Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and E3 collaborated to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the rehabilitation of this Chartiers Ave home. There is a lot to celebrate: the project achieved a remarkable reduction in air leakage, ending at 5.5 ACH@50 Pascals for a 2,219 sq. ft. conditioned area. This is the lowest air leakage we have seen in a home rehab for affordable market! Kudos to Mosites Construction and Development Company, along with the two apprentices from the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh they oversaw, for their detailed work on the attic.
They removed wood paneling from the attic slopes, framed out the gable walls, and carefully coordinated with our partner contractor, Mincin Insulation Service, Inc, to ensure top plate air sealing. The attic was then fully dry-walled and dense-packed with cellulose before being finished. The roof also features low intake vents and a ridge vent, connected by ventilation baffles. Seeing this level of detail executed so nicely was truly a joy!
The removal of two chimneys, which improved energy efficiency, also allowed for a significant expansion of the bathroom.
The rim joist air sealing in the basement completed the overall air sealing effort. The home now boasts two 1-ton heat pumps, a 97% efficient furnace, and has improved its Home Energy Score from 1 to 4 (despite having brick walls without framing). Our modeling indicates that utility bills should drop by $1,088 compared to pre-rehab levels, with a 52% reduction in energy use.
Congratulations to the RTP staff and all involved. The energy efficiency improvements and upgrades were funded through the Buildings Upgrade Prize.
