BCM showcases local deep-energy retrofit project
Written by TechPurdue // June 8, 2012 // Admitted Students, Alumni & Friends, Building Construction Management, Business & Industry, Current Students, Faculty & Staff, Latest College News // 1 Comment
The house on Ulen Lane before work began.
For several Saturdays this summer, a transformed house will be open to the public to showcase energy efficient improvements for existing homes.
The house, located at 2150 Ulen Lane in Lafayette, will be open every Saturday, June 9-July 28, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
A joint effort between the City of Lafayette and Purdue’s Department of Building Construction Management in the College of Technology, the project is considered a deep-energy retrofit. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and Neighborhood Sustainability Program funds.
The retrofit began by gutting the interior to the wall studs. In addition to the energy fixes, the team added a third bedroom, bathroom and rear garage.
The updates in the home include:
- 4.0 kw PV solar system
- Solar tubes in the bathrooms for natural light
- Energy efficient lighting
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures
- Energy Star-rated appliances
- Heat pump water heater
- Better air seals to the attic, in wall plates and around duct work
- Better insulation in the crawl space, walls and attic
- New high-efficiency heating and cooling system
- Triple-pane windows
Read the initial announcement about the deep-energy retrofit project.
Read the official Purdue news release about the project.
One Comment on "BCM showcases local deep-energy retrofit project"
I think it’s great that you chose a very ‘average’ home for this refit as it will probably give a better indication of what ‘green’ retro-fits have realistic potential for uptake by ‘average’ people.
In the UK, until recently, items like solar panels, heat pumps, and triple glazing were only really taken on by above average income households. I say recently, as there has been some subsidy in this area, but it has arguably still favoured the more affluent.
It will also be interesting to see, if you are able to record some accurate data on the financial savings that this house can produce, as I still think that ‘going green’ on purely an environmental level is not quite enough of an incentive for most householders – especially in financially troubling times.
I look forward to seeing more reports about your house.
Best,
Julian