[Greenbuilding] Improve or Build New

[Steve Houlihan]

Drew,

Thank you for your thoughtful reply.

First, I am happy to see that you put energy saving first and energy 
generation last.  I agree with that philosophy.

What do you mean when you say "1000 gallons or therms"?  I do average about 
1000 gallons of propane each year before the ceiling insulation was 
installed.  I don't have a years worth of data since I did the insulation. 
How did you know?

I plan to replace the furnace this Summer, but then I planned to do it last 
Summer and never got to it.  I have no cooling system.  I don't need it, I'm 
in Santa Cruz,  about 10 miles from the coast in the redwoods.

Thanks again

Steve
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Drew A. Gillett, P.E." <deaneg at hotmail.com>
To: <sho11 at comcast.net>; <Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 6:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Improve or Build New


> the usual argument is build new and do it right. (mostly from those with a 
> vested interest in profiting from same.)
>
> many arguments lead to refurbishing the old:
> embodied energy
> environmental costs of the additional new building, its streets schools 
> utilities, etc.
> the home you vacate would still be in the stock or have to be retrofitted 
> anyway
>
>
>
> the fact that as it sits, it isn't that terrible. you don't say the heat 
> loss, but as a guess it results in 1000 gallons or therms per year.
>
> this could be halved with
> 1) a blower door test and associated air tightening  $2000
> 2) interior low-e storms $10000
> 3)solar domestic hot water $6000
> 4)foundation insulation $5000
> 5)possibly wall insulation if an interior remodel is contemplated. $5000
>
> for a total of 28000 (-2000-250 fed credtit)   to save  $1250 annually or 
> 20 year payback or 5% after tax rate of return--- not bad
>
> you could even add a kw of pv for 6666 -2000 credit   to save $100   for 
> dessert.
>
> congrats on taking the first step of reinsulating the roof.
> you might also consider a heating and cooling upgrade after completion of 
> above.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <sho11 at comcast.net>
> To: <Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 5:13 PM
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Improve or Build New
>
>
>>
>> I know there was some discussion about this topic a while back but I am 
>> curious what you all think of my situation.
>>
>> My present house seems to have been designed to be as bad as posssible in 
>> every way connected with energy efficiency.  It is shaded by trees and 
>> hills in winter and gets full sun in summer.  It has windows equalling 
>> 15% of the floor area facing west! There are a total of 33 windows! The 
>> walls have poorly installed R-11.  The raised wood floors have no 
>> insulation. The open beam ceiling/roof had a layer of Thermax foam 2 
>> inches thick.  I have since added 6 inches of Icenene and 6 inches of 
>> Fiberglass.  The windows are aluminum frame dual pane but older and 
>> somewhat leaky.  It is two story and 1900 sq ft.
>>
>> Here is the dilema.  I want to buy a lot and build a really efficient 
>> house.  It would suit my needs better, be cheaper to operate etc, etc.  I 
>> would feel good about adding a well built, energy efficient house to the 
>> local housing stock. Would it be a better solution than trying to improve 
>> the present house?
>>
>> What are the tradeoffs?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Steve
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>
>
>