affordable energy efficient house

An Affordable Energy Efficient Home Utilizing Solar and Wind

Power and Solar Hot Water

John Gardner, PE

New HouseCompleted May 2004

Energy EfficientResidential Construction

Utilizing:

Energy Star Construction

Green Building Materials

Rainwater Collection

Solar Hot Water

Hybrid/Solar Wind System

Energy Star Construction• House oriented North/South• South & West walls shaded• Skin Vent wall construction• Continuous soffit & ridge vents• 14 SEER A/C• Rigid A/C ducts w/R-8 insulation• Fresh air intake• R-30 attic, R-19 wall insulation• Radiant barrier roof deck• White metal roof• Double pane, Low “E”, vinyl frame windows• Energy Star Appliances

Site Orientation

North

South

West

East

White Metal Roof

Radiant Barrier

HouseWrap

Skin Vent Wall Construction

Bottom Vent

Top Vent

3/4” air gap

Siding

Sealed Wall Penetrations

Double Pane WindowsLow- “E” Vinyl Frame

Minimum SHGCfor Energy Star= 0.4

14 SEER Air Conditioner

Green Building Materials

• Low VOC Paint• Engineered Beams• Fiber-cement Siding• Formaldehyde-free insulation• Cork Flooring• Minimal construction waste

Minimum Construction Waste

We used ½ of one of these containers

SolatubeSkylight

HomePerformance

Summary

• Ventilated attic• Attic temperatures are reduced• Temperature and humidity levels in the

attic are dynamic• Energy costs are reduced• Results achieved with standard

materials and common building practice

KWH Usage per Month

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Month

KW

H

Typical House in our Area

Our Old House

Our New House

Energy Savings

• 60% less electricity compared to a typical house in our area because of energy efficient construction and Solar/Wind power.

• 40% less gas compared to previous year after adding Solar Hot Water Heater & supplemental heat

• Reduced Carbon Footprint

Supplemental Heat

Vermont CastingsDutch West

Wood burning stoveWith Catalytic

Converter

Heat Powered Fan

Attic vs.OutsideTemperature

New House - White Metal RoofRadiant BarrierRidge VentContinuous Soffit Vents

Our New House

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

8:00AM

9:00AM

10:00AM

11:00AM

12:00AM

1:00PM

2:00PM

3:00PM

4:00PM

5:00PM

6:00PM

7:00PM

8:00PM

Time of Day

Tempe

ratu

re (D

eg. F

)

Outside

Attic

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12 Noon 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM

Time of Day

Tem

pera

ture

(Deg

. F

Attic Temperature

Outside Temperature

Previous House

New Construction

Old House - Dark Composition ShinglesSoffit VentsInadequate Ridge Vent

Recommendations

• Site orientation is very important– Shading– Prevailing winds

• Utilize Energy Star® recommendations– Reduced energy/water requirements– Reduces heat load in the house

• Keep the heat out of the house– Reflective roof– Porches– Light exterior paint color

Recommendations

• Adjust the air conditioner properly– Run long enough to remove humidity– Utilize good sealed air ducts

• Reduce indoor heat load– Compact fluorescent lamps– Efficient appliances

• Maintain good air quality– Non toxic building materials– Fresh air intake

• Educate your builder!!!

Icing on the Cake

• Hybrid Solar/wind system– Generate 190 KWH/month

• Solar hot water heater– Preheat well water to 90-100 deg. F

• Rainwater collection system– Collect 1400 gallons in a 1” rainfall

$6.75/Watt installedBattery backup System

1 KW Bergey XL-1 Wind Turbine

1000 Watt PV Array

Solar/Wind Control Center

Solar Hot Water Collector

Solar Hot Water Circulator

Secondary TankWith Heat Exchanger

Sealed Downspouts Storage Tank

Rainwater Collection System

How much did all this cost?

• Base line house cost• Hybrid Solar & Wind• Rainwater collection• Solar Hot Water

Added Cost/ft2 to the House2100 Square feet

• Solar/Wind - $6.43• Solar Hot Water - $0.88• Rainwater Harvesting - $0.87• Total - $8.18/ft2

Cost to build the house - $64.00/ft2$8.18/ft2$72.18/ft2

Ave. sales price in our area:$86.90/ft2

How much did it cost?

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Solar EnergyAt Work

Everyone can do it!

The Future

Home, Sweet Home

Thank You!