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Choosing your top 10 for energywise house renovations.TRANSCRIPT
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Top 10 List For Energy Wise Home Renovation
Disclosure:All homes are different and cannot
be squeezed into a Cookie Cutter list.
However, the Physics of heat and moisture transfer remain constant
and a List of Concepts can be valuable as a “Beginning Point” of
thinking about a renovation project,Not an “End Point” which would
mean the End of Thinking! OK?
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
4 Areas Of Home Performance
1. Envelope
2. Comfort Systems
3. Safety & Air Quality
4. Water
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
The “Biggest HP Sin” = Failure To Address The Building Envelope
Possible Reasons:1. This is Hot Dirty Work
(Or Cold Dirty Work)(in tight places with spiders)
2. The Importance was not understood by Contractors or
especially Installers
3. It was not easily measurable by program managers and
grant writers
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Everything Is Disproportionate About The Building Envelope!Lower Cost
Harder WorkMore Savings
Harder to Inspect(Relative to the other
ingredients of the Home Performance Package)
This Is NOT The Place To Skimp!Bottom Line:
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Shell Seal The Attic
This is probably the biggest savings opportunity for the
cost involved. It is most often skipped because removing decades old insulation to
access these areas is no ones favorite work.
But if you ever expect to get to Net Zero, this part is
absolutely essential.
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Seal The Floor
Seal the floor the same as the floor of the attic.
Especially look for big holes like at the tub, toilet
and shower. Caulk and Foam all the smaller cracks.
Covering the ground with 6 mil poly has been shown to save way more than it costs. = a good decision.
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Shell Seal The Walls Including Those Holes Called Windows
Where Planes MeetIs Where The Mischief Is
Wall To CeilingWall To Floor
Specify Windows per Sun Exposure. Not just the same for the whole house.Seal them correctly to stop
not only water but also air and vapor
Detail from Green Building Advisor
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Seal The DuctsActually it is better to put the existing ducts in the dumpster. Then re
design a duct system with proper air flow and
plenty of filter area with ACCA Manual D and
install it with as short a runs as possible and as
much inside the envelope as possible. Then seal it
to 2-3% leakage and cover the part in the attic
with mountains of insulation and install good
low static registers.
Like This
Dont Forget To Insulate
This Boot
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Attic, Floor, Wall InsulationMore is better. You do expect
the house to last 100 years, dont you? Specify accordingly.
Minimize eave ventilation by placing it elsewhere
Consider re-insulating walls with exterior rigid insulation
Sealing the crawl space is a good idea. Sell your building
official first.
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
The Comfort SystemMini Split Heat Pumps
With SEER to 26Performance to 0 F& Zero Duct Loss& Ducted Options
You cant beat ‘em
You just have to ditch your American HVAC Supplier
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Appliances& Lighting
Incandescents are so last century.
Avoid can lights except to save a marriage. IC & AT if you
must have themCFLs are on their way out.
LED’s are gaining market shareNot all Energy Star Appliances are created equal. Read the Labels
and Compare.Consider a TED for biofeedback
The Energy DetectiveControls may save more than the
appliances they control (photo & motion & power strips)
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Safety & Indoor Air QualityAbout 400 people die each year of Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning.
Make SURE you dont contribute to this statistic.
CO testing should be done by your licensed & trained HVAC
contractor
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Ventilation On PurposeSeal It Tight & Vent It Right
That means Mechanically on purpose.
Minimum is good bath fans on timers.
Better is HRV - ERV
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
Water
Water as LiquidSealingGrading
French Drain
Water as VaporVapor Barriers
Vapor can dry to the outside or the inside.
Make sure you have plan.
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
WaterHeating Water
Condensing Water HeaterHeat Pump Water Heater
Solar Water Heater
Water Heat Recovery Pipe
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SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
WaterSaving Water
Two Stage ToiletsLow Flow Showers, Sinks
Low Usage Clothes & Dish Washers
Low Water LandscapeBuffalo Grass & Native PlantsDrip Irrigation
Rainwater catchment Buffalo Grass Developed at UC DavisMust be planted as plugs or stolons.
SavingThe PlanetOne HouseAt A Time
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m © 2010
So There Is One Man’s Top 10I Hope It Makes You Think!
Thinking about YOUR house:
What would you add to the list?
What wouldn’t make your Top 10?
Put dollar estimates next to each of these.
Does cost change the Top 10?
This is the Tension where the Energy Wise House Flipper Lives
It’s a good thing