Design:
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Technical Details from |
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Design: PV, solar thermal, air-to-air
heat exchanger, radiant floor, low consumption plumbing, fresh-air intake,
central vacuum, R-8 windows, vented walls (to extend life of siding
and stain), propane backup for heat, cooking and drying clothes. Floor Area: 2900 sq ft Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, living room, kitchen, entertainment room, and computer loft Insulation: Walls: 2x6, plus 2 in polyisocyanurate rigid board, equaling R-38 Roof: Truss construction, R-60 Glass: R-8 Hurd Solar Glass (windows and sliding doors) PV System: 4.2 kW (16 RWE/Schott modules), 384 sq ft Inverters: Two Xantrex Sun Tie XRs Thermal System: collector area, 480 sq ft; two 500-gallon storage tanks; active circulation, stage pumps, radiant floor |
The home (2,900 sq. ft.) is designed so that our primary living areas (great room, dining area, kitchen, media room, master bedroom and bath, plus associated storage areas) are located on the main floor. Once you enter the house, you are in our great room...and once you see the view, it's likely you'll not want to move to any other room! Even when the walls first went up, they framed a fabulous view. Check out the plans.
The second story has two additional bedrooms, bath and storage space plus a grand work area featuring an unparalleled view of the surrounding countryside. Guess where my computer is located?
Construction
This is a stick built structure...no pre-fab sections or straw bale. Standard 2x6 framing was used. When all the layers are added up, from interior plaster to the outer siding, the exterior walls are 10 1/4 inches thick.
A vapor barrier sealed the interior, with blue board and plaster completing the interior finish. All window and door jams were filled with expanding foam insulation. Windows and sliding glass doors are R-8 Hurd Solar Glass--one of the highest R-values in the industry.
Winter View
Winter is a fascinating time in our house. The colder it
is, the clearer the sky, the more 'energy harvesting' we do. Yes, we use the
wood stove in the evenings for psychological comfort--not necessary, but the
extra few degrees keep the house warm throughout the night.
This
photograph was taken by architect Steven Strong. Rob Erb, his project manager,
was at the controls of a rented Cessna. This hawk's-eye view of our house was
taken shortly after noon. The solar thermal panels are on the left half of the
roof while the photovoltaic panels cover the right half of the roof.
Fall View
The
final coat of stain along with the white trim finished off the exterior. We've
now had 11 summers perched over the marsh...wonderful family gatherings
powered and enhanced by the Sun.
You're invited to visit during the Annual Tour of Solar Homes, which is on the 1'st Saturday in October.