eca conference session 5: liz robinson
TRANSCRIPT
Energy FIT Philly
Preserving Affordable Housing
www.ecasavesenergy.org
Energy FIT Philly
Transforming the Row Home
Pros• Compact • Party walls• Durable Materials• Quality of construction
Cons• Low slope, black tar roof• Lack of maintenance• Hard to Insulate properly• Age
Flat roofs: the Achilles Heel of Rowhomes
• In addition to being prone to roof leaks, flat and low-slope roofs can be extremely difficult to insulate properly
• R-38?
Low income row homes: Hard to Insulate
More than half of all low income applicants’ homes are too severely deteriorated to weatherize !
• Roof leaks found in >40% of low income homes
• Plumbing leaks, structural problems etc…
• Knob & tube wiring typically costs > $1,400 to mitigate
A typical rowhome “attic”
Deterioration of Rowhomes
• Neglect and water are the two worst enemies of rowhomes.
• Roof leaks or missing downspout can cause severe deterioration of the exterior wall material – most often brick and mortar
•Left untreated, even a small leak can have a domino effect on the rest of the house.
• Leaks → water infiltration → interior deterioration → structural problems → mold = REJECTION FROM WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS
Typical water damage in rowhomes
EnergyFIT Philly
• Goal - Prevent homelessness by preserving affordable housing which is currently ineligible for energy conservation due to roof leaks and other home repair needs.
• Deep Energy Savings > 40%
• ECA’s rejection rate for high users applying for weatherization has risen to nearly 65%.
EnergyFIT Philly Services
• Home repair: roofing, plumbing, electrical, structural and heating
• Restoration of integrity of the exterior: masonry and carpentry repair
• Full energy retrofit:
o Complete air-sealing, R-38 insulation, white reflective roofo Electricity baseload reductiono Heating system repair/replacement o Health and safety measures
• Water conservation services
• Energy bill payment assistance:
o LIHEAP, Crisis, UESF and utility programs
• Budget counseling
• Information and referral to other human services
Summers are getting hotter
Affordable Cooling Approach
• ECA installs new white, reflective roofing systems in homes with major roof leaks
• White roofs are typically 60-80° cooler than black asphalt roofs on hot summer days
• Benefits:
o Maximize passive coolingo Minimize air conditioningo Reduced health risk to occupantso Lower energy bills for coolingo Fewer utility delinquencies, terminationso Extended roof lifeo Less roofing material in landfillso Reduced urban heat island effecto Increase Earth’s Albedo: Slow Climate
Change
Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation
• 7.5 R-value per inch
• 50% increase in ACH reduction compared to cellulose
• Cost Effectiveness
• Low maintenance
• Energy Savings
Why target the whole block?
By concentrating on an entire block or neighborhood:
• More lasting impact• Increase Cost-effectiveness• Potential for greater energy savings• Active engagement of residents and leadership• Strengthening of neighborhoods• Block preservation• Reverse “Domino Effect”
EnergyFIT Philly plans to run a Citywide contest every year in Philadelphia.
• High Concentration of homes in poor condition:• Moisture Problems• Severe Deterioration• High Utility Bills • Gentrification Pressure
Target Neighborhoods
Coordination with others • Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together , PHDC• Neighborhood Energy Centers and other CBOs• Specialists: Integrated Pest Management• Excellent subcontractors• Colleges and Universities
Funding and Leveraging • Oak Foundation• Housing Trust Fund• Weatherization Assistance Program• PGW, PECO, PWD• In Kind donations from Vendors
Energy FIT Philly requires Coordination
Energy FIT Philly
Before After
Energy FIT Philly
Before After
Mantua: Energy FIT Philly
Damage to Living room from Roof leak and to Bathroom from Plumbing stack leak
Mantua: Energy FIT Philly
N. 39th St.
Spray Foam Roofing in process
Completed Roof
Mantua: Energy FIT Philly
Completed white roof on 800 block of N. 39th St.
Energy FIT Philly
High relative humidity from multiple causes
Energy FIT Philly
•Relative Humidity for a healthy living space should be between 30 to 60 %•Many homes we are addressing are consistently higher•Energy Fit Philly is working on practical long term solutions
Healthy Homes: Lowering RH
ECA is working to lower relative humidity to healthy levels through:
• Source control: Repair leaking sewer lines and supply lines, foundation issues, and roof leaks
• Hoarding remediation: Clearing decades of accumulation of wet material in basement
• Sealing Basement Floors: A number of homes have dirt basements, or the concrete is broken/missing
• Mechanical ventilation and dehumidification• Commercial scale Dehumidification• Bathroom vent installation 100%
Healthy Homes: Eliminating Problems
ECA is working to eliminate all health and safety hazards including:
• Carbon monoxide• Gas leaks• Vermin: cockroaches, rodents, fleas, bedbugs, racoons!• Allergens: cigarette smoke, dust• Mold and mildew• Unsafe electrical wiring• Unsafe structural conditions
Energy FIT Philly: Evaluation
Independent Evaluation to Measure
1. Reduction in Energy Usage2. Indoor Temperature*3. Relative Humidity*4. Customer Survey5. Reduction in Code violations
* Data loggers have been installed to record
Energy FIT Philly: Opportunities
1. Coordination of Home Repair and Weatherization
2. Improving Energy Efficiency Specifications of Home Repair Treatments
3. Integration of New Technologies
4. Coordination of Nonprofits doing Home Repair and BSRP
5. Clearing of Tangled Titles
6. Bulk Purchasing
