Re-side Tight. Ventilate Right.
Multiple Locations, New Jersey - Research Study (with Center for Building Knowledge)
Funded by the Department of Energy Building America, the project and research team conducted a sustainability study of retrofitting homes led by Christine Liaukus, RA. The study was part of a research partnership focused on climate action through retrofitting, involving integration of energy efficiency measures into standard repair and remodeling projects for residential and commercial buildings.
The pre-siding conditions of the homes were documented utilizing blower door tests.
As buildings undergo routine upgrades, adding energy optimization techniques can significantly improve their energy performance with minimal additional cost. This retrofitting approach can potentially reduce typical home’s energy use by at least 25%, with possibility of further savings when coupled with appliance and HVAC upgrades.
The project involved a detailed study of four houses, which began with an initial blower door test to measure air leakage. After removing the existing siding, a second blower door test was conducted.
Contractor training was administered to ensure best practices and careful observation during the construction phase, culminating in a final blower door test after re-siding work. The team conducted extensive construction observations and videos with the contractors on site during the re-siding process. At the end of the siding process, the team conducted additional blower door tests and administered post-occupancy surveys to analyze the improved performance of each home. Findings from the study showed a decrease in energy consumption for all the homes involved.