10.25.10
Hope College Teams With Dwelltech Solutions to Improve Energy Efficiency of Student Housing

The 72 off-campus houses that make up the Hope College cottage community have served as homes away from home for many students over the years. And as with all houses, time takes its toll on structural dynamics, including energy efficiency. Hope College wants to fix that.

Working with local energy-audit company Dwelltech Solutions, Hope College is in the process of ensuring its cottages are the most efficient they can be. 'Tighter' houses perform better, are more comfortable and have a lower carbon footprint. Fixing air leaks, installing insulation and addressing other issues help with energy conservation, which is part of the Sustainable Hope initiative focusing on meeting the school's present and future needs while minimizing any negative impact on the environment.

"Many of the homes are 60 to 80 years old", said James C. Brown, Hope College project manager. "We knew there would be opportunities to improve energy efficiency, we just didn't know the exact nature of the problems."

That's where Dwelltech came in. The Holland-based firm specializes in energy testing, diagnosis and repair of energy leaks, using blower door tests, thermal imaging and good old detective work. Dwelltech started with the 20 cottages identified as having the highest energy bill. During its audits, the Dwelltech team identified problems such as poor insulation and venting, gaps in foundations and sills and old, deteriorating masonry.

Dwelltech detailed all of its findings in thorough reports, which also included suggestions on corrective measures.

"The audits gave us a solid benchmark from which we could start improvements," Brown said. "It offered significant energy-saving possibilities just by tightening up these older houses."

Hope is taking the idea of energy efficiency one step further and has designated one of the houses as a "Green Cottage." The school is in the process of adding a solar heater and other green-inspired technologies.

"The more energy we can conserve, the better environmental stewards we can be," Brown said.

The problems that Dwelltech discovered with the first 20 cottages are not unusual for homes of their age.

"These are issues with most homes built that long ago," said Joel Wondergem of Dwelltech. "Even newer homes can have undetected issues, like attic insulation that's been matted down or moved, gaps in sills, and voids in the structure. An energy audit is the first step. Then, it's about correcting the biggest issues first for the greatest return on your investment."

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, sealing air leaks in attics and foundations and around windows and doors, along with adding insulation, can result in a 20-percent heating and cooling savings for 1,500-square-foot house (the Hope cottages are slightly larger).

In addition to making the cottage more air tight, Hope is currently fixing other energy issues.

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  23 cottages, Brumler Apartments, and Columbia Apartments have been changed over to the central campus 12Kv distribution system, which is on a lower electric rate.

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  Temperature-limiting thermostats, with a 72-degree maximum, have been installed in all cottages and apartments.

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  78-percent furnaces in cottages and apartments are being replaced with 94-percent efficient models.

"Our Sustainable Hope efforts are all about working together for a sustainable campus and community," Brown said. "Thanks in part to the assistance from Dwelltech, we've identified and are now correcting some issues that will help us reach our goals."

04.20.10
Dwelltech Solutions Donates Portion of Energy Audit Services for Inner City Christian Federation Homes

Dwelltech Solutions, West Michigan's leading energy audit company, is providing energy audit services to Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) at a reduced cost in efforts to help the non-profit organization bring energy-efficient refurnished homes back on the affordable housing market.

Dwelltech is conducting blower door tests on ICCF Homes before and after energy saving improvements are made to increase energy-efficiency while reducing costly energy leaks. Blower door tests are effective in determining the integrity of the building envelope. Air leaks can result in higher energy consumption, moisture condensation problems, uncomfortable drafts as well as issues with air quality.

"ICCF's commitment to affordable and environmentally friendly homes was a natural fit with our mission to make homes more energy efficient, healthier and more comfortable," said Brian Bosgraaf, President of Dwelltech Solutions. "We are happy to assist ICCF by helping them build stable and sustainable communities."

Dwelltech Solutions partnered with ICCF as a way of building awareness for the need to audit and repair homes and business in the West Michigan area, and to benefit the oldest non-profit affordable housing developer in Michigan.

Since 2002, all ICCF Homes have been refurbished and constructed to meet ENERGY STAR® standards, which includes an energy audit and blower door testing completed pre-audit and post-repairs. Once completed, the improvements are expected to produce 30% savings in energy costs, while making homes healthier and more comfortable throughout the year.

"We've found through pre-testing that we are able to develop a baseline for improvements," continued Bosgraaf, "and we can see a significant change in the post-testing results with reduced energy costs and environmentally-friendly living conditions."

Home energy audits are valuable for homeowners who are looking for ways to reduce their energy bills and improve the energy-efficiency and comfort of their home, while being conscious of the environment.

ABOUT INNER CITY CHRISTIAN FEDERATION: ICCF is the oldest non-profit affordable housing provider in Michigan. Active in the Grand Rapids area since 1974, the agency serves more than 2,500 families a year through its programs and services. Program offerings include the Family Haven emergency shelter at 701 Prospect SE (Grand Rapids), 96 units of affordable rental housing, newly constructed homes for purchase, home ownership education and financial counseling. All services are provided in Spanish and English. A variety of mortgage options are available through Providence Home Mortgage, Inc., a subsidiary of ICCF. See www.iccf.org for more information.

02.01.10
Leave Your Hatch Open? Pro Bono Energy Audit of Maritime Museum Reveals Significant Air Leaks

You wouldn't think of leaving your door open during the winter. Yet most cottages, homes and businesses do just that, by not identifying and repairing costly energy leaks. Dwelltech Solutions, West Michigan's leading energy audit company, recently completed a free energy audit for the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, and the results revealed a clear path to saving energy and costs: repair poor seams around doors, windows, attics and spaces.

"It's a common problem," said Brian Bosgraaf, President of Dwelltech Solutions. "Most homes and smaller commercial buildings have the equivalent of a 10 square foot hole in the structure where air - and energy - can escape. That's like leaving your front door halfway open throughout the winter."

Dwelltech Solutions found three main areas of concern in the 44 year old museum, and provided a detailed report for repairs: the attic, crawl space, and exterior walls all need caulking and improved insulation. Once completed, the improvements are expected to produce 30% savings in energy costs, while making the facility healthier and more comfortable throughout the year.

"You want your house to be tight," continued Brian, "but not so tight that the air quality becomes unhealthy. Energy audits are a low-cost means to pinpoint performance issues, and develop a baseline for improvements. It's amazing how much more comfortable and efficient your home can be."

Dwelltech Solutions completed the audit free of charge as a way of helping build awareness for the need to audit and repair homes and business in the West Michigan area, and to benefit the Museum. The Maritime Museum celebrates the rich maritime heritage of the Great Lakes through research, preservation and education. The Museum is interested in environmental stewardship and sustainability, and as they endeavor to remain financially responsible, they are continually searching for ways to do more with less. Dwelltech Solutions is proud to assist them in this effort.