Description:

National Grid Deep Energy Retrofit and ACI's Thousand Homes Challenge. Energy Star Homes Certification Features: -Closed Cell Foam and ridgid foam (R52 roof, R39 wall, R21 foundation, R10 basement floor, R5 windows/doors) LaPolla Industries -Ultra low air leakage rate (Htg: 584 Clg: 584 CFM50) -96% efficient condensing AO Smith Vertex 100 100k BTU Water Heater (Hydro Air) -Venmar EKO 1.5 HRV -90% LED/10% fluorescent Philips lighting -High-efficiency Bosch appliances (Boston Appliance) -Bryant Evolution 187B Condenser 16 SEER Bryant AC unit. 2.5 ton. 13.5 EER -Sealed combustion 25k BTU natural gas fireplace (Napoleon) -Powerhouse Dynamics eMonitor whole home monitoring

Other Benefits:

Good air quality, excellent sound insulation, low-cost of operation.

Maintenance Requirements:

13 months after moving into the home, the maintenance does not seem to be unusual for a home. As there is unbelievable amounts of insulation, planning ahead carefully is critical as any exterior penetrations or interior work is complicated by the insulation and airsealing in place.

Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:

-Zero VOC Benjamin Moore Natura paints -Strand Bamboo flooring from Cali Bamboo -Cosentino recycled stone countertops

My Motivation:

Environmental stewardship and opportunity to participate in an cutting edge construction pilot.

Advice:

Select your contractors very carefully and understand your motivations clearly. The financial returns on some decisions will be clear while others uncertain.

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