25% to 49%
of electricity
75% to 99%
of hot water
75% to 99%
of space heating
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Superinsulated 100 year old multi-family, leaves the boiler off and heats with microcombined heat and power system
25% to 49%
of electricity
75% to 99%
of hot water
75% to 99%
of space heating
Property
- Owner:
- Edith Buhs & Peter Thomson
- Type:
- Multi-Family Residence
- Address:
- 61 Hampstead Road #2, Boston, MA 02130
- Size:
- 3,500 sq ft
- Energy need met:
- 25% to 49% of electricity
- 75% to 99% of hot water
- 75% to 99% of space heating
- Designations:
- Deep energy retrofit
- Event Participation:
- NESEA Green Buildings Open House 2012 Host
Technology
- Type:
- Combined Heat & Power
- Installed:
- January 2011
- Purposes:
- To generate electricity
- To heat hot water
- For space heating
Financial Details
- Additional Financial Notes:
- With the co-generation/micro-combined heat and power, our electricity bill is typically below our utilities service charge for the coldest 3 months.
Professionals & Suppliers
- Installers:
- FreeWatt
- Builders:
- Byggmeister, Inc.
What You Need to Know
Description:
Co-Generation heating system for space heating and domestic hot water for 3 units. -Roof: Up to R-60 (closed cell spray foam + cellulose, interior only); existing slate roof retained -Walls: R-40 with 4" of polyisocyanurate rigid foam on exterior and blown-in cellulose in cavities -Basement walls: R-20 with a combination of spray foam
Other Benefits:
The house is QUIET and comfortable. Super-insulation project greatly increased comfort in summer too. Between the co-generating system and the super-insulation project we've reduced our carbon footprint and costs by about 75% since we bought the house 7 years ago.
Maintenance Requirements:
Very little to none.
Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:
Rigid Board Polyurethane, new fiberglass high performance windows, Deep Energy Retrofit, Rain Barrels, Super Insulated Walls/ Roof, concrete permeable pavers. This building had an existing slate roof that was left in place. Innovative techniques were used to insulate it and to connect the roof insulation to the wall insulation.
My Motivation:
to reduce our carbon footprint to bring down energy costs to beautify our home demonstrate the possibilities with a 100 year old home
Advice:
We did an extensive insulating project. You don't have to start where we did. Kick off with blown in cellulose and tightening up your house where you can. Spend as much money as you can on insulation and sealing, not windows. Upgrade your heating system as soon as you can and move away from oil if you're using it to heat.
Experience with Installer:
Byggmeister was great to work with. We've recommended them freely. Renovations of older homes always bring unexpected issues and problems will arise. Hire a contractor that you think you can work with in good times and bad. You'll have both.
Additional Notes:
We've been really happy with both our co-generation system and our deep energy retrofit. We plan to live in our house for the rest of our lives. This work makes it possible for us to envision doing that in comfort, with low costs and little maintenance over the next 30-40 years. This project was featured on DIY Network's "This New House."
Open House Info:
The home is in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, and is most easily accessible by public transportation. Take the Orange Line or a local bus to Forest Hills Head northwest out of the station to the intersection of South St., New Washington and Arborway Walk up Arborway 100 yards or so to Hampstead Road, on your right. Continue up Hampstead to the top of the hill. #61 will be on your right. Directions by car to the Open House: Take Route 203, Washington Street, South Street or Hyde Park Ave to Forest Hills From the intersection of South St. and Washington St., head north about 50 feet Take an immediate left on Arborway. Head up Arborway 100 yards or so to Hampstead Road, on your right. Continue up Hampstead to the top of the hill. #61 will be on your right.
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