My South Leigh house

 

By 2005 renewable technologies were well-proven and highly evolved, so I was determined to include active as well as passive solar systems in my new home. The goal was to create an even more energy-efficient home that was essentially independent from the electric grid (but not off the grid).

A compact stacked design with an earth-bermed daylight basement built with insulated concrete forms makes a home that is easy to heat. Close attention to insulation and building wrap maximizes heat retention. We included an in-floor radiant heating system with small, super-efficient boiler that heats both the basement and main floor, keeping a baseline temp of 65 degrees and warming your toes as you walk around barefoot. We used Italian tiles for the floors as the best match for finishing the thin concrete slabs. A woodstove complements the in-floor heating for extra warmth on cold nights. Passive solar design provides the first line of warmth and light.

The solar PV system has proven itself to be more than adequate for our electric needs other than our deep well's 220 volt pump. The batteries take occasional maintenance, topping up the water, but otherwise the system is easy and no hassle. The solar water heater works well spring through fall and prewarms domestic water in winter, when the gas boiler heats water while also heating the house.

Active solar systems cost a bit upfront, but that cost is less than most cars and usually less than 5% of the total cost of a new house. These reliable, durable systems will pay this cost back over time, typically between 5 and 10 years, while immediately giving you such benefits as a reduced or zero utility bill, energy self-sufficiency, protection against brownouts and blackouts, a dramatically reduced carbon footprint - a warm feeling inside and out! We highly recommend it.