For the past two years, the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) has been working with the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of foreclosed and abandoned homes in neighborhoods especially hard hit by the current recession. Under SHRA’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), qualified single-family developers/builders renovate abandoned homes in low income neighborhoods and sell them to low and middle income families. Sacramento Habitat for Humanity (SHfH) was selected by SHRA as the NSP “mission” builder to rehabilitate five homes. SMUD approached SHfH on using the 2380 North Avenue home as an Energy Efficient Remodel demonstration home with a goal of using the home as a model for future SHfH rehabilitation projects. SHfH had already completed several energy efficient new homes with SMUD and plans to expand into the existing home market and agreed to do the North Avenue demonstration to gain knowledge and experience to apply to future projects.
The home at 2380 North Avenue was originally built in 1946, has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, and is approximately 1,107 square feet. It had extensive termite damage and dry rot on the exterior, as well as the under floor. All necessary structural repairs from termite damage were made, and then the crawl space and the perimeter were treated. Part of the stud walls, some of the floor joists, and the roof needed to be replaced. Deconstructing the existing building included salvaging the doors, windows, HVAC, plumbing and electric fixtures, and cabinets; these items were donated to the local Habitat ReStore, which sells inexpensive new and used building products to the public. The existing hardwood floor was carefully extracted and used as furring strips between the new fiber cement siding and the 1½” rigid foam insulation. The door at the entry was also reconditioned and reused. New, 50% recycled carpet and low, or no, volatile organic compounds (VOC) tile flooring was installed. The interior was painted with low, or no, VOC paint. Construction and demolition waste was 50% recycled, and clean wood, concrete, and green waste were 100% recycled as well.
The home was an ideal candidate to incorporate the energy efficient upgrades of the SMUD Energy Efficient Remodel Demonstration program. Read more about why in the full case study from SMUD.