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The properties listed below will be open for tours during the
2009 Green Buildings Open House
on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009, from 10 am to 4 pm.
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Racheal Stuart and Kate Hartnett
Site Address 431 Willard Street, Berlin, NH 03570
Google Map of Address
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Region North Country
Builder owner rennovated
Year Built 2005-08
Window brand WINDOWS: All replacement Bonneville Gold double hung, U value 0.32, foamed at edges (except original in Living Room, covered at night, and kitchen buffered by closed south porch).
General InformationBACKGROUND: This renovated bungalow in downtown Berlin reduces demand for heat and light by capturing winter sunlight, and by the improved “envelope” of walls, roof, and windows. The envelope also minimizes the need for summer cooling. The house is a 2 story bungalow, with 1,300 sq. ft. of living space. It was built in 1910; with a two story addition in 1955. We renovated it in four phases, 2005-08. The design goal was to minimize annual operating cost and maintenance, and maximize comfort. What we did:
2005-07 UPGRADE ENVELOPE (Phases 1 and 2): Energy audit #1, visual and blower door test. Removed attic rock wool and knob and tube wiring, two layers of exterior shingles, and old 1950’s fiberglass insulation in the addition. Added windows on the south for passive solar winter heat gain. New wiring, attic air sealing, additional air sealing, blown-in cellulose insulation. Replaced remaining old vinyl windows. New Hardi-plank siding over taped ½” rigid fanfold insulation. New metal roof, with some additional rigid insulation over under-insulated areas (white roof on addition because of low slope and opportunity to reduce summer heat gain). Energy audit #2, with infrared and blower door. Reuse top cabinets in kitchen.
2007 NEW BOILER (Phase 3): Repiped supplies/returns. System 2000 for heat and hot water.
2008 BATH REMODEL/INSULATE BASEMENT (Phase 4): Gutted bathroom. Removed last knob and tube wiring. Added maximum spray foam in ceiling and exterior walls, then 1” foil faced rigid under DensShield and Kerdi waterproofing. Insulated basement to below grade w/1.5” spray foam.
THE “SPECS”:
AIR SEALING AND INSULATION:
Attic: covers approx. 500 sq ft at around R45-50 (15”dense pack cellulose)
Walls: clear wall around R18; whole wall around R 15-16
Cross section: sheetrock or plaster (R 0.5); true 2” x 4” wood stud exterior walls filled w/dense pack cellulose (R 14.8 @3.7/in); Taped ½” fanfold (R 2) over pine planking (R 0.5) on exterior; HardiPlank cement clapboards R 0.5)
North and South Kneewalls: mix of cellulose and fiberglass batting
WINDOWS: All replacement Bonneville Gold double hung, U value 0.32, foamed at edges (except original in Living Room, covered at night, and kitchen buffered by closed south porch).
ENVELOPE TIGHTNESS IN AIR CHANGES/HOUR: BEFORE—1.13 AFTER—LESS THAN 0.2
VENTILATION: Panasonic exhaust fans in kitchen and main bathroom; 2” boiler air supply
HEAT/HOT WATER: Oil-fired System 2000. BEFORE—1,100 gals/yr AFTER—450+/- gals/yr
ELECTRIC: All phantom loads on power strip. Bulbs CFL. Need to replace refrigerator soon.
PAYBACK: About 4-6 years, using August 2008 oil costs.
Rte 16 to Berlin West on High St to River Street Left, down hill two blocks Second house on right, green, rose trim