Quote:
Originally Posted by Fargo
If builders paid closer attention to insulation and air sealing, you'd be able to downsize the heating system. Just attended the Better Building by Design conference in Vt. The best performing homes were insulated with dense packed cellulose it appeared.
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I recently built 5+ Star rated home in the area. It was designed to 2010 RBC energy construction. The big problem was the current RBC code in town was RBC 2004 and the building inspector wouldn't work with me.
Anyway, PSNH had an engineer worked with us in energy efficiency every step of the way. Geothermal and solar panels were ruled out because of the shoreline protection act. The home was was built on the footprint of an existing building within 50 feet of the waterline. The engineer determined that the Mitsubishi unit will be the most efficient year round unit until the outside temperature reaches 20 degrees. Below 20 degrees a System 2000 propane unit kicks in. The System 2000 also provides domestic hot water. The clothes dryer and kitchen stove are also propane.
At the time of construction (2010), I had a tough time finding contractors in this area that are willing to work with me. Most of the contractors had the 'Why knock yourself out, when your going to sell it in a few years anyway, you can't take it with you' attitude. This is the biggest reason why I decided not to build any more homes. I heard too many horror stories from homeowners who had their homes recently built. The homes are fine during the first year, when by law the construction is guaranteed. After the first year, the builders either don't return your call or blame it on the material manufacturer. You can't win. The last home I built, its been 3 years, I had a couple of calls and I make it a point to drive out and personally inspect the problem and rectify it.
In a nutshell? Call PSNH for an energy review. You can also get in touch with UNH and ask for a second opinion. A builder I know built his house with geothermal. He wish he had consulted the experts before deciding as today he wished he had not install geothermal.