Energy Circle Founder/CEO Peter Troast's presentation to the American Institute of Architects' AIA+2030 lecture series.

1. The Mallett Deep Energy Retrofit
A Renovation for the Next 125 Years

2. Peter Troast
• Founder & CEO of Energy Circle
• Information Website and eCommerce store of user-tested Energy
Efficiency Gear
• Energy Monitors, Lighting, Smart Strips, Timers & Switches
• My house: Kill-a-Watt, Blueline, TED 1000, TED 5000, eMonitor
• Energy Efficiency Auditor/Contractor Web & Marketing Software
Platform
• 200+ Customers in 46 States, ME to CA to FL to AK
• Passionate About
• Deep Energy Retrofits
• Real time energy monitoring
• Success of home performance contractor sector
DATE 2

3. Deep Energy Retrofits
& Historic Preservation
Incompatible?
3

4. 39% 27%

5. Energy Use in the US
Use of Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions
27% 32%
transportation transportation
30%
industrial
34% 21%
industrial residential 20%
residential
18%
18% commercial
commercial
Source: US Energy Information Adm.
Buildings are the single largest user of energy
Buildings are the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions
5

7. If every home built from now until 2030 was
Net Zero
we’d reduce residential building energy by
~8%
7

8. 124 Million

9. US Housing Stock
Existing US Housing Stock, 1000’s
25,000
18,750
12,500
6,250
0
Pre1920 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
significant need moderate need some need for
for energy retrofit for energy retrofit energy retrofit
Sources: US Census Bureau, Annual Housing Survey.
9

10. The Challenge of Older Homes
Use More Energy
Pre-1940 homes use 32% more energy than 1980‘s
Average 120MM btu’s/house vs 81MM
Disproportionately Located in Cold Climates
Have Construction Details that are Energy Challenges
Basements and Crawl Spaces
Heavier use of fuel oil
10

11. But it’s only 14% of homes
pre-1940
11

12. 14%
equals
12

13. 180 Coal Plants

14. “super-insulated houses...an even
greater threat to historic housing
stock...than teardowns”
Sally Zimmerman
Historic New England
4.29.09
14

15. DATE 15

17. Defining Deep
17

18. Defining “Deep Energy Reduction”
• DOE Building America Program: 50%+ Reduction
Over Code
• ACI 1000 Home Challenge: 75-90% Reduction in
Actual Use--Not Modeled
• Measured on Actual or
• Measured Against Modeled based on
• Climate Zone, House Size, Occupants, Heat Sources
• Home Only--no transportation, embodied,
durable goods, vacations, consumables
DATE 18

19. Beyond Energy & Carbon
• Resiliency
• Affordability
• Durability
• Comfort
• Health
• Value
DATE 19

20. Naomi C. O. Beal Photo
57 Depot Street
Freeport, Maine

22. Oak Street, 1894

24. DATE 24

25. The Life of 57 Depot Street
1st Half 2nd Half
25

26. Freeport Retrofit Freeport, ME
 Source Energy Savings –
61% Deep Energy Retrofit
Warren Construction Group
Source Energy Parametric Annual Loads Study
© 2010
Building Science Day Month Year 26
Corporation

27. Parametric Energy Modeling
DATE 27

28. All About Air Sealing. 26% of Reduction
DATE 28

29. Next is Insulation: 8%
DATE 29

30. High Efficiency Furnace: 7%
DATE 30

31. Lower Impact
DATE 31

32. Breaking Out the Reductions
CFL Lighting
8%
96% Eff. Furnace
14%
Windows
5%
Air Sealing
53%
Insulation
21%
DATE 32

35. Insulating In vs Out
Advantages of Going In Advantages of Going Out
• Minimizes exterior impact visually • Can remain occupied
• Siding and roofing not impacted • Minimize code impact (stair widths)
• Windows remain in place • No impact to partitions, bearing walls
• Align with interior renovation? • Align with New Siding or Roofing or
Windows
• Plastic materials to the exterior
• Proven wall & roof assembly
DATE 35

48. The Cost of Federal Funding
1. Section 106 Review: National Historic
Preservation Act
2. HUD Rules: Low Bid Wins
DATE 48

49. “finding of adverse impact”
DATE 49

50. Compromises for Historic Preservation
• 2” Polyiso on Walls
• Insulate IN on Front Facade
• Marvin Triple Glazed vs Serious Windows (Muntins)
DATE 50

52. Our Attempt to Scare Off Builders
A Very Aggressive Air Tightness Standard
276 CFM50
DATE 52

53. Our Attempt to Scare Off Builders
An Absurd Very Aggressive Air Tightness
Standard
276 CFM50
“A few buildings have achieved air infiltration of less than the target.
Very few of these have been retrofit buildings. Buildings built with
board sheathing, and with rubble foundations, are inherently more
difficult to air seal. A target such as 276 CFM50, referenced in the
Specifications, is likely unachievable with the construction as
designed.”
Building Science Corporation
DATE 53

74. Progressive Testing!
DATE 74

77. Cost Evaluation
DATE 77

78. Biggest Mistake/Lesson: HVAC
Hybrid Gas Furnace and Air Source Heat Pump,
fully ducted, with integral HRV
• 2 Ton/15 SEER Trane Heat Pump (X2)
• 97% AFUE Trane Direct Vent Gas Furnace;60,000
BTU/h
• RenewAire EV200 200 CFM HRV(157 W @ 181
cfm)
Oversized (Manual J Cooling = 1.4 tons)
Hybrid = Expensive
DATE 78

79. DATE 79

80. Thank You!
Peter Troast
ptroast@energycircle.com
www.energycircle.com
@EnergyCircle
207-847-3644
DATE 80