Solar Heating
What would you say if you discovered the new home you just bought could have been 100% energy independent, and ecologically friendly for the same price and luxury level? Net Zero energy (nZeb) homes may cost an additional premium; but over the life of the building, nZeb homes have lower monthly costs, last longer, and have a higher resale value. nZeb homes cost less.
The truth is that current home designs are inefficient, wasteful, and ecologically destructive. Most new homes are built to minimum code specifications, in curb & gutter developments to mimic urban settings: built for quick sale. Most builders build the same thing that sold in the past, and realtors sell the unbits that are built.
Evolution in building must come from consumers who demand more efficient houses with power systems and efficient heating and cooling integrated into the design, rather than relying on coal fired generators to supply expensive, dirty electricity.
Developers and realtors must also realize that business as usual is changing. Home buyers want energy efficient homes using passive solar designs, with integrated power systems already operational, added into the mortgage just like the HVAC system. Efficient homes require smaller HVAC systems, which are cheaper and draw less power.
Retrofitted devices like low cost floating heat collector are another solution to heating a swimming pool or collecting heat for other purposes.
Construction utilizing integrated systems like solar water heating and geothermal cooling are far less expensive to operate than homes with outdated high power natural gas furnaces, 50,000 ton air conditioners, water heaters heating 60 gallons of water hot 24/7, and other power hog systems.
Be the Change! Go Green!
Evolution in New Construction is Consumer Driven
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Homes in developments are built as quickly as possible, meeting minimum code specifications. Inefficient homes like these often have 2 or more HVAC systems. Residential homes burn 50% of the electricity generated in this country, mostly from coal fired power plants. They are part of the problem and are not sustainable. |
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Large homes often require 2 or more massive HVAC units, like the one pictured here, in order to meet minimum building code specifications. Even though these high tech mechanical units are advertised as high efficiency, they still burn a big carbon footprint. |
Developers could increase sales by installing efficient sized community power plants, like water, sewer, and roads; or include home integrated power plants, or energy efficient designer lighting. |
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Developments could make use of fuel cells designed to power every home in their developments. This 250 kw model generates enough electricity to power 100 homes and runs off organic waste. Zero fuel costs for your development. |
| Geothermal cooling ground loops and underground storage tanks and solar water heaters should be installed during the construction phase and integrated into HVAC systems instead of requiring the home buyer to dig up the lawn for retrofit installation, which is expensive and duplicates systems. |  |
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Whole house systems are easy to upgrade. They tend to be more complex, but cost little more and the energy savings will be well worth the initial investment. Any increase in your mortgage payment is far less than utility bills, and resale values are much higher. |
