Hano Homes completes final testing
Sustainable Comfort, Inc. recently completed final testing and inspections for the Hano Homes project. Blower door testing, assisted by targeted air sealing, enabled Haycon to achieve an average of 0.27 cfm50/sf across all ten duplexes—representing a 61% improvement in air tightness.
SCI’s guidance was instrumental in achieving this significant performance gain for the deep energy retrofit (DER). One major source of hidden leakage was discovered behind the existing bathroom vanity mirrors, where empty wall cavities have now been sealed with mineral wool insulation.
Haycon has since invested in its own blower door testing equipment to support future projects. To further improve outcomes, we plan to allocate more time in future schedules for blower door-assisted air sealing.
The project has achieved Phius 2021 Core Design Certification and is on track for additional certifications, including ENERGY STAR Multifamily, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, and EPA Indoor Air Plus.
However, persistent air leakage through the existing fieldstone and brick foundation made it infeasible to meet the full Phius Core 2021 or Revive 2024 certification targets. These repairs were outside the project scope and could not guarantee definitive results on a limited budget.
Finally, the upcoming PV array installation is projected to bring the project close to net-zero energy performance.
Photo Credits: Sustainable Comfort, Inc