Pine Grove
Hybrid Insulation
Pine Grove had simple, yet profound objectives from the start: efficiency, comfort, and quality. With a blend of high performance design and elegant finishes, you can rest assured that this home’s fundamental build is just as impressive as the final aesthetic.
Insulation
The insulation needs of high-performance homes being familiar territory for Thermal Shop, we installed a hybrid system of closed cell spray foam and batt in the exterior walls. The resulting R-value of 25 (as compared to the average home’s R-value of 20) not only provides a superior thermal barrier, but also greatly reduces sound transmission between indoors and outdoors and keeps the basement less prone to moisture build up. With an R-49 attic and an insulated and heated garage, Pine Grove is any insulator’s dream.
Mechanical Equipment
For anyone looking to reduce utility bills and harmful emissions at the same time, you’ll be satisfied to know that this home was fitted with high efficiency heat pumps as the conditioning and water heating systems. High performance homes are moving away from traditional gas and electric resistance equipment, and Pine Grove is following suit. The duct system was also aeroseal(ed), to minimize leaks in the system and provide even more efficiency.
HERS Score
Home Energy Ratings System (HERS) is a nationally recognized index for evaluating the energy efficiency of a home. This score takes into account a home’s physical characteristics, all mechanical equipment, and energy testing results. With an average 2006 home scoring 100 on the HERS scale, Pine Grove came in at an impressive 43.
A crucial component of the HERS score is the blower door test. This test measures the airtightness of a home. Homes need to breathe, so a small amount of leakage is not only fine, but expected. However, too much leakage and a home is likely to experience less stable temperatures, higher utility bills, and more entry points for water and insects. Pine Grove came in at a blower door score of 1.16 ACH - an impressive score and the tightest Iowa City home that Energy Ratings Group (Thermal Shop’s sister company) has ever tested.
