Our goal was to turn our newly acquired and somewhat run down bungalow into a beautiful and comfortable home that was as energy efficient and eco-friendly as possible. We wanted to do this in a way that created modern conveniences and utilized modern technologies, while preserving the craftsman aesthetic of our 1918 home. Our project is a certified Silver, Type III project, which included adding two dormers to create a master suite on the second floor, remodeling the kitchen, and generally sprucing it up. The key energy efficiency features of our home include: closed cell foam insulation in all available applications, redesign of the HVAC system, high efficiency furnace, tankless hot water, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and high performance windows and doors for all new applications. We insulated the sash pockets and reglazed the existing windows to improve the efficiency of the existing windows. Many of the materials used were salvaged and environmentally-friendly, including flooring remilled from an old barn, a kitchen countertop made of 100% paper, and salvaged or FSC-certified lumber and millwork. Throughout the project, we made every effort to reuse materials and minimize waste. The home’s proximity to a light rail station and urban amenities cuts car trips, which further reduces our carbon footprint. By Carolyn Brouillard, Homeowner For more information on this project visit www.metropolismn.com.