Retrofitting a 1960s Split-Level, Cold-Climate Home
- Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings, Norwalk, CT (United States)
National programs such as Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® and numerous other utility air sealing programs have brought awareness to homeowners of the benefits of energy efficiency retrofits. Yet, these programs tend to focus on the low-hanging fruit: air-sealing the thermal envelope and ductwork where accessible, switch to efficient lighting, and low-flow fixtures. At the other end of the spectrum, deep-energy retrofit programs are also being encouraged by various utilities across the country. While deep energy retrofits typically seek 50% energy savings, they are often quite costly and most applicable to gut-rehab projects. A significant potential for lowering energy usage in existing homes lies between the low hanging fruit and deep energy retrofit approaches - retrofits that save approximately 30% in energy over the existing conditions. A key is to be non-intrusive with the efficiency measures so the retrofit projects can be accomplished in occupied homes. This cold climate retrofit project involved the design and optimization of a home in Connecticut that sought to improve energy savings by at least 30% (excluding solar PV) over the existing home's performance. This report documents the successful implementation of a cost-effective solution package that achieved performance greater than 30% over the pre-retrofit - what worked, what did not, and what improvements could be made.
- Research Organization:
- Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings, Norwalk, CT (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1220508
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/GO-102015-4691; 7123
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Retrofitting a 1960s Split-Level Cold-Climate Home
Retrofitting a 1960s Split-Level, Cold-Climate Home
Related Subjects
CARB
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
SWA
Steven Winter Associates
residential
Residential Buildings
Building America
retrofit
1960 split level
cold climate
non-intrusive
30% energy savings
utility bill validation
dense-packed cellulose
closed-cell spray polyurethane foam
insulating from exterior
air barrier
moisture control layers
thermal barrier
improved comfort