In 2008, The Repurposed Home was hired to spear head a team of design and professional contractors to convert a three story, four unit, century old apartment building into a one family luxury brownstone. Working together the team's objective was to incorporate as many energy efficient systems and building materials afforded by the budget to create a home that was not only comfortable but also energy conscience."To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.energystar.gov/?c=new_homes.nh_features)." If a home meets these standards - is deemed ENERGY STAR rated - it runs at least 15% more efficiently than a typical home.
"ENERGY STAR certified homes can include a variety of 'tried-and-true' energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution (http://www.energystar.gov/?c=new_homes.nh_features)."
Specific to the brownstone conversion, close attention was paid to choosing effective/higher standard insulation and air sealing of the home's envelope and ducts, installation of high performance windows, choosing properly sized, high efficiency heating and cooling systems. Other features that added to the homes efficiency ranged from the inclusion of a programmable thermostat, IC rated lighting fixtures, Solatube - tubular daylighting device, Water Sense rated toilets and plumbing fixtures and an exterior water drip irrigation system for the back yard.
Beginning with the planning and prioritizing and ending with implementation and completion of project, the results clearly illustrate lower ownership cost - tax credits, resource efficiency, supplemental incentive, utility bills quantified to be significantly less than structures of similar size in Northern New Jersey. However, the larger environmental impact far exceeds the individual gain.
http://www.energystar.gov/?c=new_homes.nh_features
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