Green Zero Carbon Home

Renovation of 1970's house to a zero carbon footprint

Project Photo Gallery

  • Our solar panel array on the roof of our house, our "Green Zero Carbon Home"

  • Our heat pumps which cut our carbon footprint by 20 tons a year

Project Team

David Green's picture

BE Boston 19 Registrants

David Green's picture

BE Boston 19 Registrants

Founded and was CEO of two biotechnology companies. Took both public. Raised over $100m in capital.

Degree in physics from Oxford University, MBA from Harvard Business School

Ratings, Awards and Recognition

Certifications:

Claims are based on my own detailed tracking of electricity use, solar electricity generation and heating oil use. I have daily spreadsheets for over a year detailing this but heating oil use was measured by me reading the gauges of our oil tanks and there is no utility documentation.

NESEA Awards:

None

Awards:

None

Note that HERS index and Energy Star score are only available on new construction this is a renovation. There are no awards that I am aware of that apply to renovations. Perhaps you should start one? Since 99% of the US housing stock is already existing successful retrofits are important to publicize. Especially those that make money. None of your case studies shows the investment or return. In fact your case studies make no mention of money and therefore a reader cannot tell if this makes financial sense for them.

We cut the carbon dioxide emissions of our 5300sf 1970's house by 43 tons per year getting us to a year round zero-carbon footprint. We are not only  saving money, our bills (for heating oil and electricity) are down $11,500 a year, but we are earning a 15% return on our investment. That's 15% after tax and with no volatility. Much better than my stock and bond investments! For more information, check out www.greenzerocarbonhome.com.

Quick Facts

General

Location Dover, Massachusetts
Building Type single-family residence
Project Type Zero Energy
Basis of Performance Claim
Bedrooms 5
Bathrooms 3.5
Conditioned Floor Area 5,300 sq ft
Total Cost of Project $75,000

Energy Summary

Energy Data Type
Renewable Energy System Type(s) Photovoltaics
Ratings

Claims are based on my own detailed tracking of electricity use, solar electricity generation and heating oil use. I have daily spreadsheets for over a year detailing this but heating oil use was measured by me reading the gauges of our oil tanks and there is no utility documentation.
Net electricity usage (purchased) 10,000 kWh/year
Natural gas amount (purchased) 5,000 kWh/year
Annual renewable energy generated 15,000 kWh/year

Envelope and Mechanicals

Subslab assembly

concrete
Above grade wall assembly

2x4 walls with fiberglass insulation, approx R12