THE OWNERS OF this Middlebury home expect the investment in a large, rooftop solar array to pay for itself in energy savings in about nine years. That is a few years faster than is typical in this part of the world.
Stepping outside the traditional farmhouse Middlebury couple builds efficency into their dream home By ABAGAEL GILES MIDDLEBURY — When Jason and Nicole Chance of Middlebury set out to build a home in 2016, they knew they wanted it to be as energy efficient as possible. “We knew we couldn’t afford to build an entirely passive home and we didn’t love the look of what we’d seen in that category,” says Nicole. “We wanted the look of a traditional farmhouse but for it to be as tight as possible.” To actualize this concept, the Chances, who lived previously in East Middlebury for 11 years, chose to work with New Haven-based firm Silver Maple Construction and Gregor Masefield of Bristol-based Studio III Architects, an architect who specializes in energyefficient design and is certified with the United States Passive House Institute. Passive houses use high-tech insulation, building orientation and air sealing systems to maximize the use of the sun as a heat source. Air filtration systems help ventilate the buildings, which
are so tight that owners cannot use gas features of a passive home, double-paned appliances or fireplaces without creating windows and a large rooftop solar array. a carbon monoxide hazard. They also opted for an electric heat Masefield has designed other passive pump system that pushes hot air into the homes in the Middlebury area, including home in the winter and cold air in the one located in the village summer. To get the most not far from the high out of their solar array, school built in 2016. In was important which they purchased 2018, Masefield told the through Bristol Electronto me to have Independent’s Christy ics, they chose a seamed Lynn that he was so enam- an open layout and a metal roof over a shingle ored with the design of that big mudroom. (The one. They expect that inbuilding, he built a similar architect) laughed and vestment, which was more home in Lincoln for his to last about was like, ‘So you really expensive, own family. 30 years — the expected The Chances, who both want a box with a hat lifetime of their solar array. grew up in old Vermont on it.’ I said, ‘Yes, but “The break-even farmhouses, wanted a we want you to make it point for our solar array more traditional layout. investment is roughly “It was important to me energy efficient and the nine years,” says Jason, a to have an open layout and best use of the space.’” mechanical engineer by a big mudroom,” says Ni— Nicole Chance trade. “That’s pretty good cole. “At one point, Gregor for Vermont. The folks at laughed and was like, ‘So Bristol Electronics said you really want a box with a hat on it.’ that 10 to 15 years is typical for an instalI said, ‘Yes, but we want you to make it lation here.” energy efficient and the best use of the Matt Kilcoyne, a senior customer supspace.’” port specialist for Efficiency Vermont, a For the Chances, not wanting to waste public utility that offers Vermonters access costly resources was a huge factor in opt- to information and financial resources ing for an energy-efficient design. They to improve the energy efficiency of their opted for a more traditional farmhouse homes and businesses, says those looking layout with the envelope and circulation (See Chances, Page 3C)
“It
Addison Independent •March 21, 2019