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The subject property was originally built in 1959 by a famed commercial developer for his daughter and her family. At the time, the house was constructed using very advanced, energy efficient technology. Building techniques employed were passive solar, commercial radiant heat, radiant barriers, cavity insulation, and a conditioned attic assembly. The original plans even contained details for a sun space off of the kitchen to take advantage of the South facing alignment of the home.
The house is currently undergoing a complete gut rehab. Thanks to the foresight of the original owners, the location and orientation of the house on the property are perfectly designed to capture solar energy. As such, a 9.1kw solar photovoltaic system is currently being installed. Additional roof space has been set aside for added solar photovoltaic in the future as well as solar thermal for hot water. The lines and placement of the solar thermal system have been worked out for easy incorporation in the future.
The homes heating & cooling system will consist of an 8 ton geothermal system utilizing a standing column well. The geothermal system has been engineered to provide nearly 100% of the heating/cooling loads, virtually eliminating the need for a fossil fuel backup system. However, in the rare event backup is needed, the air handlers are attached to an ultra-efficient, variable speed Carrier® Infinity™ gas furnace. Great care has also been taken to design and install a properly sized duct work system. In addition, an energy recovery ventilator is being installed and linked to every bathroom in the home. As a result, the bathrooms do not have direct exhausted bathroom fans; instead, the bathrooms are perpetually being exhausted through the ERV system and the fresh air being delivered to the whole-house supply ducts.
The house currently has an outer brick shell over tar paper, plywood, and 2x4 framing. The cavity depth will be enlarged by horizontally strapping 2x3 studs over the existing 2x4 framing. This framing method should help to mitigate thermal bridging through the existing studs and help to eliminate points of air-leakage. The walls will be insulated with a combination of 2" closed-cell foam and 3" open-cell foam for a total insulation R-value of approximately 27. The roof and garage ceiling will also be insulated with a combination of open and closed-cell foam for an R-value of approximately 45-55.
Working within the limitations of an existing shell from 1959, we are attempting to renovate the house and bring it up to the latest standards in a practical, cost effective manner. |
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