RENU House
RENU — Net Positive energy Smart home
In the heart of Rantoul, Illinois, RENU House stands as Buildsolar's flagship project, embodying sustainable and affordable development in rural areas. Founded by myself and a classmate, Buildsolar, a federally recognized non-profit, leads the entirely student-managed and designed RENU House initiative. This project not only reflects our commitment to sustainability but also demonstrates the power of student-led initiatives in fostering positive change in communities.
RENU house used carbon conscious building principle and materials, such bamboo flooring and exterior façade from MOSO, PEX piping, insulation cellulose made of recycled wood & paper products. LCA results on our project showed the impact of our design and material choices, which only released 150 ton of CO2 , compared to 1000 ton of CO2 released in building average houses of this scale through United States.
RENU-House is an effective altruism endeavor, were we through our partnership of habitat of Humanity donated the house to a family in need. Apart from the philanthropic success, it also produced remarkable results when entered in U.S. Department of energy’s global competition, Solar Decathlon. RENU house received multiple awards in Architecture, Engineering and Market Analysis.
I as the CFO and Co-founder of BuildSolar want to continue this journey of producing projects such as the RENU-House, this is the reason I am seeking a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering.
Timeline
Nov. 2021 - Sept. 2023
RENU House - Building System
This 1,510 SF net-zero energy home in Rantoul, Illinois, is a triumph of systems meticulously chosen by our 100% student-run team. Our structural system, featuring a slab on grade foundation with high-performance concrete and prefabricated panels, sets a new standard for efficiency in construction.
Our energy systems showcase unparalleled prowess. With 22 Mission Solar Modules, SolarEdge power optimizers, and a DC-coupled lithium-ion battery, RENU House surpasses industry norms. Analysis through Ekotrope and SAM indicates an estimated 12840kWh consumption and an impressive 13184kWh solar production annually, positioning us as a true net-zero home. The SolarEdge inverter, coupled with power optimizers, not only ensures maximum efficiency but also contributes to a reduction in overall energy consumption.
In heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), our LG mini split heat pump with R1 compressor technology achieves a remarkable SEER2 rating of 22, exceeding the 2023 DOE mandate by 64%. This decentralized system allows independent zone controls, optimizing energy use and enhancing user comfort.
Home automation is a seamless experience with Leviton smart load centers, offering real-time energy insights and remote control. Energy-efficient LED lighting and Energy Star-rated appliances, such as our induction range and dishwasher, result in substantial energy savings when compared to industry averages.
Beyond technology, RENU House stands as a beacon of environmental achievement. Boasting an ACH50 of 1.30 and R-value of 30.9, our home outperforms industry benchmarks for tight construction. Our plumbing system, incorporating a tankless water heater and PEX piping, ensures efficient water use, saving over 43k gallons per year compared to the LEED baseline.
In terms of embodied carbon, our conscious material choices, from locally sourced Jeld-Wen windows to eco-friendly MOSO Bamboo siding, significantly reduce environmental impact. A life cycle assessment reveals that RENU House's embodied energy is significantly lower than the average house, showcasing our commitment to sustainability.
My Role
As the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Build Solar Inc. in Champaign, IL, I played a pivotal role in establishing this federally recognized non-profit organization (501-C3). I spearheaded the creation of a platform dedicated to building and supporting sustainable and affordable projects in Illinois. Collaborating closely with institutions like the US DOE, I successfully secured funding exceeding $500k for solar home projects in rural areas. Through strategic partnerships with local development and urban planning authorities, as well as other non-profit organizations, I ensured the successful execution of projects.
Additionally, I worked alongside lawyers and legislative bodies to increase awareness of solar credit programs, contributing to the organization's impactful initiatives. In my role as the Structural Engineering Lead and Treasurer for RENU – Solar Decathlon – U.S. Department of Energy in Champaign, IL, I demonstrated my technical and leadership skills. I meticulously prepared a structural drawing package for a sustainable net-zero home, employing excel sheets to calculate initial loads and design lateral & vertical load-resisting systems.
Managing the bid awarding process, I wrote construction contracts and scopes, ultimately awarding the project to a local general contractor. My responsibilities extended to acquiring sponsorships from suppliers, manufacturers, and institutions, along with conducting market analysis, modeling, and finance allocation during the preconstruction phase. The culmination of these efforts led to the significant achievement of RENU winning 4th place in engineering in the U.S. Department of Energy competition – Solar Decathlon, highlighting the success of our collaborative and innovative approach.
