Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and E3 collaborated to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the rehabilitation of this Chartiers Ave home. The expanded and modified scope of work included:
- Installing a heat pump water heater in place of a gas storage water heater
- Upgrading to higher-performance triple-pane windows instead of lower-efficiency ones
- Adding new intake vents in the roof and ventilation baffles connecting them to the ridge vent
- Insulating and air sealing attic slopes, flats, and behind knee walls
- Installing new framing and dense-packed cellulose insulation for the gable walls in the attic of this brick home (though the attic space was reduced, the home received a complete energy-saving “hat” or “lid” from these measures)
- Replacing proposed electric baseboard heating with a 22 SEER ductless heat pump for attic HVAC needs
- Adding air conditioning to the living area using the same heat pump
- Removing two chimneys to reduce the stack effect (this home also received a high-efficiency condensing furnace through the original RTP plan, making the chimneys unnecessary)
As a result of these upgrades, the Home Energy Score for the property improved from 1 to 3, with projected energy savings of 34%, excluding the high-efficiency furnace. These advanced efficiency solutions are expected to save future homeowners approximately $1,490 annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 4.3 tons per year compared to the originally planned retrofit.