On May 15, 2009, at the monthly Boston Area Solar talk, Paul Eldrenkamp, Byygmeister, moderated a succession of short presentations by Carter Scott, Transformations; Gary Bergeron and David Joyce, Synergy Companies; Gregory Caplan, Living Structures; Jonathan Kantar, Sage Builders; Simon Hare, Place Tailor; Cador Pricejones, Byygmeister: all demonstrating methods of deep energy retrofit.
Before the presentations, Eldrenkamp passed out score sheets where we could rate the different approaches on R value, thermal bridging, air barrier, drying potential, wetting potential, and embodied energy. It was billed as an insulation slam but the atmosphere was one of collaborative learning. This was practical experience relayed by active participants.
One person who wasn't there was Betsy Pettit, one of the founders of the Deep Energy Retrofit movement, "... and we need a movement," says Eldrekamp. Here's one of her recent presentations [pdf alert].
These techniques of advanced insulation are rapidly coming to the fore now. National Grid is doing 10 deep energy retrofits this year, funding 75% up to $30,000 with another $10,000 if you go to net zero or Passive House standards. The MA government is also planning to build some pilot Zero Net Energy buildings as pilot projects.
Carter Scott: double wall 2x4, thermal break, 12" depth with 3" of polyisocyanurate insulation board on the outside, 9" cellulose for R49 in the walls, 18" of insulation or R75 in roof, about $6000 more in insulation costs, and only $525 for the heating plant (cost saving), Mitsubishi mini-split heat pumps, air to air heat exchanger, 1252 sq ft house, triple glazed windows, HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating of -4, $124/sq ft construction cost with PV and DHW
Read more at the Solar Today article on the house which is part of the MA Utilities Zero Energy Challenge.
I saw Scott present his work at Harvard Business School in February where he talked about his energy efficient developments:
Marla Circle, Tyngsborough 5 units
Coppersmith Way, Townshend 41 units
EcoVillage on North Shore 24+ units (in negotiation)
He also has done low impact design for storm water on three developments so far.
Gary Bergeron and David Joyce: R45 walls, R70 roof, built a new insulated exterior around the existing house, 4" of polyiso all around
Greg Caplan: brought a wall section to illustrate his ideas, a model other presenters used, but hasn't actually done a deep energy retrofit yet. His model had 4" foam on the outside of the existing wall with battens to make a drainage plane, R40 walls and R60 roof, polyiso degrades to R6 per inch over 40 years.
Jonathan Kantar, Sage Builders: Brookline, 7000 sq ft house starting with HERS 149 and finishing with HERS 68, went from 11,800 cfm to 4,560 cfm, $2.60 per sq ft for thermal envelope (not including siding) for wall area, production cost. Air barrier, 1" polyiso, foil faced, seams taped and sealed, drainage plane.
Paul Eldrenkamp: "If you're an architect, you should spec a blower door test before the drywall goes up."
Simon Hare, Place Tailor: Pratt House in Roxbury, 700 sq ft, R45 walls and roof with R20 moveable insulation for windows, $249 per sq ft, no heating plant except heat recovery ventilation (HRV), one blower door test was at 300 cfm and after more work they had a second test at 60 cfm
Cador Pricejones, Byggmeister: Somerville, 4" spray foam on outside walls. HERS 120 to start and HERS 62 now. HERS of 50 with solar when it is installed. 25% reduction in heating so far this year. Project continues wall by wall, estimated cost of $117,000 for full exterior shell and attic, basement, new heating and DHW, PV
3000 sq ft, two units
Paul Eldrenkamp: "Every contractor should have a blower door."
Talking later with Ambrose Spencer about the evening, he recommended a suite of tools including a blower door, duct blaster, fog generator, infrared camera, manometer (pressure gauge) to measure infiltration and building tightness.
On Sunday, May 31, Cambridge's Home Energy Efficiency Team did a weatherization barnraising on the Unitarian church where this event was held. The church has hosted the BASEA meetings for a couple of decades as well as the Cambridge Forum. It was great to be able to give something back to them for all of their hospitality and kindness.
Information on state, local, Federal, and utility energy incentive programs: http://dsireusa.org
More slammin' insulation ideas:
Deep Energy Retrofits at the Solar Trade Show
Zero Net Energy Buildings at the Solar Trade Show and Beyond