Listmates,
Taitem Engineering and Snug Planet asked that I pass this along to you. If
you know someone who would like to participate, please contact Elisabeth
Harrod at Snug Planet.
-Karen
*
*
*For Immediate Release**
*January 25, 2012
* *
* *
*Ithaca Companies Win Contract to Pioneer Deep Energy Savings*
* *
*(January 25, 2012, Ithaca, NY). *Two Ithaca companies, Taitem Engineering
and Snug Planet, have been awarded a $300,000 contract by the New York
State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The goal of
the contract is to optimize and promote technologies that can dramatically
improve the energy performance of existing homes. The contract team also
includes Dow Building Solutions, a leading manufacturer of insulation and
weatherproofing materials.
The contract is based on the “deep energy retrofit” approach. Deep energy
retrofits involve adding a layer of rigid insulation or spray foam to a
home’s exterior walls to improve airtightness and reduce heat loss. Attics
and basements are also sealed and insulated to levels well above building
code. New windows may be installed, and heating, ventilation, and hot
water systems may be upgraded.
Deep energy retrofit pilot projects in New York and other Northeastern
states have reduced heating energy use by 60-75%. However, the cost of the
work remains a barrier for many homeowners. Adding exterior foam
insulation to walls, which also requires replacing siding and modifying
window and door trim, is typically the most expensive part of a deep energy
retrofit. The team will seek ways to reduce this cost using Dow Building
Solutions’ Thermax insulation board and Weathermate tapes and flashing
systems.
In addition to isolating and improving the steps of the installation
process, the team will oversee and monitor full retrofits on four homes.
The team is seeking homeowners interested in participating in the study,
which will take place over the next two years. Contract funds, materials
donated by Dow Building Solutions, and “Home Performance with Energy Star”
incentives will offset some of the costs of the work; homeowners will be
expected to contribute at least half the funding for their projects.
“To meet climate protection goals, we need to dramatically reduce energy
use in existing buildings. If we can bring the cost of deep energy
retrofits down, we’ll have a solution that can be applied to almost every
house in the state,” says Jon Harrod, president of Snug Planet. “We’re
excited to have the opportunity to develop this technology so that it can
be brought to scale.” Harrod adds that the contract includes funds for
outreach and training for contractors interested in offering deep energy
retrofits to their customers.
“Applying advanced building techniques to older homes can help New Yorkers
improve energy efficiency in their homes while saving money and cutting
energy use,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., NYSERDA President and CEO.
“Building upon the work we started last year, we are pleased to work with
Taitem Engineering and Snug Planet in making the deep energy retrofit
process more affordable while at the same time improving the related
technology and materials.”
Homeowners interested in participating in the study should contact project
manager Elisabeth Harrod at Snug Planet.
* * *
Taitem Engineering specializes in mechanical, electrical, plumbing and
structural design, commissioning, LEED consulting, energy efficiency
consulting, research and training. Principles of sustainability and green
design inform all aspects of their work.
Snug Planet specializes in residential energy audits, insulation, air
sealing, and moisture control. Since its founding in 2006, Snug Planet has
helped more than 700 homeowners save on energy bills, improve their
comfort, and reduce their ecological footprint.
*-------------------*
* *
*Media Contact: Elisabeth Harrod,
**[email protected]*<[email protected]>
*, 277-7684*
--
Karen Jewett
Director of Operations
Sustainable Tompkins
109 S. Albany St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-216-1552
For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please
visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/
If you have questions about this list please contact the list manager, Tom
Shelley, at [email protected].
