The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has partnered with local contractors to transform some turn-of-the-century Oneida County homes into laboratories for testing new models of energy efficiency.
Under a program funded by NYSERDA and the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, contractors have installed state-of-the-art measures on four houses in Rome and Utica in hopes of finding cost effective ways to dramatically reduce energy consumption by retrofitting older homes that make up a large portion of our housing stock.
Applying new techniques to older buildings can not only help New Yorkers save money and cut energy use, but also help create green jobs, NYSERDA says.
In typical home energy efficiency retrofits, owners add insulation to the attic, blow cellulose into walls, seal around doors and change sash windows for double-panes, among other standard practices.
In contrast, a “Deep Retrofit” project can include many more significant measures, including:
• sealing the attic/roof connection or removing the roof and building it up with rigid insulation and installing a metal roof.
• removing the house siding and installing a foil-backed material to air seal the walls, and adding 4-inch thick foam insulation on top
• sealing basement walls and floor with foam and a rubber mat that allows water to drain, while leaving the basement accessible for laundry and storage
• adding a more efficient heating and hot-water system.
Absolute measurements of the improvements in the Oneida County homes won’t be available until this winter’s heating bills can be compared to last year’s. However, blower door tests—basically, a giant vacuum that tests air leakage—showed significant reductions in drafts.
By working on owner-occupied buildings, the project is training workers in advanced techniques— while providing insights to reduce costs—and results in more retrofit business for contractors and greater energy savings for society. For examples from the pilot, visithttp://www.nyserda.org/Programs/IABR/DeepRetrofit.asp.
State ranked among most energy efficient
New York ranks among the top states in the nation for energy efficiency best practices, according to a survey by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
ACEEE reviewed utility and government policies and practices in every state and ranked New York fourth in the nation, up from fifth in last year’s survey.
The rankings are based on six criteria: Utility sector and public benefits programs and policies, transportation policies, building energy codes, combined heat and power (the use of waste heat to generate electricity), state government initiatives, and appliance efficiency standards.
NYSERDA reports that supporting energy efficiency and clean energy is saving New Yorkers more than $680 million annually on their energy bills. Similar programs administered by the state’s public power authorities that serve Long Island, municipal electric systems and government customers in New York have also contributed to the state’s high ranking.
ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel said, “Even as Washington dawdles on climate and clean energy, states are moving ahead... While $11 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds was helpful in this process…the overall story here is one of states getting done what Congress has so far failed to do.”
According to NYSERDA, every dollar invested in energy efficiency returns $4.70 in economic and environmental benefits.