18 Maxson St, Rochester

The ColorBrightonGreen.org’s Green House Award, 18 Maxson Street in the City of Rochester’s Northeast side, caught our interest with due to a surprising transformation that the owner carefully researched and completed in 2007 with documented huge energy-saving results!

In 2006, the homeowner completed an energy audit on her contemporary split-level home and did the following recommendations.

Door/Windows

  • Windows replaced with triple pane windows
  • Replaced basement windows with basement glass block windows
  • Replaced 2 exterior doors with Energy Star rated doors

Insulation/Ventilation

  • Created a cool roof (to decrease ice dams) — Cool-Vent insulation panels on the roof
  • Insulation blown into exterior walls (1950’s home) — Air Krete insulation
  • Foam insulation blown into rim joists (at floor level) and between garage ceiling and bedroom floors above

Heating/Cooling Equipment and Appliances

  • Installed high efficiency furnace
  • Installed Energy Star rated refrigerator and washing machine

Electricity

  • Purchases 100% green power from ConEd
  • Replaced all light fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs

Other

  • Compost bin for food and yard waste

Results

The homeowner documented one year’s worth of energy use before and after the work.

  • 25% reduction in gas
  • 44% reduction in electricity

Work was paid with a low-interest loan and grant through NYSERDA programs.