Projects

Green Planet Options LLC
Creating a Sustainable Future

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Projects

To See Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Planning at Work, Check Out Some of Our Projects Below:
                                                             Hamden
                                                            Vogel - Iannotti Residence
                                                            Norwalk Residence
                                                            Wesleyan Potters
                                                            Charlie's Closet

Guilford Housing Authority Zero Energy Housing

Green Planet Options is working with the Guilford Housing Authority to design and develop 9 new units of affordable net zero energy housing for the elderly and disabled. The one bedroom apartments are 600 square feet, garden style and attached in clusters of three around a central courtyard. The buildings will be LEED certified employing sustainable standards in Site Development, Water Efficiency, Energy Use, Material Selection and Indoor Environment. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating program certifies completed buildings meet all criteria to be considered a "green building".

The project was one of twenty selected by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund's "Zero Energy Challenge" statewide competition. An initial Home Energy Rating System (HERS) analysis indicates the apartments will have an average monthly utility cost of $7.

The apartments have the following features:
            - Insulated Concrete Forms (R -24)
            - Structural Insulated Panel Walls (R-38)
            - Trussed roofs with Celulose Insulation (R-57)
            - Mini Split Ducted High Efficiency Heat Pumps (SEER 17.8)
            - A heat recovery ventilation system to provide continuous fresh air
            - An on-demand hot water heater
            - Standing Seam Metal Roof with a solar reflective index of 72
            - 2.76 KW photovoltaic solar array
            -  2 flat plate solar thermal collectors for domestic hot water
            - High efficiency appliances and lighting

Bird's Eye View Exploded Section

Hamden Renewable Energy Program - Hamden, Connecticut
Green Planet Options is working with the Town of Hamden to establish a town wide energy efficiency and renewable energy program. The program would allow town residents and businesses to have a central location for information on planning, funding and financing of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy options. The program would provide a list of available measures along with sources of funding, current rebate programs and financing alternatives as well as assistance in planning, design and pricing. We are also exploring the establishment of a unique renewable energy leasing model that would provide renewable energy options for minimal up front expense.

Vogel - Iannotti Residence - Branford, Connecticut

This 1800 square foot residence is located near the center of town on a narrow lot. As a first step, Green Planet Options arranged for the installation of increased insulation in the walls, foundation and attic as well as installation of new thermally efficient windows. The project included the removal of an existing 24 year old boiler and the installation a new 4 ton geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling and a 120,000 btu on-demand gas fired hot water heater for domestic hot water. The geothermal heat pump system required drilling two 300 foot deep wells adjacent to the house for thermal transfer. The total monthly utility costs (gas and electric) with the improvements average $128. This includes heating, cooling, hot water and all electric use. Previously, the owners were paying an average of $350 per month. We estimate the payback time for the improvements will be 7 - 8 years with an added benefit of central air conditioning.

Norwalk Residence - Norwalk, Connecticut

The residence was a new construction on the Long Island Sound. Green Planet Options consulted with the owner, architect and builder to incorporate green and sustainable measures into the design. Though the owner did not opt for certification, the measures were based on LEED criteria. Some of the measures included:
    - The installation of a whole house heat recovery ventilation system which provides fresh air to improve indoor air quality reducing mildew, dust and allergens
    - Rainwater recapture system for gardening and non-potable use
    - 6.9 KW solar photovoltaic array - producing up to 80% of required household electricity needs
    - Passive solar utilization including a thermal mass, rock storage area which captures daytime direct solar heat from large south facing windows, transfers the heat to the rocks and stores it for later use at night.  The design would also help reduce excessive heat gain during warm days.

Wesleyan Potters - Middletown Connecticut
We are working with the non-profit group to analyze their 11,000 square foot pottery studio and educational facility for potential energy conservation and renewable energy options. As an intial step we targeted the replacement of the existing large single glazed windows with efficient Kalwall panels and insulated glass. The energy model we created indicated this change alone will save the group $6500 annually in heating and cooling costs. As a next step we designed a 19.3 KW photovoltaic solar array for the roof that will save the Potters over $4,000 annually. Funding is being arranged by Green Planet Options that includes tax credits, rebates and low interest loans.

Charlie's Closet - Guilford, Connecticut

We are working with the local non-profit on the installation of a 3.22 KW photovoltaic solar array on their office which will supply 85% of their electricity needs. Funding is being sought through the sale of tax credits to private investors which will pay for most of the cost of the system.