50 Rockaway Ave

Simon and Kaya purchased their 1,900 sq. ft. mid-century modern ranch in 2013, shortly after getting married. At the time, the home remained largely unchanged from its 1955 origins, featuring original appliances - including a vintage dishwasher - and coral boomerang Formica countertops. The home relied on the original oil furnace for heating and an aging single-zone central air conditioning system.

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Beginning in 2019, they undertook a comprehensive transformation focused on electrification, efficiency, and sustainability. In 2019, they installed an electric vehicle charger, followed by a 12.8 kW photovoltaic solar system in 2020. After the central AC system failed in 2021, they replaced it with a Mitsubishi air-source heat pump system, including one condenser and three indoor mini-splits, providing both heating and cooling, supplemented by a replacement gas furnace.

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Recognizing the home’s significant heat loss due to its many original single-pane windows, they gradually upgraded to high-performance glazing. In 2024, they completed the full window retrofit, installing triple-pane windows where feasible and double-pane where necessary. This was complemented by a whole-home insulation project, including exterior-injected cellulose, significantly improving the building envelope.

With the home now properly sealed and insulated, they installed a second air-source heat pump system - adding another condenser and three mini-splits - to achieve full-home coverage and enable a complete transition to electric heating.

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In parallel, they enhanced the property’s sustainability by significantly reducing lawn area and replacing it with dozens of trees, along with extensive pollinator and food gardens. They also added an indoor/outdoor hydroponic system, a rainwater collection barrel, and a clothesline.