The following numbers are intermediate results after 18 months of research of Phase 1. Updated research results will be available once the full 3 years of data collection are over.
Phase 1: Intermediate Results
Home of Today vs. Home of Tomorrow
Quick Stats
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36,500
Additional Investment into the Home of Tomorrow
67
Less Energy than the Home of Today
99
Less Carbon Emissions than the Home of Today
42
Years Payback Time. Payback periods for single components are between 6-50 years.
Long payback periods are due to two factors:
- Carbon neutral heating and cooling uses expensive electrical power versus non-expensive natural gas.
- The installation of a ground source heat pump and high-performance insulation are still very costly.
Government incentives as well as decreasing cost due to higher demand would shorten payback periods significantly.
Light Bulbs
LED vs. Incandescent
Payback time: Less than 1 year
Retrofitting: Simple
Heating
Ground Source Heat Pump vs. Natural Gas-based HVAC System
Payback Time
50+ years due to high installation and energy cost of heat pump.
Retrofitting
Possible but expensive
Insulation
Enhanced Wall Insulation (Rigid & Continuous) vs. Conventional Batt Insulation
Payback Time
Approx. 18 years due to high cost of material and workmanship
Retrofitting
Optional
Foundation
Insulated Concrete Form-based (ICF) vs. Regular Basement Walls
Payback Time
50+ years due to high cost of product and workmanship
Retrofitting
Impossible
Windows
Triple vs. Double Glazed
Payback Time
Approximately 16 years
Retrofitting
Simple
Water Heater
Heat-Pump Based vs. Conventional Electric
Payback Time
Approximately 6 years (can be reduced by government incentives)
Retrofitting
Simple
