A COMPENDIUM OF

PRETTY GOOD RENOVATIONS

IN THE NORTHEAST

 
 
 

“The greenest building is the one that is already built.”

Carl Elefante, preservation architect

There are over 85 million existing single-family houses in America. Roughly 40 million of them were built before the 1970’s oil crises… and the increased use of insulation and double-pane windows that followed. These old houses comprise the fabric of our neighborhoods, towns and cities. Most are well constructed. Many have elegant architectural details.  These are the places that many of us call home. They are worth preserving.

Cities and states are setting energy efficiency and decarbonization targets for the years 2030 and 2050. Much attention is being given to new construction, but it has been projected that 80% of the houses in 2050 already exist.  What are the best practices for stewarding existing homes for the 21st century?

  • How should we prioritize our actions, when undertaking a renovation?

  • How do we strike a balance between the concerns of historical commissions and the new energy codes that are being enacted?

  • What is the best way to weatherize a damp fieldstone basement? 

  • In the end, how do we know if we have done a good job? 

    The mission of this Compendium is to share the good work being done by contractors, architects, designers and homeowners around the Northeast.  We are all in this together.  By sharing what we got right… and what we got wrong… we will all get better faster.

 
 

CASE STUDIES

1. CONNECTICUT
a. TBD            

2. MAINE
a. Portland

3. MASSACHUSETTS
a. Arlington
b. Great Barrington
c. Sherborn
d. Somerville

4. NEW HAMPSHIRE
a. TBD

5. NEW YORK
a. Germantown
b. Stone Ridge

6. RHODE ISLAND
a. Providence 1
b. Providence 2

7. VERMONT
a. Bellows Falls
b. Dorset
c. Montpelier

 
 

RENOVATION METHODOLOGY

1. Assessment of Existing Conditions

2. Enclosure retrofits
a. Air sealing of envelope
b. Roof & attic insulation
c. Wall insulation
d. Windows & exterior doors
e. Basement insulation

3. Mechanical upgrades
a. HVAC system
b. Energy recovery ventilation (ERV)
c. Domestic water heater
d. Major appliances

4. Solar & Renewables
a. Solar voltaic panels (PV)
b. Solar batteries

 
 

PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION

1. Blower door testing
a. Before
b. After

2. Infrared camera diagnostics
a. Before
b. After

3. HERS Index & HERS Carbon Index
a. Before
b. After

4. Utility Bills
a. Before
b. After

5. Air Monitor
a. Before levels of indoor air pollution
b. After levels of indoor air pollution

 
 

RESOURCES

BOOKS

WEBSITES

ARTICLES & PAPERS

ORGANIZATIONS

 
 

A COMPENDIUM OF

PRETTY GOOD RENOVATIONS

IN THE NORTHEAST

 

STEWARDING HOMES & GARDENS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY