Bay Area Home Performance – Renovation Success Story
In August of 2012, Eco Performance Builders successfully renovated a house (1239 College Avenue, Alameda) and turned it into one of the most Energy Efficient homes in the Bay Area. Using the highest standards of Home Performance and Green Building, the project was a major success and the home has been reported to be very comfortable and extremely energy efficient.
What is Home Performance? – “Home Performance is a philosophy and a science based on the premise that our homes should be safe, healthy, comfortable, durable, and efficient”
BEFORE AFTER
Here is a before and after list of the home performance components used on 1239 College Avenue:
(SEE BELOW TABLE FOR ALL OTHER PHOTOS)
Component | BEFORE | AFTER |
Crawlspace Moisture | A wet, humid, cold, unconditioned crawlspace that was an energy sink and contributing to poor indoor air quality. | Crawlspace Vapor Barrier – prevents moisture and air from entering the crawlspace and the home. |
Air Leakage | 1.13 Air Changes Per Hour. | 0.34 Air Changes Per Hour |
Heat Recovery Ventilation | Cold air coming from leaks in home. | Controlled amounts of filtered fresh air coming in and being warmed by outgoing air. |
Home Heating | 78% Efficient Furnace. It was loud, costly, old and incorrectly sized. | Combined Hydronic Air Handler System (95% Efficient) utilizing hot water from water heater to heat the home via central air ducts. Correctly sized, quiet, efficient, slow even comfortable heat. |
Duct System | 18% Leakage – R0 insulation – loud and improperly sized. | 1% Leakage – R8 Insulation – perfectly engineered allowing the correct amount of air flows to each room. |
Water Heater | 0.53 Energy Factor. | 0.92 Energy Factor – Eternal Hybrid Tankless Gas 1.9 gallon. |
Attic Insulation | No Insulation – R0. | Stabilized Blown in Cellulose to a level of R44. |
Wall Insulation | No Insulation – R0. | Wet-applied cellulose insulation in wall cavities R13. |
Floor Insulation | No Insulation – R0. | Formaldehyde free fiberglass batt insulation – R19. |
Windows | Single pane metal. | Low – E double pane vinyl. |
Lighting | Incandescent. | LED. |
Water Usage | Standard appliances and high flow shower heads. | Low flow plumbing fixtures and a planned out water delivery system that minimizes wasted water at the tap. |
Heat Recovery Ventilator
Engineered Sealed R8 Duct System
Combined Hydronic Air Handler Home Heating
Eternal Gas Hybrid Tankless Water Heater
R-44 Attic Insulation – Blown in Cellulose
Crawlspace Vapor Barrier
Get in contact:
[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”640px” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ] If you have questions about Home Performance, call (925) 363-4498 to speak with a technician. An energy assessment can be scheduled that will determine the most cost effective and energy efficient upgrades for your home. You can also e-mail: info@epbuilders.com[/dropshadowbox]
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