Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity Net Zero Cottage
adding energy affordability to the paradigm
Project Photo Gallery
Project Team
Architect
Architect
Builder
Other Team Member
Other Team Members
Chuck Witham, Lynne Badgett, Libby McLarty on Build Team
Ratings, Awards and Recognition
Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity: "Not only is this build our first Easthampton home, but it is also our first ever Women Build home and our first zero net energy potential house! That's a lot of firsts!" This is a fitting project to be the MJ Adams Legacy Build, in honor of the chapter's first director.
This project aimed to raise the bar in a lot of areas where PV Habitat has been gaining ground in the past decade. Energy efficiency and waste reduction were getting more and more successful, and we thought a bold goal would be a great way to stretch capabilities.
The cottage-style two-story home is the west side of a zero-lot-line project, where each family independently owns their land and home even though they share a wall, which helps reduce envelope exposure. A 4-bedroom, 2-bath home, it will be occupied by a single mother with three children. Due to a generous donation from PV Squared of a huge array--over 7kW--the home has the potential to reach net zero depending on the family's use patterns.
* Orientation and design of the building to have large windows on the south side to capture sun in the winter and large roof overhang to minimize sun in the summer when the sun is higher
* Double 2x4 walls (an outside wall and a separate inside wall) with dense pack cellulose insulation in between
* High efficiency double pane windows
* Sealing all window, door and sheathing joints to minimize outside air infiltration, with multiple air sealing tests made possible by expert volunteers with blower doors
* High efficiency heating, cooling and hot water systems
Quick Facts
General
Location
Easthampton, Massachusetts
Building Type
single-family residence, attached at lot line
Project Type
Zero Energy
Basis of Performance Claim
Modeled
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
2.0
Conditioned Floor Area
1,575 sq ft
Total Cost of Project
$163,183
Energy Summary
Energy Data Type
Modeled
Renewable Energy System Type(s)
Photovoltaics
Ratings
Energy Star Tier III
Pathways to Zero Grant Program, Mass DOE
HERS Index
-7
Annual renewable energy generated
7,417 kWh/year
Envelope and Mechanicals
Subslab assembly
4" XPS (donated by Dow)
Foundation wall assembly
slab on grade
Above grade wall assembly
double-stud dense packed cellulose, 11.5" frame to frame
Door Assembly
Therma-Tru Smooth Star S601LE
Air Changes per hour, ACH50
1.40 ACH50
Project Photo Gallery
Project Team
Other Team Members
Chuck Witham, Lynne Badgett, Libby McLarty on Build Team
Ratings, Awards and Recognition
Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity: "Not only is this build our first Easthampton home, but it is also our first ever Women Build home and our first zero net energy potential house! That's a lot of firsts!" This is a fitting project to be the MJ Adams Legacy Build, in honor of the chapter's first director.
This project aimed to raise the bar in a lot of areas where PV Habitat has been gaining ground in the past decade. Energy efficiency and waste reduction were getting more and more successful, and we thought a bold goal would be a great way to stretch capabilities.
The cottage-style two-story home is the west side of a zero-lot-line project, where each family independently owns their land and home even though they share a wall, which helps reduce envelope exposure. A 4-bedroom, 2-bath home, it will be occupied by a single mother with three children. Due to a generous donation from PV Squared of a huge array--over 7kW--the home has the potential to reach net zero depending on the family's use patterns.
Quick Facts
General
Location | Easthampton, Massachusetts |
---|---|
Building Type | single-family residence, attached at lot line |
Project Type | Zero Energy |
Basis of Performance Claim | Modeled |
Bedrooms | 4 |
Bathrooms | 2.0 |
Conditioned Floor Area | 1,575 sq ft |
Total Cost of Project | $163,183 |
Energy Summary
Energy Data Type | Modeled |
---|---|
Renewable Energy System Type(s) | Photovoltaics |
Ratings |
Energy Star Tier III |
HERS Index | -7 |
Annual renewable energy generated | 7,417 kWh/year |
Envelope and Mechanicals
Subslab assembly |
4" XPS (donated by Dow) |
---|---|
Foundation wall assembly |
slab on grade |
Above grade wall assembly |
double-stud dense packed cellulose, 11.5" frame to frame |
Door Assembly |
Therma-Tru Smooth Star S601LE |
Air Changes per hour, ACH50 | 1.40 ACH50 |