The Good Energy Blog
Stream of *Energy* Consciousness
This 40-unit Passive House development in the heart of Mission Hill is progressing through the various reviews and hearings with the City and the Neighborhood and is shaping up to be an important part of the fabric of the community.
We're excited to be a part of the team: Boston Green Development, Anderson/Porter Design, BuildSmart, PassivScience, Staengl Engineering, and look forward to kicking the project off this summer! Check out the recent feature in the Boston Herald!
Last week G.E.C. proved that a Deep Energy Retrofit can perform on par with new construction high-performance homes. Our Sudbury DER blew a 0.33 ACH50! The energy nerd crowd will recognize this as meeting AND beating the requirement for a Passive House. (The ultra-high performance building standard founded in Germany and now growing in popularity in the US).
The home also now boasts Wasco tilt-turn triple glazed windows, a Zehnder HRV, (Heat Recovery Ventilator), Mitsubishi heat-pump air handlers, all LED lighting, and a super insulated building shell, or "envelope" that far exceeds energy code.
Once a drafty aging Cape style home with poor thermal comfort, a seeping foundation and high energy bills, GEC lifted the home off its foundation to add three 8" courses of CMU block, creating a gracious living level on the sloping lot with walk-out access to the south facing back yard.
This presented the opportunity to insert a capillary break between the CMU and the wood frame of the house to prevent any moisture from wicking into the wood.
Durability measures added include a french drain and a passive radon vent, as well as a new insulated floor slab with a vapor and air control barrier.
Windows fill the lower level with light and remove any feeling of being in a basement. The home now has a new lease on life for the next 100 years as an example for the neighborhood to aspire to.
The Good Energy Construction team visited the ballpark last week to do blower-door testing and diagnostics to help Fenway identify energy savings opportunities with their luxury suites. As more off-season events are being scheduled, there is a need for better comfort and energy efficiency in the "sky-boxes". The Good Energy team will help Fenway weigh the choices and come up with the best options for energy retrofitting the all-season areas of this venerable ballpark...!
