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Zero-Energy House

Zero-Energy House. Can it be built where I live and how I want?. The Beginning. It all began with a question of how my family could save money and make a positive impact on the environment. Through lots of searching this is what I have found…. Placement-Passive Solar Heat.

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Zero-Energy House

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  1. Zero-Energy House Can it be built where I live and how I want?

  2. The Beginning It all began with a question of how my family could save money and make a positive impact on the environment. Through lots of searching this is what I have found…

  3. Placement-Passive Solar Heat • Position the house with the long sides running east and west • Use summer/winter solstice sun positions to position house to one side of due South • Helps to heat/cool house with sun and shade • Plant deciduous trees on south, east, and west sides of house • Helps shade in the summer and warm in the winter

  4. Size • Calculate cubic feet of house. (L,W,H) (Need to know cuft tempered space for heating) • We are estimating 54,000 cubic feet or 5,400 sq. ft. • Figure out energy used now and plan for changes. (get this from electric bill or utility company)

  5. Heating/A.C • Geothermal-Ground Source Heat Pump, takes heat from the earth to circulate in winter and displace in the summer. • Benefits- • Hotter air in winter • Requires small amount of electricity (72% less than electric HVAC) • Systems smaller & housed indoors making it more durable. • Cost-approx. $30,000

  6. Electrical • Solar- Photovoltaic (PV) Solar cells absorb direct and scattered sunlight. Solar cells connected to form modules. • Mount modules on tracking device to take advantage of more light. • Low Maintenance • Electric costs stay stable (save 40% on electric bills, if tied into grid) • Creates clean energy • Can sell back or store excess depending on type • Cost- $20-25,000 approx. • Can use Building Integrated PV, but not economical for us

  7. Water Hot Water • Solar Thermal- closed loop system uses antifreeze solutions to heat water • Use in climates with extended below freezing temps. • Cost- $10-15,000 approx. Water Distribution

  8. Structure • Optimal Value Engineered (OVE) • 24” on center walls, roof joists, & rafters • 2 stud corners • Vertically align floor, wall, & roof parts • Helps allow for more insulation and retention of heat • Foundation-Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) • Concrete sandwiched between hard forms • Forms help to retain more heat in concrete walls

  9. Points to Ponder for the Future • Green Materials • Flooring • Windows • Lighting-2 watt LED lights • Paint • Roofing-landscape, metal, BIPV (if can be cost effective) • Fixtures

  10. Thoughts Even though I had to revise my thoughts of being completely independent of a grid, we are still going to use as much renewable energy as we can. I hope that in the future grid independence will be possible. These are options that work for my family, please use them as a guide to help your family, but remember to do what is best for you.

  11. Resources Internet www.toolbase.org www.aew.org www.geothermal.marin.org www.swiftwindturbine.com www.energysavers/gov http://www.solarenergy.org/ Key Word Search Photovoltaic, geothermal, wind energy, green materials, zero energy housing Experts Jim- www.rlturner.com Eric- http://www.eciwindandsolar.com/ Books- Your Role in the Green Environment, National Center for Construction and Research, 2008

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