Background
When Jeremiah Beck retired from the military after a 23- year career, he and his wife, Andrea, decided to move from Washington State to New Hampshire to be near Andrea’s family. Andrea’s father was a builder who helped people construct their dream homes, and she always knew that one day she wanted to do the same for herself. After learning about the expertise and incentives for residential new construction that Eversource offers customers, the Becks realized that they could build a home that was both their dream design and reduce their energy usage and bills by incorporating sustainable design practices.
Challenge
For the Becks, the challenge was finding the sweet spot where energy efficiency, aesthetics and affordability aligned. They knew it would take careful planning and a commitment to integrating energy-saving strategies.
Solution
Working with Eversource, the builder, CPR Home Restoration, and the HERS Rater, GDS Associates, the Becks took a comprehensive approach to designing and building their home in Gilford, New Hampshire.
They implemented a range of energy efficiency measures, including:
- Heating and Cooling System. They installed an energy efficient water source heat pump for heating and cooling, paired with an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for a healthy indoor environment and humidity control
- Insulation. The house was built using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) and spray foam insultation to achieve superior airtightness around the entire property, from the foundation to the attic
- Windows. Double pane windows were installed throughout the house, providing similar benefits to insulation–such as a comfortable indoor air temperature–in addition to letting in more natural light
The Becks also implemented a renewable energy source, namely a 15-kW solar array to power the home, enabling the family to generate more energy than they consume. The entire layout was carefully planned to support passive solar heating, reduce energy usage, and enhance day-to-day at-home comfort.
Result
Before incorporating renewables, the home achieved a HERS index score of 35, which is excellent. With renewables, the home achieved a HERS score of -2, which is outstanding, and means that the home is officially operating at net zero. This will translate to significant cost savings for the Becks, as they enjoy the comfort of their new dream home. The Becks’ success story is an inspiration to other homeowners looking to embrace energy-efficient building practices and integrate renewable energy resources.
“Working with Eversource made a huge difference. Their support helped us make smart energy choices from the start, and now we’re not just saving energy, we’re living more comfortably and sustainably every day.” – Jeremiah and Andrea Beck, Gilford, NH