in Middleboro MA
Video's of the project
We have begun construction of this new energy efficient passive solar home of the future.
Designed to use the natural ability of the sun to heat the home, with an innovative thermal mass window system that is the in my opinion one of the best passive solar products to be developed in recent years. This window system will allow us to store the suns energy without overheating the space. Traditional passive solar homes had large windows with large spaces and lots of thermal mass ( concrete, stone ). When the sun was shining and the house was charging itself up with the suns energy, the spaces within the house were sometimes unbearably hot and very very bright, resulting in a space that was mostly uninhabitable for much of the day. This system will allow us to modulate the suns energy while storing it within the window system, tinting options are available to control light levels for comfort. This prototype window system has been under development by Hunter Douglas for many years and this is the first real world installation of there latest design. If you want to be one of the first to see this innovative home we will be having tours at intervals during construction. As well as being part of the NESEA's green building open house http://www.nesea.org/buildings/openhouse/ .
For more info check out www.eebt.org/passivesolar.html
Features of the house
- Passive solar orientation
- 150 sqft of specialized thermal mass south facing windows
- Geothermal heating and cooling
- Insulated slab on grade foundation with integrated radiant floor heating and cooling
- Structural Insulated Panels wall system ( SIP's ) walls R-26 ceiling R-40
- SIP's allow for minimal air infiltration, on of the largest heating losses within a home
- One floor living, making the space adaptable for handicapped accessibility
- Energy recovery ventilation system
- drop down exterior window shades along south side, for solar control
- Energy star appliances and lighting
- 1,976 sqft 4 bedrooms, 2 bath, kitchen
- Stained concrete floor through, enhancing the beauty of the house while boosting the performance of radiant floors heating system.
- Primary entrance designed as an airlock system to reduce transfer of thermal loads while heating or cooling.
- Zero Energy adaptable, the roof is designed with adequate space for PV to supply the home. Once the home is up and running for at least one year the PV system will be designed to meet the homes needs.
- Centrally located utility room to reduce plumbing and electrical runs
I have set some very high goals for this home and will be recording the performance over the course of the next few years. If my calculations are correct I expect the heating costs for this New England home to be less than $700 annually. With an anticipated total energy bill of less than $1,500 annually.
The ultimate goal for this home would be a total annual energy bill of less than $1,000 , we shall see, if this performance level is reached you would need a 5KW Pv array to meet the homes total energy demands. This is not an inexpensive option, but on worth fully exploring. The cost to convert this home to a Zero Energy home would be an additional $50,000, and would make it a Zero Carbon home as well. Stay tuned updates will be listed on my web page www.eebt.org/passivesolar.html
The goethermal horizontal ground loop is being installed Monday, I will post some pictures and video when it is done.
Thanks Tom Pittsley
