Arlington 2-family Retrofit. The most famous Deep Energy Retrofit in the world.

The Arlington 2-family is a project which started as a man with a dream, and expanded to include the Synergy Construction, Building Science Corp, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, NStar, consultants, sponsors, a wide swath of America's press corp, references in U.S. congressional committees, and a spark which launched hundreds of Deep Energy Retrofits projects across the country.

The Problem:
Cold drafty house with envelope insulation pocked with voids.  Eroded cedar shingles and rotted trim needing replacement, all painted, the client said, in a "repulsive yellowish green color".  The building's 2 legacy steam boilers used 1082 gallons of home heating oil per year.

The Deep Energy Retrofit Solution:
The home was retrofit

• R60 Roof with 6" of polyiso insulation on the exterior roof deck and 5" of open cell foam in the attic rafters
• R40 Walls with 4" of polyiso rigid insulation on exterior walls
• R3  Windows of fiberglass framed double pane
• (2) Heat Recovery Ventilators for air quality and humidity management
• On-demand hot water reducing hot water cost by over 80%
• New "green" siding and new sun reflecting life time roofing.

In its first full winter the home consumed 68% less energy than prior years, using only 362 gallons of heating oil with the same 2 legacy oil boilers.  Temperatures are now more consistent throughout the building and throughout the day, so much so that the client shut down all 3rd floor radiators to keep that floor slightly cooler for sleeping.  Ice dams and icicles are also eliminated with a super insulated roof.

The Future:  The client may upgrade the heating system yet and is considering both solar thermal and solar PV systems.

To get more information, or learn why this is the most famous Deep Energy Retrofit project in the U.S., visit the clients project website.