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EarthCraft House Renovation – Case Study
Renovator: Pinnacle Custom Builders
Location: Decatur, GA

Synopsis: Existing home is a 1300 square foot single story single-family home on a vented crawlspace. The homeowners would like to gain living space by adding a second story while improving the energy efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality of their home. Cost is a factor and the renovation must follow budget guidelines. The EarthCraft House renovator worked with the homeowners to develop a scope of work that would meet their design expectations while minimizing the environmental impact of the renovation.

The Result: The homeowners achieved the objective of increasing their living space in an efficient and healthy manner and have reported their utility bills are lower than before, despite doubling the size of their home. The extensive recycling and reuse efforts employed for this renovation resulted in nearly all waste materials being diverted from landfills.
Original home:
Structure: ~1300 sq. ft. single story
Air Infiltration: 1.50 ACHnat
Duct Leakage: 44%
Heating Equipment 75 AFUE gas furnace in crawlspace
Cooling Equipment 8 SEER AC
Crawlspace Exposed dirt w/debris
  No functional vapor barrier
  Uninsulated floor above with multiple air-leakage sites to living space
Attic R-15 insulation on attic floor
  Multiple air-leakage sites to living space

Click here to view a condensed version of the EarthCraft House Renovation worksheet for this home
Renovated home:
Structure: ~2600 sq. ft. Two stories
Air Infiltration: 0.50 ACHnat
Duct Leakage: 1st floor: 8% (sealed existing ducts)
 2nd floor: 2.8% (installed new ducts)
Heating Equipment 90+ AFUE gas furnace in crawlspace
  8.0 HSPF heat pump in attic
Cooling Equipment 14 SEER AC (1st & 2nd floors)
Crawlspace Debris removed
  Complete vapor barrier installed
  Floor above sealed and insulated with R-19 open cell spray foam
Attic Radiant barrier integrated into new roof decking
  Air-leakage sites to living space sealed
  R-30 blown insulation installed on attic floor

The process: All new construction in this renovation met or exceeded International Energy Conservation Code requirements. IN addition to taking measures to reduce the energy consumption and environmental impact of the completed home, this project had a strong focus toward a sustainable renovation process and improved indoor air quality of the home. Paints and finishes low in volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) were used. Proper waste management and the reuse and recycling of construction materials were priorities. Hardwood removed from this home was used as flooring in another home. Doors and other materials and components were reused on site.

 

EarthCraft House is a program of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface with support from government and industry leaders.
Southface Energy Institute, 241 Pine Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
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Greater Atlanta Home Builders Assoc. Southface