.25/in) flooring above.

Foundation wall assembly

2 in of XPS rigid foam (R-5/in) + 2 in of polyiso rigid foam (R-6.5/in), 3 in closed cell spray foam on rim joists, 0.4 in Spaceloft (R-10.3/in) used instead of polyiso near stairway to reduce thickness and maintain reasonable stair width

Above grade wall assembly

4 in of polyiso rigid foam (R-6.5/in) on exterior + 3.5 in of blown cellulose (R-3.4/in) in original wall cavities + 3/4 in plywood (R-1.25 /in) sheathing + 0.75 inch dead air space (R-1.0/in) + 0.5 inch gypsum board (R-0.9/in) + 5/16 in cement board siding (R-0.48/in)

Door Assembly

2 First Floor Entry Doors - Fiberglass, Therma-Tru, R-4, R-5.3
2 Basement Entry Fire Doors - Fiberglass, Therma Tru, R-7.1 base door
On basement doors, added 0.4 in Spaceloft (R-10.3/in) + 2.0 in XPS (R-5/in) to achieve R-21.2
Door average Rval = 7.4
Door average U = 1/7.4 = 0.14

Air Changes per hour, ACH50 1.43 ACH50