SEER 2003 Case Study Report
Published Monday, April 12, 2004
The goal of the Strategies for Energy Efficiency in Remodeling (SEER)1 project is to provide information, based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance. Opportunities to include energy efficiency often arise while undertaking general remodeling work. Of course, energy efficiency may always be pursued as a remodeling project unto itself to improve the comfort of the home and reduce monthly utility bills. A case study in the mid-Atlantic region was undertaken to develop and test the application of energy efficiency (EE) strategies, to evaluate the benefits, and to identify any weaknesses in their design or application. Taken together as a system, the strategies provide opportunities for energy and cost savings, increased durability, and increased comfort of the remodeled home.
This case study report examines the technologies, methods and installation of specific energy efficiency strategies. The information presented here stems from a “gut rehab” of a house in rural New Jersey as part of the SEER project through the Building America Existing Buildings Program.2 A “gut rehab” project allows for consideration of a wide range of energy efficiency strategies and, accordingly, is a good basis of this initial effort. As other remodeling projects are undertaken the knowledge base will expand and become more complete. The evaluation of this extensive rehab project provides many details of energy efficiency strategies that will lead to energy savings and can be implemented by remodelers and consumers over months or years.
1 The SEER project was developed by Home Innovation Research Labs (NAHBRC) as part of the DOE Existing Buildings Program under the Building America umbrella.
2 The Building America program is sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
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