1850’s Capitol Hill Carbon Neutral Home Makeover

The modest existing wood stick home dates back to the early 19th century. Although it has been vacant for several years in disrepair, the property is a wonderful opportunity to showcase “DC’s first Carbon Neutral Home.” With strict historical standards, well informed neighbors, tight building conditions, tough existing structural conditions and all the other challenges adaptive reuse projects have, it’s a serious challenge –that proven successful, will be a very compelling model in sustainable building.

To get to carbon neutrality, the home will blend extremely tight building envelope with some cutting edge mechanical systems which will include ground source heating and cooling, solar hot water, tankless water heaters, LED lights, and Energy Star appliances. This home will use 60-80% less energy than a standard home in the area. The remaining energy needed to power the home will be purchased as “clean” power from the local utility provider. So in the end, the user will be left with a home that produces no net carbon released into the atmosphere.

Designer: GreenSpur Inc., Location: Washington DC, Image Credits: © GreenSpur Inc., Information: Source