The Energy Producing Home (image: Neumann Developments)
Who says that a home with cutting-edge energy efficiency has to look like an ultra-modern pod? This recently completed Wisconsin home packs so much energy tech that it makes money by selling electricity back to the grid, and it still keeps a low neighborhood profile.
Neumann Developments, the creators of the home, state the following as the goal of the project:
“Constructing an economically viable mainstream home that will produce more energy than it consumes – allowing for a dramatic reduction in greenhouse emissions and dependency on foreign oil.”
Tracking Solar Array (photo: Neumann Developments)
Two solar arrays are the heart of the property’s electricity generation. A Wattsun solar tracking array in the back yard provides 4,600 kWh of electricity annually, which is dedicated to charging an electric vehicle. Another rooftop photovoltaic setup provides 14,700 kWh yearly, which is much more than the home requires. Surplus power is sold back to the municipal grid for a substantial profit – in July, the home made $408.16 from the local energy utility.
Further energy efficiency comes from the geothermal heating/cooling system in the basement. Glycol fluid circulates through tubing buried below the foundation where the temperature is a year-round 54 degrees. The heat-exchange system provides all necessary summertime cooling, and eases heat production in the winter.
Geothermal Heat Exchange Unit (photo: Neumann Developments)
Energy Star appliances and top-notch insulation round out the home’s energy efficiency. And although the specialized solar and geothermal gear did add a substantial amount to construction expenses, the cost of the upgrades was cut in half by rebates and tax credits.
For more information, visit the Neumann Developments website.
(via Dvice)
Read more! Related stories:
- REI’s LEED Certified Stores
- “Low-E” Windows Maximize Buildings’ Energy Efficiency
- SolarDucts: Heating Air and Generating Power
- New World Record Set For Solar Efficiency: 31.25%
- The PowerPod: A Green Home That Arrives On A Truck
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome! How affordable is it to build a home like this? What is the square footage? Please share more info. on this one and any other ones like it.
One day, I’d like to buy one.
Thanks,
Steve Behrens, Royal Palm Beach, Fl.
Nice article. Appropriately efficient.
Was there any mention of the price?
I love that for once metaefficient is showing us an evolutionary example of efficiency. Seriously, this kind of energy saving technology adds practically nothing to the cost of any new suburban construction today.
I’d love to build house like this. The demand for something like this in Nebraska just isn’t there. I built sips house 10 years ago and it is very energy
efficient and it could easily be upgraded to produce more energy than it consumes. Thanks for email
A quick look at the website for the “EP Home” shows not a single shot of the rooftop PV?… that is either a HUGE oversight or evidence that this house is a total sham. The rendering is not at all convincing. The specifications are weak and misleading. The developer appears to be speculative as best. Is this house even finished yet?
A little dose of healthy skepticism.
Note to Neumann Developments: post proof or you will soon learn that there IS such a thing as bad-press.
In response to Marley-
The Dvice article about the house (see link at the end of the post above) features more photos of the completed home, including the rooftop PV setup. There is also a video tour of the home.