Affordable housing through energy efficiency: The Northgate story

Technical Report · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10162937· OSTI ID:10162937

Diamond, R C; McAllister, J A; Feustel, H E; Patullo, C; Buckley, T

In this paper we evaluate a comprehensive retrofit and rehabilitation effort to improve the comfort, affordability, and energy efficiency of 336 low-income housing units. The units had complete shell retrofits, including new siding, air-infiltration barriers, new windows and doors, and both roof and foundation insulation. In addition, the existing electric-baseboard heating system was replaced with a new gas-fired boiler for each apartment. New programmable thermostats, refrigerators, and tenant education were also included in the retrofit package. The evaluation of the project included pre- and post-retrofit utility bill analysis, computer simulation to evaluate the cost and saving of the individual measures, and a comprehensive survey of the residents regarding their comfort, behavior, and satisfaction with the retrofits. The analysis has shown energy savings of more than 20% for the shell measures, with a reduction in utility bills of nearly 50% from the combined measures. The resident survey shows high tenant satisfaction with the retrofits.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 10162937
• Report Number(s): LBL--32167; ON: DE93015275
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320105
AIR INFILTRATION
BUILDING SERVICES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
GAS FURNACES
HOUSES
RETROFITTING
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
THERMAL INSULATION
THERMOSTATS