Project type: Two-family attached home; three bedrooms per unit. Gross Built Area per Property: 3,152 square feet; 1,576 square feet per unit. Stories: Two
Recognizing that an uncertain climate and rising energy costs will disproportionately affect low-income families, SAND Net-Zero Energy Homes is a prototype project for affordable, net-zero-energy-consuming housing. In Phase 1, three two-family houses will be built on three adjacent vacant lots in Hartford’s North End . The homes are to be sold to middle-income residents of the area.
These high performance homes employ advanced insulation, ENERGY STAR® qualified windows, aggressive air sealing techniques, ceiling fans, ground-source heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation, and solar hot water heating to reduce energy consumption by 67% compared to Connecticut Building Code requirements. These strategies, combined with low-VOC paints and carpeting, and natural linoleum flooring in the kitchens and bathrooms, will make the interior air healthier. Two 4.5 kW photovoltaic arrays meet the remaining electrical needs of the house for heating, cooling, lighting and appliances.
The homes’ aesthetic draws on local architectural styles to fit congenially into the long-established neighborhood. Fiber-cement clapboard siding will contribute to its durability and native plantings will improve the drought tolerance of the properties’ landscaping.
Crosskey Architects and SAND Corporation worked closely with Acorn Consulting Engineers to select and develop the most appropriate and cost effective building systems and they look forward to working with Corporation for Independent Living to get the homes built.
When the new homeowners take possession of their property, the developer will teach them how to optimize the operation of the home and assist them with becoming landlords. By maintaining contact with the homeowners, SAND will monitor the building's performance in use over time. This will allow SAND to evolve the design as necessary since the developer plans on building these homes throughout North Hartford as properties become available.
Acorn Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Acorn Consulting Engineers, Inc. is a full service mechanical and electrical engineering firm established in 1994 committed to exceeding our clients’ expectations of service and quality. We offer state of the art analysis, design and project management for mechanical-electrical building systems. Our experience includes both new construction and renovations for educational/institutional buildings, office complexes, medical facilities, public housing projects, industrial facilities and retail complexes. Acorn is equipped with the experience and knowledge to engineer a variety of MEP systems, from energy recovery, cooling and refrigeration, ventilation, heating, lighting, power distribution, fire protection and plumbing systems. Acorn executes a whole building approach when developing building energy efficiency strategies. The principal is also a LEED Accredited Professional and has a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Rating System.
Corporation for Independent Living (CIL)
Founded in 1979, the Corporation for Independent Living is a nonprofit housing development corporation whose mission is to create and sustain housing and other community resources that provide affordability, accessibility and independence to those in need. Our products include community housing for people with developmental disabilities, accessible homes for people with physical disabilities, supportive housing for people with mental illness, affordable multifamily housing and homes for first time home buyers of low income. We are experienced in all facets of housing development and have the capacity to secure funding for our projects working with local, national and international financial institutions.
Connecticut’s Energy Efficiency Programs are funded by a charge on customer energy bills.
The Programs are designed to help customers manage their energy usage and cost.
