Author Archives: synadminx
New Construction Zero Energy LEED Platinum
This Concord Custom Home demonstrates what’s possible when starting from a clean sheet of paper and an eye towards sustainability. Building from the ground up, all the facets of sustainable design and construction have been addressed. Solar alignment, air quality, rain water management, super insulation, day lighting, certified lumber, … Continue reading
Posted in New Construction, Projects
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Arlington 2-family Retrofit. The most famous Deep Energy Retrofit in the world.
The Arlington 2-family is a project which started as a man with a dream, and expanded to include Synergy Construction, Building Science Corp, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, NStar, consultants, sponsors, a wide swath of America’s press corp, references in U.S. congressional committees, and a … Continue reading
Posted in Projects, Retrofit
Tagged deep energy retrofit, DOER, Nstar, super insulation, utility sponsored
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What is a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)?
A Heat Recovery Ventilator is a simple blower and heat exchange which heats up incoming fresh air by salvaging the heat of outgoing stale air. The only moving part is the blower. How Much will my Heating Costs Decrease? This … Continue reading
Will Super-Insulation Make In-Door Air Quality Worse?
Far from it. Actually Air quality improves, significantly. Through the stack effect, old leaky homes loose air from the roof while drawing air in through the dingy, dark and moldy gaps in walls and basements. That’s no good. When homes … Continue reading
Is it Crazy to Place Insulation on the Exterior of the Home?
Actually it’s crazy not to. Insulation in wall cavities is easy to do badly and far from effective when done well. In a Traditional Home: 25% of the home is rafters, studs, rim joists, the bones of the home. These … Continue reading
How does Synergy perform a Deep Energy Retrofit?
Synergy primarily uses a system developed and tested by Building Science Corp. which comes with decades of real world use in real world homes. Roof Retrofit insulation installed the attic between the rafters if accessible 4″ – 6″ of rigid poliso on the … Continue reading
When Should a Home Owner Consider Super Insulation?
New Construction Every home to be built should be built with super insulation. In New Construction and Additions, the case and economics of high levels of insulation is clear and compelling. It is simply silly to build a new home in … Continue reading
What is a Zero Energy Home?
A Zero Energy Home is a home which produces as much energy in one year as it uses in one year. This is a home which has maximized energy efficiency though Super Insulation, and the installation of high efficiency lighting, … Continue reading
Posted in FAQ, What is a Zero Energy Home?
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What is a Deep Energy Retrofit (DER)?
A Deep Energy Retrofit project upgrades an existing building with super insulation and other efficiency improvements. Unlike a weatherization project which seeks marginal improvements in efficiency, a DER is expected to result in dramatic improvements in efficiency, of 50% – … Continue reading
What is Super Insulation?
The accepted definition of Super Insulation, is an insulation level of R60 in the roof, R40 in the walls, and may include R20 in the basement walls and R10 under the basement floor depending on the project. Air sealing is … Continue reading
Posted in FAQ, What is Super Insulation?
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