Taft Faculty House

Building/Project NameTaft Faculty House Construction / refurbishment date01/01/2015 Building/Project Size3,891 sq. ft.

Building/Project Typeresidential single Address 110 Woodbury Road Watertown Connecticut 06795 United States Region americas

Net Zero Operational Carbon

Buildings or developments that are verified and certified as “net zero operational energy and/or carbon.” The building should demonstrate the highest levels of energy efficiency with the use of either renewables generated onsite or renewable energy procured offsite.

Achieved Certification Scheme: LEED Platinum
ILFI Living Building Challenge
Other Achieved Certification Scheme and Level: PHIUS+, Zero Energy Ready Home, ENERGY STAR, DOE Building America Partner, EPA Indoor air PLUS Energy Use Intensity (EUI) (kWh/m2/yr): 4.75 kbtu/SF/yr Onsite Renewable Production Intensity (RPI) (kWh/m2/yr): 15,288.8 Verification Year: 2017

 

The primary energy conservation measures of this project are:

• The Taft House is an all electric home with no combustion appliances.
• The team installed Klearwall awnings or casements over fixed glass (to mimic double hungs) with simulated divided lites (u-values as low as 0.13)
• A high solar heat gain coefficient (0.58) facilitates the passive solar gain for winter months, while well designed overhangs and pergola shade summer sun – The house tested 0.6ACH50 proving the effectiveness of its air-tight envelope and attention to air sealing. Heating and cooling is provided by efficient air source heat pumps (9.2 HSPF, 16.5 SEER) and delivered by short duct runs which tested extremely tight.
• Low flow fixtures are WaterSense certified, appliances are Energy Star labeled, and all LED lighting.
• A Zehnder Novus 300 (93.3% efficient) HRV supplies 112 cfm of continuous fresh air ventilation; using only 32 watts of power and runs quietly.
• Chemicals and contaminants were reduced by using low VOC and GreenGuard certified sealants, adhesives, primers, and paints.
• The granite front steps were salvaged and local stone used for the patio and stone walls.
• Storm water runoff from the roof, patio, and driveway is managed by the rain garden and native landscaping is low maintenance. It was important that the project team was innovative and communicative in order to achieve stringent building goals while also meeting aesthetic and Historic Commission’s expectations.

OrganisationSteven Winter Associates, Inc. Member of GBCUSGBC

The Taft House is an all electric home with no combustion appliances.