Research & Initiatives

TRANSFORMING AMERICA'S HOUSING STOCK

Imagine if a thousand homes in North America reduced energy use by 70% to 90%. In some respects, it might seem like only a drop in the bucket compared to the 124 million households in the U.S. and 13 million in Canada. On the other hand, those first one thousand homes achieving deep energy reductions could be the most important milestone in the revolution happening in residential energy conservation.

Are you convinced that we need to make drastic changes in residential energy use?

Are you prepared to think radically about what can be accomplished?

Are you committed to rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work necessary to create real change?

You may be a great candidate for joining the 1000 Home Challenge.

1000 Home Challenge Resources:

Thousand Home Challenge Description
thc_description.pdf 

Thousand Home Challenge Intro
Updated 4/1/09 - This PDF provides a brief synopsis of the Thousand Home Challenge, and an overview of the indicators of performance. An explanation of the determination of the customized household energy use threshold is included. This document is designed to complement the spreadsheet, THC Threshold Calculator V 1 (or above).
thc_intro_indicators_of_performance_04_01_09.pdf

Thousand Home Challenge Intro Webinar
Updated 04/01/10 - This PDF provides an introduction to the Thousand Home Challenge and is designed to be used with the Intro to Thousand Home Challenge Webinars. As a result of attending, participants should have a clearer idea of whether or not they are interested in participating in the THC as a homeowner, consultant, contractor, organization, or program. View the schedule of upcoming introductory webinars. TO PRINT THIS DOCUMENT MULTIPLE PAGES PER SHEET, select File, then Print. In the Paper Handling box, in the Paper Scaling area, choose Multiple Pages per Sheet, then choose 6 for the number of pages, click OK.
thousand_home_challenge_intro_webinar_05_08_10.pdf

Thousand Home Challenge PPT Case Study - Bindley
bindley_thc_case_study.pdf

Thousand Home Challenge PPT Case Study - Livermore
livermore_thc_case_study.pdf

Thousand Home Challenge PPT Case Study - Lutz
lutz_thc_case_study.pdf

Thousand Home Challenge PPT Case Study - Renner
renner_thc_case_study.pdf

Threshold Calculator
Updated 12/13/09 - This spreadsheet calculates the customized household energy allowance that must be met or exceeded to meet the Thousand Home Challenge (THC), using OPTION A (based on actual pre consumption) or Option B (based on climate, finished floor area, number of occupants, and heating source) User inputs are entered in the first tab, User Interface. The Thousand Home Challenge is in the pilot phase. Comments on the Threshold Calculator should be sent to Linda Wigington at lwigington@affordablecomfort.org. Check back for further refinements and more information about the Threshold Calculator.
thc_threshold_calc_v_1_3_mod4.xls

Threshold Calculator Detailed Description
Technical explanation of inputs and formulas in the Threshold Calculator Spreadsheet"
thc_threshold_calculator_detailed_desc_02_17_09.pdf

What Others are Saying about the Thousand Home Challenge

Energycircle.com
Environmental Health Watch and Affordable Green Housing Center
Their letter to the editor of the New York Times

Home Energy magazine
Home Energy magazine May /June 2009 article about the Nor Cal Collaborative and the Thousand Home Challenge.

Planning Tools for Potential THC Projects

1. THC Homeowner Priorities Worksheet
THC Homeowner Priorities Worksheet helps a household clarify their priorities in order to make the value proposition for a proposed deep energy retrofit project. This supports the design process and improves communication with the project team (or family members) as well.
thc_homeowner_priorities.xls

2. THC Heal-Saf-Durability Have-a-Plan
THC Heal-Saf-Durability Have-a-Plan raises issues that may be relevant to a retrofit project’s success and begins to document health, safety, and durability considerations within the scope of work.
thc_heal_saf_durability_have_a_plan.xls

3. THC Paths to Thermal Comfort
THC Paths to Thermal Comfort stimulates out of the box thinking to support the examination of solutions to reduce heat loss or heat gain and to enhance thermal comfort.
thc_paths_thermal_comfort.pdf

4. THC Reduction Matrix
The THC Reduction Matrix can be used for any proposed or potential Thousand Home Challenge project. It allocates pre energy use and estimates what and how reductions will occur to meet the Thousand Home Challenge.
thc_reduction_matrix.xls

5. THC Ten Steps to Deep Energy Reductions
Ten Steps to Deep Energy Reductions provides a framework for assessing and implementing a deep energy reduction project for a specific dwelling.
thc_ten_steps_to_deep_energy_reductions.pdf

6. THC Principles for Smart Staging
If doing an "All-at-Once" project is not an option, consider these principles as you plan a staged approach to deep reductions.
thc_principles_for_staged_reductions.pdf

NorCal Collaborative

NorCal Collaborative Description
One page summary of the NCC's mission, goals and organization.
nor_cal_collaborative_description_07_08_09.pdf

NorCal Collaborative Participants
One page list of people who attended at least one of the first three NCC meetings.
nor_cal_collaborative_participants_07_08_09.pdf 

*The links are provided solely as a resource. ACI (Affordable Comfort, Inc.) does not endorse any specific organization, study, product or service.