Ellen Katz
Username
Ellen Katz
Proposer First Name
Ellen
Proposer Email
ejkatz88@gmail.com
Proposer Last Name
Katz
Boston 2021 Areas of Focus
Proposer Company/Organization
Registered Architect
Proposer Job Title
Architect/Owner
Proposer Additional Info
Residential architect
MIT '78, '83
Proposed Session Description
Our goal - renovate our home for comfort and sustainability. Add solar power, eliminate fossil fuels to the extent possible. The challenges - historic house (on the National Register) needed a new roof line, a new heating plant, and new insulation. The house renovation had to be approved by the municipal historic commission. But how to insulate 100-year-old structural brick walls? Learn about the cold-temperature air source heat pump, considerations in insulation, hot water heating decisions and what we would have done differently. With energy savings plus federal and state incentives available in 2016, our 8.82kW solar system recovered its cost in 4 years. About 70% of our energy is provided by the solar array. The remaining 30% is zero carbon through Newton Power Choice.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
When I became registered in 1991, 15% of all registered architects were women. When I joined the AIA, they sent me a sterling silver tie tack.
Learning Objectives
Issues when insulating structural masonry - what's the maximum R value for antique brick exterior walls?
We have a acrylic "window" into one wall, showing the assembly we used, an image will be included in the presentation.
Issues in domestic hot water heating - why a heat pump hot water heater may not be preferable, and other options
Solar panels on historic homes, design considerations
Ducted systems vs wall-mounted "mini-splits" - why we chose ducted, and the pros and cons. What to watch out for, and post-occupancy considerations.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 2 - Some prior knowledge helpful.
Session Format Details
30 - 40 - minute presentation, followed by Q & A. If scheduling is an issue, it could be a 30-minute presentation, but that would be a bit hurried.
Recommended Length
60-minute session
30-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2021
Comments about your speaker roster
Ellen would be the primary speaker, with Nick attending primarily for the Q & A.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
We recently gave a very simplified version of the presentation to a group of Newton City Councilors, per request. If asked, we can send a link to that presentation. Thank you.
Reviewer 1
Evans, Bryan
Reviewer 2
Evans, Bryan
Proposal #
206
Committee Decision
Being Considered
Presenters
Full Description
Older homes can be sustainable, even historic homes. A lot of carbon went into the construction of our home in 1919. Don't let the best - net-zero goals - be the enemy of the good, i.e. a home that makes much of its own energy (and the rest comes from fossil-fuel free electricity through a municipal program.) Don't willy-nilly throw insulation at structural masonry - it's complicated. Solar panel installations can be aesthetically pleasing, or, at least, inobtrusive. Design matters.