Project Subtitle:
Project Description:
We cut the carbon dioxide emissions of our 5300sf 1970's house by 43 tons per year getting us to a year round zero-carbon footprint. We are not only saving money, our bills (for heating oil and electricity) are down $11,500 a year, but we are earning a 15% return on our investment. That's 15% after tax and with no volatility. Much better than my stock and bond investments! For more information, check out www.greenzerocarbonhome.com.
Building Type Summary:
Other Awards:
None
Note that HERS index and Energy Star score are only available on new construction this is a renovation. There are no awards that I am aware of that apply to renovations. Perhaps you should start one? Since 99% of the US housing stock is already existing successful retrofits are important to publicize. Especially those that make money. None of your case studies shows the investment or return. In fact your case studies make no mention of money and therefore a reader cannot tell if this makes financial sense for them.
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Site description:
Gentle slope, mostly wooded
Materials:
All wood was FSC certified
All paint was zero VOC
Energy Highlights:
15kW roof mounted solar PV system
2 Bosch 5 ton ducted heat pumps
Triple-glazed windows
Extra insulation
Heat pump hot water tank
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Datasets and Utility Bills sources and reliability:
Annual heating oil data is 100% accurate for delivery records. Daily use is from gauges on the oil tank and is not as reliable. It is pretty good if averaged over about 5 days.
Electricity data is from Eversource bills and an Efergy whole house meter. It is 100% accurate.
Solar power data is from the Solar Edge reporting system and has been audited to the net-metering credits on my Eversource bills
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Subslab assembly:
concrete
Above grade wall assembly:
2x4 walls with fiberglass insulation, approx R12
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Process:
We did it ourselves after a lot of research
Energy Modeling Software:
My own spreadsheets. I created model of our house that has a R-squared of 80% to the actual energy use of the house.
Outcome of project goals:
We got to a zero carbon footprint, zero utility bills and are making a 15% return on investment
Finances Description:
All paid in cash
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Net Cost of renewable energy systems:
Federal incentives:
30% federal tax credit on solar panels, about $23,000
State incentives:
MA SREC2 solar power subsidy, about $29,000
Utility incentives:
$1500 utility rebate on heat pumps
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Advice:
Get all the incentives and the low cost, or zero interest, state loans. Get Massive to pay for the insulation.
NESEA Awards:
None
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Scope Description:
Renovation. Added triple glazed windows. Added R10 insulation to roof and R38 to basement.
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Other Purchased Fuels Description:
Heating oil
Summary of enclosure strategy/description:
renovation of existing 10"x2" joists on flat roof
Roof R-value:
Window Description:
Loewen triple glazed patio doors. R4 on lower floor R 5 on upper floor.