Partnering to Build Better Green Homes: MaGrann Associates

MaGrann Associates is an innovative energy/building consulting and engineering firm based in Mount Laurel, New Jersey and at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.  Since 1982, they have partnered with clients to deliver exceptional performance in customized building design, program management, and green building certification. 

MaGrann helps to build customers a better green home: 

• A more energy efficient home using fewer resources
• A more energy efficient home producing less emissions
• A healthier, more durable home
• A more comfortable home
• A higher valued home

By partnering with building professionals, utilities, and program sponsors, MaGrann integrates proven building science solutions into its comprehensive consulting and engineering services, guiding clients through the green building process. 

Examples of MaGrann’s work include: 

• A Residence in the Pittsburgh Metro Area:  This 4,300 SF contemporary single-family home was custom built to be as close to net zero energy as possible. The ENERGY STAR® Qualified and NAHB National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Bronze certified house received a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 53 and used high performance building principles to reach its energy efficiency goals. The Johnson’s home is built with R-40 Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs); spray foam insulation in 2x6 above grade walls; radiant heating under concrete floors; a 7kW photovoltaic array; and a geothermal heat pump that uses 50 percent less energy than a conventional HVAC system. The home incorporates sustainable design concepts, to make it more environmentally-friendly, healthier, comfortable, and energy efficient. The Low-E windows permit the entry of natural light while helping to reduce the cooling load in summer. Cork flooring is installed throughout the house, and the front door is made from locally-sourced ash. To support a healthy indoor living space inside a super-insulated envelope, the home includes a heat recovery ventilator (HRV.) This ventilation system removes pollutants and excess moisture from the air while delivering fresh, outside air to the whole-house. Lastly, the home is situated east-west with south-facing windows with appropriately designed overhangs to take advantage of the sun’s contribution to heating in the winter without overheating the home in the summer.

• A Residence in the Philadelphia Metro Area:  This single-family home is part of the Thin Flats project in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. The ENERGY STAR® Qualified and LEED Platinum certified house received a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 57 making it 43% more energy efficient than a standard code home of the same size. The home is built with R-17 insulated foundation walls; R-33 spray foam insulation in above grade walls; R-50 icynene insulation in ceilings; and R-12.5 slab edge insulation. Solar thermal heating is included in the home, along with low flow bath and kitchen fixtures, and air source heat pumps with desuperheaters.  With the solar thermal heating and desuperheater, the home’s utility costs are 42% less than a standard code home.  Aesthetically, the home also incorporates a sustainable design concept. Low-E windows installed admit natural light while helping to reduce the cooling load in summer. An 80 gallon tank stores the solar hot water generated. More than 90% of the hardwood flooring is environmentally preferable. To support a healthy indoor living space inside a super-insulated envelope, the home includes a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). This type of ventilation system removes pollutants and excess moisture from the air while delivering fresh, outside air to the whole-house. Not only is the home built using eco-friendly materials and principles, it also helps preserve the environment. One hundred percent of the storm water is managed on-site and over 90% of the construction waste was diverted from a landfill. The walkable neighborhood has nearby access to transit and other community resources, which enables homeowners to use their cars less or live without one all together.

• A Residence in the Scranton Metro Area: This custom-built, lakeside residence incorporates sustainable design practices both in the building’s performance as well as material selection. The ENERGY STAR® Qualified and LEED Certified house received a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 63. The residence is built with a Superior Wall foundation; cellulose insulation was also added to the Superior Walls to increase R-value and used in above grade walls after any penetrations were sealed with expanding/nonexpanding foam; radiant heating  tubes run under floors to spread the heat evenly; ground source heat pumps with 16 SEER air conditioning and a separate geo unit for domestic hot water; geothermal heat pumps that use 50 percent less energy than a conventional HVAC system; a structured plumbing system with an on-demand water recirculation and heat recovery system that minimizes energy used to receive hot water; pin-based CFL’s  throughout the house; and a home automation system to control lighting and HVAC use to maximize efficiency. Aesthetically, the home also included a sustainable design concept. The home’s Low-E windows admit natural light without over-heating the rooms. Bamboo flooring is featured prominently in the house, and zero-VOC paints were incorporated into the whole project. To support a healthy indoor living space inside a super-insulated envelope, the home includes a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). This ventilation system removes pollutants and excess moisture from the air while delivering fresh, outside air to the whole-house. Finally, even the landscape factors into the overall efficiency by utilizingplants that are native to the area and drought-resistant, requiring no irrigation. 

More information about MaGrann Associates can be found here: http://magrann.com/index.html