Remodeling Projects That We Have Done With Before and After Energy Costs

Call us crazy but in our “free-time” we like to buy old buildings and then completely remodel them with the highest energy efficiency retrofits imaginable. Two such projects are shown here.

765 Washington Street was a 1600 square foot American Foursquare home built in 1919. It was purchased for $76,000. Although the kitchen and baths were remodeled the majority of the work was energy-conservation oriented. Combined gas and electric utility bills decreased from $335 per month in winter in 2003 to $140 per month in 2009, a reduction of 60%. Overall annual utility bills savings average $1800 per year and tax credits totaled $3500. The home recently appraised at $145,000. Renovations include:

· The original converted coal-burner furnace was replaced, as was the water heater.
· Attic insulation was added to increase R-value up to R-50.
· Vinyl and asphalt siding was removed and insulation was blown into the empty wall
   cavities.
· Original single pain windows were removed and replaced with energy efficient
   double pain vinyl windows.
· Expanding foam insulation was applied to basement foundation stem walls.
· Insulated blinds and curtains, low flow shower heads, as well as CFL lighting was
   added.
· Interior and exterior painting was completed for beautification purposes.

765 Washington Street

Before:
$335.00 per month for
Gas and Electricity

After:
$140.00 per month for
Gas and Electricity

131 First Avenue was a 2100 square foot shell. The original half of the building was a double brick wall structure built in 1910, with newer roof rafters, wooden floor trusses and a concrete footer/stem-wall foundation. The newer addition was cinderblock walls on concrete slab with a failing flat roof. Kitchen and bathrooms were gutted, windows were ancient single pain glass, and there was little or no insulation. The building sits on a half acre and was purchased for $49,000, with $100,000 of materials and labor and recently appraised at $205,000. Renovations include:

· The flat roof was ripped off and a stick framed gable roof was added with an
apartment built into the attic.
· All interior and exterior walls were framed and insulated.
· The kitchens and bathrooms were designed and installed from scratch.
· The interior of the old brick of the building was framed out with three bedrooms, two
   baths, living room, den and utility room.
· The newer cinder block half of the building was designed with an open floor plan,
   including raised kitchen looking out over a family room and dining room.
· The upstairs apartment includes a kitchenette and full bathroom.
· All windows have been replaced with highly energy efficient glass, with lots of south
   facing glass.
· The roofing insulation has an R-value of R-60 in the old half of the building and R-76
   in the new half of the building, wall insulation of R-30 and the floors are insulated to
   R-14.
· The building has new roofing and siding as well.
· Approximately $40,000 in grants and $6500 in tax credits help to fund this project.

Here is a series of pictures that shows the progression of our work on this house.

131 First Avenue

Top Of Page

Colorado Home Energy Solutions
Phone: (970)-204-9931 ~ Fax: (970)-204-9932
E-mail: info@thisefficienthouse.com
Address: 1600 Crescent Dr. ~ Fort Collins, CO 80526

We find and fix the problems that waste energy in your home or business!