Abstract
In 2009, Transformations, Inc. partnered with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America team Building Science Corporation (BSC) to build new net zero energy houses in three developments in Massachusetts. The company has been developing strategies for cost-effective super-insulated homes in the New England market since 2006. After years of using various construction techniques, it hasdeveloped a specific set of assemblies and specifications that achieve a 44.9% reduction in energy use compared with a home built to the 2009 International Residential Code, qualifying the houses for the DOE's Challenge Home. The super-insulated houses provide data for several research topics in a cold climate. BSC studied the moisture risks in double stud walls insulated with open cell sprayfoam and cellulose. The mini-split air source heat pump (ASHP) research focused on the range of temperatures experienced in bedrooms as well as the homeowners' perceptions of equipment performance. BSC also examined the developer's financing options for the photovoltaic (PV) systems, which take advantage of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, local incentives, and state and federal tax credits.
Original language | American English |
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Number of pages | 2 |
State | Published - 2013 |
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/FS-5500-60151
Other Report Number
- DOE/GO-102013-4068
Keywords
- air source heat pumps
- basement
- BSC
- Building America
- cold climate
- double stud walls
- high-R
- mini-split
- moisture monitoring
- photovoltaic system
- photovoltaics (PV)
- residential
- residential buildings
- slab-on-grade