To take advantage of the roof’s sun exposure and offset
was installing ReWall NakedBoard, a product available at
some of the house’s energy needs, Schoonover and Gupta
Elements of Green in the Crossroads. The wall panels are
decided to have KCP&L Solar install a 3 kilowatt (kW) roof
made of compressed recycled polyethylene-coated cups
mount solar panel system. KCP&L Solar, a non-regulated
and cartons with shreds of recycled materials left exposed.
part of the utility, is now installing residential and commercial
Schoonover liked this one-of-a-kind design so much she
solar. The system will be tied to the KCP&L electric grid. When
decided to showcase it rather than paint over it.
the system produces more than it needs, the extra power is fed back to the grid for a credit to the homeowners. When it does not produce enough electricity to meet their needs, the system pulls electricity from the grid. Overall, the solar panels are expected to provide about a third of the home’s energy needs. Although the house qualifies for a 30 percent federal solar tax credit, it did not quality for a KCP&L solar rebate because it is located in Kansas. According to KCP&L, rebates are available in Missouri through 2020 or until the rebate limits are met, whichever comes first. For rebate information, visit www.kcpl.com/solar.
Improvements above and below The attic, basement and crawl space were identified as
New interior energy-efficiency fixtures While raising the overall R-Value of the home was a major part of this remodel, it was not the only focal point. In order to maximize these improvements, the couple needed to update their heating and cooling system and the water heater. Schoonover and Gupta replaced their old water heater with a new Energy Star-rated GE GeoSpring heat-pump water heater, which is estimated to use up to 62 percent less energy than a standard electric 50-gallon water heater. It can also be remotely monitored and controlled to further reduce energy usage. The existing furnace was operating at about 70 percent efficiency. The couple replaced it with a new Carrier dual-fuel heat-pump furnace with a modulating valve that operates
areas contributing to the home’s overall air leakage problem, so each needed individual attention. The attic was an obvious fix. The energy audit revealed that the attic had an insulation value of about R-13. Building codes require at least R-30, and Energy Star-rated homes have a minimum requirement of R-49. After the existing insulation was augmented with blown-in cellulose insulation made from recycled magazines and newspapers, the attic achieved a rating of R-50. Because stone walls are not great insulators, the basement and crawl space needed updating, as well. The rim joists above the wall were insulated with 12 inches of spray foam. Schoonover requested that one of the stone foundation walls in the basement remain untouched in order to preserve some of the home’s original, unique characteristics. The other three walls received a polyethylene vapor barrier and a 2-inch blue-board insulation behind a stud wall that was filled with unfaced R-13 batt-fiberglass insulation. The finishing touch
A small 75-foot-square addition was added to the back of the house to enlarge the dining area. Once completed, solar panels were added to the new roof. Photo: Dave Robson
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