<div dir="ltr">I took a post occupancy look at a 1925 bungalow that we gut renovated and added a very small addition to a few years ago. it was brick veneer--the earliest example I'd ever seen--so it gave us the opportunity to insulate the wall cavities, not to mention the roof. New Carrier Infinity equipment with Carrier ERV. <br>
<br>Even adding 15% to the original habitable area, we reduced natural gas usage by 60%. But the electrical usage spiked. Some of it was due to central air, replacing one or two window shakers, some due to a relatively inefficient ERV--but the rest was groovy lighting, a second TV installation, moving the old fridge to the basement for beer storage, etc. And I had forgotten until just this moment the outlet we installed by the toilet for one of those sybaritic seats...<div>
<br></div><div>The conclusion is that heat energy is relatively easy to manage, but cooling and electricity for amenities is a struggle. <br><br>see blog entry for 2-24-13 for more detail: <a href="http://www.abramsdesignbuild.com/2013/02/?cat=7">http://www.abramsdesignbuild.com/2013/02/?cat=7</a> </div>
<div><br></div><div>AA</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Nov 19, 2013 at 3:22 PM, John Salmen <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:terrain@shaw.ca" target="_blank">terrain@shaw.ca</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div lang="EN-CA" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">There are definitely a lot of factors. In looking to improve the efficiency of a leaky local waldorf school I was surprised to find that it consumed less energy than any other school in the province (on a per capita). But then no computers.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">I’ve lived in a number of old uninsulated homes. An old NA woodframe building will have ¾” plaster on ½” plaster and horse hair mix on ½” wood lathing. The base for the lathing was often a full layer of 1x sheathing boards. Framing was typically a full 2” and a lot of it. Layers of sheathing, siding built up interior and exterior mouldings and trim work add up substantially. So overall wood layers could add up to 3-4”. Significant interior mass with the walls. Substantial overhangs, recessed (cutting wind surface) and smaller windows (generally utilizing storm windows). Generally good siting and landscaping. Add 100 years worth of paint and caulking for air seal.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Compare that to a leaky house poorly insulated with badly installed r20 and double or triple the glazing and yes the old house could perform better.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #b5c4df 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm"><p class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> Greenbuilding [mailto:<a href="mailto:greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org" target="_blank">greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Reuben Deumling<br>
<b>Sent:</b> November-19-13 9:16 AM<br><b>To:</b> Greenbuilding<br><b>Subject:</b> [Greenbuilding] Old buildings = better energy performance; why? NYT<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div class="im"><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div><p class="MsoNormal">Thoughts?<u></u><u></u></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">"older buildings of every stripe, even those dating to the early 1900s, performed better than most structures from recent decades. Green-building experts say it is likely because they have fewer windows and thicker walls, which provide better insulation. "<u></u><u></u></p>
<div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""><br><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/nyregion/wide-differences-found-in-large-buildings-power-use.html?_r=0" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/nyregion/wide-differences-found-in-large-buildings-power-use.html?_r=0</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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</div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><font><font><span style="color:rgb(102,0,0)">Alan Abrams</span></font><b style="color:rgb(102,0,0)"><br></b><i><span style="color:rgb(102,102,102)">certified professional building designer, AIBD<br>
certified passive house consultant, PHIUS</span></i></font><div><i><span style="color:rgb(102,102,102)">certified passive house builder, PHIUS</span></i><font><span style="color:rgb(102,0,0)"><font color="#666666"><i><br>
</i></font></span><font><span style="color:rgb(102,0,0)">Abrams Design Build LLC</span></font><font size="4"><br style="color:rgb(102,0,0)"><font><i style="color:rgb(102,0,0)">sustainable design for <font>intentional</font> living</i></font></font></font><font style="color:rgb(102,102,102)" size="1"><font><br>
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