Miller Residence
This new residence in the Boston suburb of Newton, MA, achieves net-zero within a neighborhood context. In the owner David Miller’s words, “climate change is the issue of the century,” and this house is built to address that fact. He and his family also take small steps each day to reduce their energy consumption, like using the clothes dryer as little as possible and keeping the thermostats low, Karen Miller notes, “The savings we are getting is because of how our home is built.”
The Millers chose the site for their home because of the location. The close proximity to the T allows them to use public transportation regularly, an adjacent park provides recreation out the front door, and the small center within walking distance has restaurants and shops. A small existing home on the property was deconstructed and building materials salvaged for reuse to the greatest extent possible.
The house is designed with the main entry facing the main street, preserving the formal and traditional street presence typical of the neighborhood. However, a large wing of the home is built at a 45 degree angle to the street, maximizing the south facing roof. This roof is covered in photovoltaic panels. Solar domestic hot water panels are located on the south-east facing slope of the front gable. Large south facing windows optimize passive solar gain to help heat the house and provide a connection to the outdoors for the occupants.
The house is super-insulated, with an R-20 basement, R-40 walls, R-5 windows and an R-60 roof. Heating and cooling, if needed, is provided by an air-source heat pump, which is powered by the electric provided by the home’s PV panels.
The Miller’s new home uses 88% less energy than the couple’s previous home, built in 2005. Additionally, the production of energy on-site will save the couple approximately $6,000 annually in energy costs. Combining energy rebates with the reduced energy costs, the renewable energy system is on track to pay for itself after only four years.
The Miller’s recognize their net-zero home is large, compared to the US average home size in 2010 of 2,169 SF. However, for the neighborhood, their home is on the small end. A quick search of public property records for homes built in the neighborhood in the last 10 years, gives an average size of 4,553 SF of above ground living area, putting the Miller’s home in the 29th percentile for size. An important factor for the Millers when designing their home was to create a space where they could raise their two children, but also where they could work. Both of the Millers work out of their new home, decreasing their overall energy footprint, but increasing both the size requirement for the house and its overall energy demand.
Quick Facts
General
Location | Newton, MA02458 United States |
Building Type | Single-Family Residence |
Project Type | |
Basis of Performance Claim | |
Bedrooms | |
Conditioned Floor Area | 5 329 |
Energy Summary
Energy Data Type | |
Renewable Energy System Type(s) | |
Ratings | |
Annual renewable energy generated |
Envelope and Mechanicals
Subslab assembly | 4” XPS rigid insulation |
Foundation wall assembly | 2” XPS, 6” loose fill cellulose |
Above grade wall assembly | 2” poly-isocyanurate, dense pack cellulose in 2x8 wall cavity |
Door Assembly | |
Air Changes per hour, ACH50 |
Completion
Completion Date:
Scope
Type of Construction | |
Number of buildings | |
Floor area of each building | |
Bedrooms | |
Stories | |
Conditioned Building Volume | |
Conditioned Floor Area | 5 329 |
Location and Climate Details
Single-Family Residence
Address | Newton, MA02458 United States |
Location Type | |
Climate Region | Zone 5 |
Köppen Climate Type | Dfb |
Lat. / Long. | POINT (-71.1864397 42.3503838) |
Elevation | 100 |
Solar Insolation | 4.47 kWh/m2/day |
Annual CDD and Base Temp | | |
Annual HDD and Base Temp | | |
Site
Site Conditions:
Site Description:
Monthly Energy Data and Utilities
Energy Data Type:
Electric Utility: NSTAR Electric
Gas Utility:
Renewables and Energy Balance
Renewable Energy Sources:
Renewable Energy System Description & Details:
Annual renewable energy generated | |
Annual Renewable Energy Generated Data Type | |
Power Rating | 9Watts |
Renewable Energy System Type(s) | |
Source of Annual Production Data |
Walls and Roof
Subslab assembly | 4” XPS rigid insulation |
Subslab R-value | 20.00 |
Slab edge assembly | 4” XPS rigid insulation |
Slab edge R-value | 20.00 |
Foundation wall assembly | 2” XPS, 6” loose fill cellulose |
Foundation wall R-value | 32.00 |
Above grade wall assembly | 2” poly-isocyanurate, dense pack cellulose in 2x8 wall cavity |
Above grade wall R-value | 40.00 |
Cathedral ceiling assembly | |
Cathedral ceiling R-value |
Windows and Doors
Window Assembly:
low-e, tri-pane, argon filled
Door Assembly:
Average window U-factor | 0.20 |
Door U-Factor | |
Door Area |
Mechanical Systems
Space cooling - Manufacturer & Model | Mitsubishi, |
Space heating - Manufacturer & Model | Mitsubishi , |
Domestic hot water - Manufacturer & Model | Solar Thermal System |
Domestic hot water - capacity | |
Ventilation - Manufacturer & Model | Venmark, |
Lighting Manufacturer and Model | |
Lighting Efficiency | |
Mechanical Equipment Installation Details and Comments |
Envelope
Air Changes per hour, ACH50 | |
Air Changes per hour, CFM50 |
General Process
Design for Adaptability:
Software Tools
Software Tools:
General modeling information:
Lessons Learned
Outcome of Project Goals:
Discrepancies:
Rebates and Financial Incentives
Federal incentives | |
Local incentives | |
State incentives | |
Utility incentives | |
Other incentives |