Making a House Green

Ali KnaakHonors Research Project

Fall 2009

To discover the most effective changes that can be implemented in a home to minimize environmental impact while still considering budgetary constraints

Collect and clearly report information on how specific investments effect energy bills and environmental impact; specifically the carbon footprints

use the data collected to educate the public and students at Presbyterian College about energy and sustainability

Objectives

Current Energy Sources

Alternate Energy Sources

Current Energy Usage

Alternate Energy Usage

The Moorefield House

30 year ‘pay off’ time period set Seven years is the standard for average homeowner

Inflation

Criteria for Financial Analysis of the House

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Criteria for Environmental Analysis of the House

Ways to analyze the environmental impact are various and vast

Our definition only accounts for the carbon emitted during manufacturing and use

1kg of carbon = $0.2

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Piedmont Municipal Power Agency Catawba Nuclear Station, Lake Wylie, SC Impact of nuclear power Impact of coal power

Existing Energy Source

Current Energy Usage

Heater and Air Conditioner

Computers Refrigerator Copier Light Bulbs Insulation Windows Solar Panels Awnings

The Nine Components Examined

InsulationCurrent Component: 6” of Loose Fill Fiberglass Insulation (R-15)

“Green” Component: 6” more of Loose Fill Fiberglass Insulation (R-34)

Financial Impact:

Environmental Impact:

Recommendation: Do not purchase more insulation for the house

CopierCurrent Component: Kyocera KM-C3225E

“Green” Component: Kyocera Copier KM-C4035E

Financial Impact:

Environmental Impact:

Recommendation: Only purchase a new copier when the lifetime of the current one has ended

For Changing the Power Setting:

Financial Impact:

Environmental Impact: None

Copier continued

Recommendation: Immediately change the power setting on the current copier

Solar Panels

Current Energy Source: Nuclear Power, Catawba Nuclear Station

“Green” Energy Source: SunPower SPR-210 solar panels

Full Solar Financial Impact:

Full Solar Environmental Impact:

Partial Solar Financial Impact:

Partial Solar Environmental Impact: Recommendation: Purchase solar panels only if the objective is

education

Amount of sunlight passing through the windows for each month

Orientation of the home Intensity of the sunlight

Awnings

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Awnings

Current Component: No awnings

“Green” Component: Individual awnings with specific dimension for each size window and side of the house

Financial Impact:

Environmental Impact: None

Recommendation: Purchase awnings for all windows if budget allows

Component Financial ImpactEnvironmental

ImpactOverall

Heating Pump

Computers

Copier

Refrigerator

Light Bulbs

Windows

Insulation

Solar Panels

Awnings

“Green” Component Summary Analysis

Budget: $1,000 Purchase: 12 compact fluorescent light

bulbs, 3 computers Cost: $986.55 Changes: Change setting on copier

Recommendation: Minimum

Budget: $10,000

Option 1: Purchase: 12 compact fluorescent light

bulbs, awnings,10 computers Cost: $3,667.55

Option 2: Purchase: heating pump, 10 computers Cost: $10, 595

Recommendations: Moderate

Budget: $100,000 Purchase: double-pane windows, 10

computers, heating pump, 12 compact fluorescent light bulbs, awnings, solar panels

Cost: $62,444.75

Recommendations: Ideal

Piedmont Municipal Power Agency grant

Moorefield house

Computer program

Future of “Making a House Green”

Dr. Chad Rodekohr for overseeing and directing

Spencer Hardee and Dr. Josh Peterson for their assistance

All the workers of the Moorefield house for their cooperation

Thank you to. . .

WindowsCurrent Component: Single-paned Windows

“Green” Component: Double-paned Windows

Financial Impact:

Environmental Impact:

Recommendation: Purchase all new windows for the house if budget allows

RefrigeratorCurrent Component: 18.2 cu. ft. Top Freezer

“Green” Component: Energy Star rated Kenmore 18.2 cu. ft. Top Freezer

Financial Analysis:

Environmental Analysis:

Recommendation: Purchase a new refrigerator only when the lifetime of the current one has ended

Heating Unit and Air Conditioner

Current Component: Heil Heater and Air Conditioner

“Green” Component: Heating Pump

Financial Analysis:

Environmental Analysis:

Recommendation: Purchase heating pump if budget allows

Light Bulbs

Current Component: 12 Incandescent 60W bulbs

“Green” Component: 12 Compact Fluorescent 14W Bulbs

Financial Impact:

Environmental Impact:

Recommendation: Purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs immediately for the house

Computers

Current Component: 10 desktop computers of various types

“Green” Component: 10 Dell Optiplex 360 desktop computers

Financial Analysis:

Environmental Analysis:

Recommendation: Purchase computers if possible for any budget