The Raritan Inn project started as an energy efficiency refurbishment but became a zero-energy project, making it the first zero-energy remodel in the area. The dilapidated old house was made habitable through repairs like a new roof and floors. Energy efficiency measures like dense-pack cellulose insulation, air sealing, and a geothermal HVAC system reduced energy needs by 50%. Solar panels were added to generate as much electricity as the property uses annually, making it nearly energy self-sufficient. The project achieved zero-energy status through a combination of energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy generation tailored to the property's conditions.

1. Raritan Inn
Started as an energy-efficiency
refurb, ended up as zero-energy
project

2. Why is this project important?
• The nation’s first “zero energy” remodel
• In our area (Rt. 513 in Long Valley)
• Done by local (Chester) builder, Asdal Builders

3. Before starting
Dilapidated old
house on 513 near
Raritan River

4. Now
• Beautiful house
• Thriving business as
an Inn
• Takes very little
energy from the
utilities
• http://raritaninn.com/

5. First: make house habitable
• House was vacant for 30 years, had been
vandalized
• Needed new roof and floors
• Needed wall repairs
• All these repairs made it more possible to take
whole-house approach to energy efficiency,
replacing rather then retrofitting systems. This
makes it cheaper to do a great job.

6. Insulation
• Interior walls: dense-pack blown R-15
cellulose
• http://www.cellulose.com/homeowners.html
• Double-pane windows with hard-coat, low-E
film to keep solar heat in
• http://efficientwindows.org/lowe.php

7. Eliminate air leaks for efficiency
• Eliminate air leaks
• Caulk window frames to the framing
• Glue interior wallboard to framing
• Use spray foam to seal sill seam and band joist areas
• Use drywall glue at floor and wall penetration points
• Result: air exchange rate of .25 per hour
• 7 times “tighter” than a comparable house

8. Water pipes
• 3/8 PEX instead of the usual 1/2 copper
• Allows use of direct runs to all plumbing
fixtures

9. The PEX manifold
• Direct runs to all plumbing
fixtures from one spot
• http://www.geoffgoganarchitect.com/th
eghome.html
• Results in less waste in
filling the pipes because
pipes are smaller in
diameter
• Passively increases
efficiency of hot water
supply

10. Energy-efficiency done.
• Insulation
• Air exchange
• Water
• Q. Now what?
• A. Opportunities for “zero-energy” techniques

11. Zero-energy
• Making house need as close to no energy from
the utilities as possible
• Also called “renewable” energy
• Examples:
• Geothermal HVAC system
• Rooftop solar collector to heat water
• Photovoltaic panels on roof to generate electricity

12. Geothermal HVAC system
• Buried system takes
advantage of the earth
to help regulate
temperature
• Reduces heating and
cooling energy needs by
50%
• Possible here due to
high water table and
large lot size

13. Solar energy system
• Rooftop panels to generate electricity
• Estimated to generate as much power as property uses annually
• 70% rebates from state on cost of system helped pay for it
• Internet-accessible realtime status at
http://raritaninn.com/sunflow/raritanenergy.html

14. Added efficiency for HVAC
• Put components in climate-controlled space
instead of the hot attic or outside:
– Air ducts (usually in the attic)
– Compressor (usually outside)
– Air handler (usually in the attic)

15. Hot water system
• System on the cottage roof
lets the sun heat water
• Tankless water heater brings
temp to 125 degrees
– Heats water quickly as it is being
used
– no wasted energy keeping the
tank hot

16. Green isn’t always possible
• Zero-energy is good only when it makes good
economic sense for the given property
– State helped pay for it
– The systems are good for the business of having an inn
• This property had favorable environmental
factors
– Sufficient sun
– Place to put solar panels
– Earth conditions were right for the geothermal system