[Greenbuilding] energy efficiency and renovations

[Bob]

Amelia,

I agree with most of the advice you've already received.  However, I 
can't resist adding a bit of spin.
Getting blower door testing on the existing house will identify the 
existing air leakage pathways and provide you a baseline to use 
evaluating that hidden aspect of the renovation. 

I also recommend getting an experienced  HERS Energy Rater, presumably 
the one who did the BD testing, involved at the planning stage.  (S)he 
should be able to provide the input on how to combine the other 
suggested measures for the best results.  There are many good energy 
analysis programs out there but, assuming you cannot implement all of 
the good advice, a Rater is experienced in comparing the effect on 
efficiency of different combinations of features.

Good luck with the project(s).
Bob Klahn
YS Building Science
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
> If you were doing a serious renovation, what are the top 5 things you
> would do to maximize a home's energy efficiency?
>
>  
>
> Amelia LoDolce
>
> Sustainable Development Planner
>
> Department of Planning, Housing & Community Development
>
> City Hall, 38 Hawley St
>
> Binghamton, NY 13901
>
> (607) 772-7028
>
> anlodolce at cityofbinghamton.com
>
> www.cityofbinghamton.com
>
>  
>
>  
>
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