This Old Victorian Home in Minneapolis Becomes Net Zero

The Hermans have been very interested in the idea of “aging in place,” living in a home that is comfortable and livable, but designed with the future in mind: they might need to make it accessible for ramps, wheelchairs, etc. To meet their aging in place goals, stairways would need to be widened, and all doors would be at least 36” wide, to accommodate wheelchair access.

But to them, the future isn’t just about themselves and the possibility of failing bones and joints—it is about a healthier future for their grandchildren (and our world), which means limiting the burning of fossil fuels, reducing waste, conserving water, and managing stormwater onsite—to name just a few of the issues their home addresses through its design and renovation.

How did their journey begin? In 2014, they found a 107-year old Victorian home on a small city lot in Minneapolis. Serendipitously, Stewart had stopped by a Home and Garden Show, where he heard about the concept of a “net-zero energy” home. Having been intrigued by renewable energy since the energy crisis in 1973, he told me, “When I learned about Net Zero Energy homes, a light bulb went on.” Could they remodel an existing home such that it would not contribute to climate change? The next year of design and two years of construction proved that they could. 

Unique Features of the Home

Typical to most net-zero energy homes, this old Victorian was retrofitted with all LED lights, triple pane windows, and efficient, ENERGY STAR appliances. No gas appliances are in the house, eliminating the need for combustion venting and keeping the indoor air quality healthier (the code-required carbon monoxide detectors will never be triggered). What is not typical is that this home was a remodel—so several innovative ideas needed to be incorporated. Below, we share a few highlights, excerpted and slightly modified from Stewart’s “Innovations” Flyer he wrote himself to share his knowledge.

1. Insulating the house from the outside.

Typically, old homes are insulated by tearing out the interior walls and putting in fiberglass batts, or punching holes in the walls to fill with cellulose or other types of insulation. This home used the “PERSIST” (Pressure Equalized Rain Screen Insulated Structure Technique) insulating system, which involves insulating the house from outside. But because the walls were pushed out, they had to apply for a variance in the permitting process—which was eventually granted, but it did delay the project. The benefit of adding insulation on the outside was that no space was lost on the inside. (In theory, it would also mean that fine plaster walls could be preserved, but they needed to gut them for HVAC and plumbing access.) The result was highly insulated walls, rated at R-40.

Being Part of the Solution

Looking at our homes as part of the solution to our planet’s issues is becoming a trend because, with newer technologies, we can do so much more with our homes. But what is so unique and important about this home is that it is a renovation of an existing house. As the building community is called upon to address climate change, new buildings can more easily be built to being at least net-zero ready. But the existing building stock—to the tune of over 70 million single-family owner-occupied homes in the United States—presents much more of a challenge.  Since most buildings are existing buildings, and they tend to last a long time, renovations are a necessity. For the Hermans, the overall results are quite satisfying. They estimate they offset carbon at a rate of 12 tons per year. Stewart wrote, “We have the daily, delicious experience of feeling that we are part of the solution rather than part of the problem.”

The Best Surprise of All

With one of the only 100-year-old homes in the country to be LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy certified (at least that we know of!), the Hermans clearly met their goals. On an annual basis, for their excess solar production, they receive more back from in cash from the utility than they pay in utility bills. With no gas combustion in the house, their insurance rates decreased. But the best part? “I had no idea what this house would be like to live in. It’s been a real surprise: no cold spots, no drafts, no moisture on the windows condensing in the winter, no noise from outside. It is remarkably comfortable for old bones.” The idea of aging in place never sounded so good.

Team

Design by Marc Sloot, SALA Architects, and Katie Leaf, SALA Architects
Interior Design by Marc Sloot and Homeowners
Landscape Design by Marc Sloot and Homeowners
Construction by Sean Morrissey, Morrissey Builds
Landscape Installation by Charlie Kraemer, Landscape Charlie
Structural Engineering by Christian Soltermann, Align Structural
Mechanical Design and Installation by Jason Massmann, Massmann Geothermal and Mechanical
Photovoltaic Array Design and Installation by Innovative Power Systems