A GUIDE TO KASPRZAK ENERGY EFFICIENT CONDOMINIUM HOMES

Transcription

1 A GUIDE TO KASPRZAK ENERGY EFFICIENT CONDOMINIUM HOMES DESIGN CONSTRUCTION PERFORMANCE OPTIONS

2 We go the extra mile to explain to our condo buyers how and why we design, engineer and build our energy smart homes. Every home we build provides years of exceptional performance, energy savings and comfort as well as being environmentally friendly. Steve Kasprzak, President Kasprzak Homes, Inc. Hybrid Energy Saving Construction... Taking a Closer Look Walking around any home, it s almost impossible to tell what energy savings features the building offers. Most are hard to see by a simple visual inspection. Is there a thermal break in the exterior wall (barrier to heat loss)? Are the windows double or triple low-e thermo pane glass? Are the ceilings and/or roofs well insulated, with a high R-value? Should you install Cold Weather (CW) heat pumps to heat your home in the winter and to cool it in the summer? Is the heating system not only efficient and cost effective, but also, how clean is the fuel it uses? Should you install photo voltaic panels to offset your electrical requirements? Should you install a gas parlor stove? Should you install a heat pump water heater (which is the most efficient way to heat your water)? Are LEDs a better choice than CFLs for lighting? Answers to these and other related questions help determine how energy efficient the home really is, and how best to heat and cool it. Energy efficiency and performance is what Hybrid Energy Savings Construction is all about. For our company, this means cost effective application of state-of-the art architectural design and building techniques, combined with the careful selection of premium components, including insulation, windows, heating systems and alternative solar energy systems. Building Cost Effective Energy Efficient Homes Since 1972 I m Steve Kasprzak, President of Kasprzak homes, Inc., and the year 2017 will be my 46th year in residential construction. I helped my father build the family camp on Ossipee Lake in Waterboro, Maine in 1957 when I was 14 years old and built my first home for my family in Waterboro in Since 1972, various Kasprzak entities have built more residential homes and condominiums in Maine than any other company. For quality, energy savings and reliability, Kasprzak designed and built homes have always outpaced the competition. Today we reaffirm our commitment to energy efficiency and performance no matter the size or configuration of the homes we build. For example, a Kasprzak condominium with an average of 2,000 square feet of living space typically requires only 500 to 600 gallons of fuel oil annually for the combined baseboard heat and domestic hot water. Now we offer more options that can help reduce oil and electric consumption even further, such as cold weather (CW) heat pumps and a solar array on your roof.

3 Kasprzak Exterior Walls With a Thermal Break Ensure Energy Savings In the early 1970s most homes in Maine were framed with 2 x 4 studs 16 o. c. and were insulated with Kraft faced 3½ fiberglass insulation in between the studs. As you can readily see in the sketch to the right, insulating only in the cavities, between the studs, does nothing to insulate the many wood framing pieces in the wall. These wood pieces are a thermal bridge, allowing significant conduction (heat loss) from the interior heated space. The amount of wood in a typically framed wall can represent as much as 20% of the wall area. This represents a very big thermal bridge and heat loss! to the interior of the studs and 3 ½ inches of fiberglass (R-13) between the 2 x 4 studs for a total R-value of 19. The 1inch thick energy board is aluminum foil faced and is taped at all of the joints, creating a thermal break (barrier against heat loss) across all of the wood framing in the exterior walls. WOOD-FRAME HOUSE CONSTRUCTION In the late 1970s, Maine s building code standards for exterior wall insulation increased from R-13 (3½ inches of fiberglass) to R-19 (6 inches of fiberglass). At that time, most builders switched from 2 x 4 wall construction to 2 x 6 wall construction to accommodate the 6 inches of insulation. Although there is more insulation in the wall cavities, the 2 x 6 wood studs still represent a thermal bridge allowing significant conduction (heat loss) from the interior heated space. With the cost of energy on the rise and recognizing the importance for a thermal break across these framing members, Kasprzak-built homes met the new code requirement of R-19 with continuous 1-inch energy board (R-6) insulation applied Framing covered with ZIP Wall System sheathing that contains foam insulation on the inside provides a thermal break from the exterior.

4 In 2017 Kasprzak Took the Next Step with Cutting Edge Technology Using the Zip Wall System. Zip System has Developed a New Sheathing with the Thermal Break (Foam Insulation) Attached to the Interior Side of the Sheathing. 5-In-1 System with Layers of Innovation 1. Continuous Foam Insulation Provides Higher R-Value 2. Engineered Wood Provides Structure and Durability 3. Built-In Water Resistive Barrier Eliminates Building Wrap and Felt 4. Continuous Air Barrier Contributes to Greater Energy Efficiency 5. ZIP System Flashing Tape Securely Seals Panel Seams With the Zip Wall System, We are Using 2 X 4 Framed Walls with Kraft Faced 3 ½ Fiberglass Insulation R-15 Between the Studs and 2 ½ Zip R-12.6 Sheathing for a Total R-Value Of R-27.6, Which Exceeds the Minimum State Code Requirement of R-20. We believe this is an excellent energy efficient product and makes insulating homes simple. Each panel delivers added R-value combined with superior air and moisture resistance and exceptional strength and durability. Installation is a quick, two-step process that eliminates the need for housewrap. And with multiple thicknesses available, ZIP system R-sheathing makes it easy to build a tight house while meeting the requirements for new energy codes and green building programs. 5

5 How Insulation Works and Understanding R-Values Insulation slows the rate of heat transfer, helping keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. How well insulated a home is can be determined by how comfortable it is and how much one spends on energy for heating and cooling. The R-value applied to any material is its capacity to resist heat transfer. The R-value of most commercially available insulations varies in the range of R-3 per inch to around R-6 per inch. The higher the number, the more a material resists heat to transfer. A typical section of a cold climate wall will range from R-18 to R-24, depending on materials used and the building codes. But there is far more to determine the actual or true R-value of a complete wall system. Insulation materials (like batts of fiberglass or panels of foam) have their own specific R-value, but if they are spaced between wooden studs, the lower R-value of the studs must be factored in when determining the true R-value of the wall. Wood has an insulation value of approximately R-1 per inch, which is very low, so it brings down the overall R-value significantly. The fiberglass insulation bats in a 2 x 6 wall may have a total R-value of 20, but when you factor in all the wood at R-1 per inch, the true R-value of the building envelope would be consistently lower. Environmentally Friendly Cellulose Insulation We use blown-in cellulose insulation to a depth of 14 inches (R-52) in all the areas with flat ceilings. It is a natural wood product, and 75% of what its made from is recycled newspaper and fire-retardant additives which gives the material a Class-1 fire rating, making it an extremely safe product. One of the biggest advantages of using cellulose is its performance value. Because of its tighter density, it has a higher R-rating per inch of material and outperforms many common insulation products such as fiberglass. Its loose nature makes it easier to install into irregular space areas, creating a custom-fit monolithic seal over an entire area. From both health and environmental perspectives, cellulose is considered a green product and ecologically very sound. It contains no formaldehyde, and cancer warnings are not required on the labeling. Blown-in R-52 cellulose insulation material in a condo attic area. Triple Glazed Windows Multiple Glazings Low-E Coating Krypton &/ or Argon Gas We specify the multiple-glazed Paradigm window made here in Maine. These premium windows offer a ¾ inch triple glazing with two Low-E coatings as well as Krypton and/or Argon gas. The windows with grilles have a U-value of 0.21 or R-value 4.76, and the windows without grilles have a U-value of 0.18 or R-value of The minimum U-value specified in the code is 0.35, which is an R-value of These windows significantly exceed Maine s minimum building code specifications. Left window is single pane glass, right window is double thermopane. Darker colors indicate heat loss.

6 Should You Install A Gas Parlor Stove? We recommend this option for the enjoyment and peace of mind these stoves provide. These stoves do not need electricity to operate, and thereby, provide a heat source during power outages. I have installed these units in my own home, as well as in the basement of my camp. I set the thermostat at 48 on the camp stove in winter. If the power goes out and the temperature in the basement drops below 48 F, the stove will come on automatically. This same application can be used to help protect your condominium against a freeze-up if you go away during the winter and there is a prolonged power outage. The temperature was -4 at my home in Cape Porpoise on one of the days I was writing the draft of this brochure. On mornings like this I turn on the parlor stove and enjoy both the supplemental heat and ambiance it instantly provides. Steve Kasprzak Super Store Contender Indirect Hot Water Tank In concert with the Viessmann boiler, we specify the Super Store Contender indirect hot water tank. This tank has a 2-inch thick R-17 foam insulation and allows less than ½ F of heat loss per hour from the storage tank. The water in the storage tank is maintained, cycling at 120. If no domestic hot water is being called for, it could be as long as 40 hours before the furnace is needed to heat the domestic hot water. As a result, the homeowner will find a significant savings in annual fuel oil usage. *Viessmann Vitodens 100 Natural/LP Gas High Efficiency Condensing Boiler*. The Oil Fired Viessmann Boiler with Triple Pass Heat Exchanger In the early 1970 s, popular inexpensive baseboard electric heat and electric hot water heaters were the standard in the industry. They were replaced with oil-fired boilers with single-pass heat exchangers for hot water baseboard heat. These boilers have a coil in the boiler to heat the domestic hot water. These furnaces operate 24 hours a day, year round, and boiler water temperature cycles between 180 to 200 F since the hot water in the boiler is used to heat the domestic hot water. Even in the summer time, the furnace continues to fire up every time the water in the boiler drops to 180 F; even if you re away on vacation, and there is no demand for any domestic hot water. We began specifying European designed and engineered Viessmann boilers with a triple pass heat exchanger in 2005 as our standard heating unit. The triple pass heat exchanger increases the efficiency of the boiler and means less heat is going up the chimney. Older furnaces with single pass heat exchangers have a typical chimney flue temperature of 500 to 600 F. Boilers with a triple pass heat exchanger have a typical flue temperature of 350.

7 Heat Pump Water Heater If you take the credit for removing your furnace and hot water baseboard heating system, then you need to choose another appliance to heat the domestic hot water in your home. A heat pump hot water heater is a very efficient way to heat your water. These heaters remove heat in the surrounding air and transfer the captured heat to the water. We specify the Premier Hybrid from State Water Heaters. According to their literature: The Premier Hybrid Electric heat pump can reduce water heating costs up to 71% and provide payback in 2-3 years, with annual savings of $437 or more.... Light Emitting Diode (LED) Bulbs are the Best Choice In 2007, we replaced all the incandescent light bulbs in our condos (except for those used in recessed lighting), with energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps, commonly called CFLs. The advantage of this type of lamp is that it uses about a quarter as much electricity as regular bulbs and lasts several times longer. We are now using LEDs instead of CFLs throughout our homes, including the recessed lighting bulbs. The LEDs use less energy than the CFLs, have a longer life span, do not contain toxic mercury, and they turn on instantly without need for a warm-up period. If you have a monthly electric bill of $100 then $40 of that bill is for lighting. Using LEDs lowers the monthly part of your lighting bill to approximately $10, a savings of $30 a month, or $360 for the year. "State" heat pump hot water boiler How do LEDs compare? Incandescent Halogen CFL LED *Viessmann Vitorond 100 Cast Iron Triple- Pass Wet Base Boiler* Annual cost of operation/ bulb* Lumens per watt Percent more efficient than incandescent $6.57 $4.73 $1.64 $ *Based on $.15/kwh for 2 hours per day of 800 lumens 28% 75% 83%

8 In purchasing a Kasprzak Energy Efficient home, you are not only making an investment for the future, but also saving money on heating and cooling now and in the years ahead... Kasprzak Wants to Help You Choose the Heating and Cooling Systems that are More Environmentally Friendly and Cost Efficient Replacing an Oil Fired Furnace with Heat Pumps to Heat Your Home and Domestic Hot Water is Cleaner... But We Can Do Much Better Tim King wrote the following in the Fall 2016 issue of Green & Healthy Maine Homes: Let s assume a typical household in 2015, uses 500 kwh of electricity per month or a total of 6,000 kwh per year. NextEra s contribution to air emissions in Maine contains pounds of carbon dioxide per 1,000 kwh and thereby a typical house releases 5,864 pounds per year. In the last 3-4 years, heat pumps have quickly risen to become the go to solution for Mainers in search of a cleaner, more efficient and less expensive way to keep their homes warm during winter... many air source heat pumps can deliver an equivalent amount of sufficiently heated or cooled air for as little as one quarter of the cost of operating a conventional heating or cooling appliance. Our commitment to protecting the environment for future generations is reflected in our ongoing energy efficient practices. It may be less expensive to operate these CW heat pumps, but the electricity being used to operate them is not as clean as one would believe. For example, electricity to our three neighborhoods in Gorham, Topsham and Wells is delivered by Central Maine Power (CMP), but the electricity itself is supplied by another utility. Air emissions from NextEra (CMP s energy supplier in 2015), contained lbs. of carbon dioxide per 1,000 kwh of electricity generated per Central Maine Power s web page. This was 19.07% higher than the New England average for that year. If you are burning 500 gallons of oil per year you would be releasing 11,145 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air per year. (See Assume you replaced the oil furnace with heat pumps to heat your home and domestic hot water and use 6,000 kwh of electricity to power those pumps. NextEra s air emissions would release 5,864 lbs. of carbon dioxide. Using the oil furnace for heating with your normal electrical use results in an annual carbon emissions of about 17,000 pounds (5,864 lbs + 11,145 lbs) compared to about 12,000 pounds (5,864 lbs + 5,864 lbs) if you eliminate the oil and use heat pumps. THIS IS A DRAMATIC 30% REDUCTION IN YOUR CARBON EMISSIONS!

9 Cost Analysis to Replace Furnace & Baseboards with a Hybrid Heat Pump System to Heat & Cool Your Home Credit for eliminating oil or gas furnace, baseboard piping and chimney $ (-21,000) Typical hybrid system made up of one cold weather heat pump with three $ 22,850 indoor units, one standard heat pump with two indoor units and four resistive wall heaters to heat and cool Savings because air conditioning option with standard heat pump with $ (-17,550) typical five indoor air handling units is not needed State Water Heaters with a heat pump in basement to provide domestic $ 3,000 hot water $ (-12,700) In summary, if you use the standard oil or gas fired furnace in your new condominium, it will cost $17,550 to add optional air conditioning. If you decide to put in the hybrid heat pump system to heat and cool the home then you do not need to install the optional air conditioning system. SOLAR ENERGY The Power of the Sun Optional Solar Panel Array Eliminating the oil system has reduced the carbon footprint of your new home by about 30 percent, because the heat pumps operate with electricity delivered by Central Maine Power(CMP) and supplied by others. These suppliers appear to be chosen more on price being offered instead of how clean their air emissions are. You can reduce the air pollution caused by these suppliers by replacing their electricity with electricity generated by solar panels mounted on the roof of your new home. These solar panels will significantly reduce the amount of electricity you will need to purchase from CMP, and its suppliers and thereby reduce your carbon footprint to ensure a cleaner environment. A solar array with a projected annual energy output of 10,000 to 11,000 kwh would cost installed in 2017 an estimated $26,000. The cost of the solar panel array would be $18,200 after the homebuyer takes advantage of the available federal tax credit of 30%. If one applies the $12,700 savings with a hybrid heat pump energy system, then the cost of $18,200 for the solar array would be approximately reduced to $5,500. What is Solar Energy? Solar energy is quite simply energy from the sun. This highly reliable and trustworthy energy is in the form of solar radiation, which makes the production of solar electricity possible. The sunlight or sunrays are capable of generating electricity since they contain photons, which are converted into conductive electrons. When the sun s energy is converted into solar power it can be used for your home. Investing in a Kasprzak condominium is one of the best choices you ll ever make. From the moment you drive into a Kasprzak community, then walk through the front door of your new condo, you ll appreciate your new home every single day for as long as you call it home. Our designs, building standards, quality of materials and our understanding of energy savings means we re committed to build a better home than the competition.

10 Does it Make Sense to Install Cold Weather (CW) Heat Pumps to Heat a Home in Winter and to Cool it in the Summer? Over the past 3 years, more than 20,000 households in Maine have installed heat pumps, and per capita, no other state in the country is installing heat pumps at a faster rate, according to Efficiency Maine. Sixty to seventy percent of our customers are installing air condition/heat pumps. Some have installed CW heat pumps and have taken the credit for eliminating the baseboard hot water heating system to help pay for the CW heat pumps. A heat pump is basically an air conditioner that works in reverse to provide heat. The heat pump captures and concentrates heat from one area, then releases it to another. In heating mode, the heat pump takes heat from the outdoor air and delivers it to the home through the indoor air-handling units. In cooling mode, it reverses direction to work like an air conditioner, extracting heat from inside the home and blowing it outside. Our standard air conditioning options have a mini-split outdoor compressor/condenser with two to six indoor air-handling units. A conduit, which houses the refrigerant tubing, power cable, suction tubing and a condensate drain, connects the outdoor and indoor units. The standard air conditioning heat pumps can be used to heat the home in the spring and fall, but are not adequate enough to heat the home in the winter. However, there are now cold weather mini-split heat pumps which are much more efficient and can be used to heat your home in the winter. Cold Weather Pumps can Replace a Furnace and Heat the Home. Some of our buyers have installed the cold weather mini-splits with one or two compressors and four to six indoor air handling units, depending on the system recommended by the heating/cooling designer. If the cold weather mini-splits are being used to heat the home in the winter, then the designer typically includes the installation of 4 to 5 small wall resistive (electric) heaters in locations where it does not make economic sense to install an indoor air handling unit, such as a walk-in closet or the bathrooms. The resistive units can then be used on an as-needed basis during extreme cold winter days. Some of our heating/cooling designs incorporate both a cold weather mini-split pump and a standard heat pump. Heating and cooling systems, which include cold weather mini-split heat pumps that are going to be used to heat the home in the winter, need to be designed and priced on a case by case basis. However, a typical system would have one cold weather heat pump with two to three indoor units, one standard heat pump with two to three indoor units and four to five resistive wall heaters. This hybrid system would cost about $19,700 to $25,540. As a resident in Riverbend Woods for 2 1 /2 years, I m very pleased with my decision to heat my home using only electric heat pumps. I was anxious to reduce my heating costs when moving from my former home into my condominium. I ve been amazed by the savings! In addition, I also have air conditioning in every room of my home too! Barbara Pillsbury Kasprzak Condo Owner

11 KasprzaK SINCE 1972 MAINE S PREMIER HOME BUILDER We hope this brochure better acquaints you with Kasprzak s Hybrid Energy Homes... our design, construction, performance and options.

12 Kasprzak Homes, Inc. 787 Sokokis Trail North Waterboro, ME Tel M