EP Home Features

The Energy Producing Home utilizes several readily available technologies. To find out more click the following links.

Photovoltaic     Energy Efficiency     Solar Hot Water     Air Sealing     Vehicle     Net Metering     Geothermal

Photovoltaic

Photovoltaic technology makes use of the abundant energy in the sun, and it has little impact on our environment. Photo, derived from the Greek word for light, and volt, relating to electricity pioneer Alessandro Volta. So, photovoltaics could literally be translated as light-electricity. And that's what photovoltaic (PV) materials and devices do — they convert light energy into electrical energy (Photoelectric Effect), as French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered as early as 1839.

A photovoltaic (PV) or solar cell is the basic building block of a PV (or solar electric) system. An individual PV cell is usually quite small, typically producing about 1 or 2 watts of power. To boost the power output of PV cells, we connect them together to form larger units called modules. Modules, in turn, can be connected to form even larger units called arrays, which can be interconnected to produce more power, and so on. In this way, we can build PV systems able to meet almost any electric power need, whether small or large.

source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/photovoltaics.html

[ Back to Top ]

Energy Efficiency

The EP Home requires less energy than a typical house to provide the same level of energy service. This is achieved using a super insulated building envelope (the shell of the home), Compact florescent lights, harvesting the suns energy through passive solar orientation on the building lot and energy efficient appliances.

Some of the highly efficient appliances include:

• 30” Electric Freestanding Range by Electrolux (Model # EI30EF55GS)
• Front Load Washer with IQ-Touch Controls by Electrolux (Model # EIFLW55HIW)
• Electric Front Load Dryer with IQ-Touch Controls by Electrolux (Model # EIED55HIW)
• 24” Built-in Dishwasher with IQ-Touch by Electrolux (Model # EIDW6105GS)
• Standard-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator by Electrolux (Model # EI26SS55GS)

[ Back to Top ]

Solar Hot Water

Solar heating harnesses the power of the sun to provide solar thermal energy for solar hot water, solar space heating, and solar pool heaters. A solar heating system saves energy, reduces utility costs, and produces clean energy.

One of the most cost-effective ways to include renewable technologies in a building is by incorporating solar hot water.

A typical residential solar water-heating system reduces the need for conventional water heating by about two-thirds. It minimizes the expense of electricity or fossil fuel to heat the water and reduces the associated environmental impacts.

source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/photovoltaics.html

[ Back to Top ]

Air Sealing

Reducing air leakage from the house envelope and ductwork is typically among the most significant improvements that can be made to reduce energy use, as well as improve comfort, health, and building durability. In winter, less cold, outdoor air would replace heated air, reducing drafts and cold areas. In summer, more hot, humid air would be kept out of the house. Pollen, dust, and radon entry can be reduced. The potential for structural damage resulting from moisture being carried into walls or attics with leaking air would be decreased. Another potential benefit associated with reducing air leakage, as with most other upgrades such as improved insulation or windows, is the ability to downsize heating and cooling equipment when it is replaced.

Air sealing can significantly reduce energy costs. Heat, air and moisture continuously flow throughout a building, proper air sealing will affect how moisture is controlled, the indoor air quality and combustion safety of the home.

source: http://www.toolbase.org/

[ Back to Top ]

Vehicle

Various vehicles are under review. Further information will be forth coming. If you have a vehicle that you feel will meet our criteria please feel free to contact Mark Neumann at 262-542-9200.

[ Back to Top ]

Green Features

The EP Home has significantly increased the efficiency of the home by using Energy Star appliances, using compact fluorescent lighting, and insulating more than a typical home. This home uses renewable energy to power the home as well as many other green features. Read below for more details.

• To control erosion of the sites top soil Silt Sock, a bio-based recycled material, was used.
• Advanced framing practices were used to decrease material waste during construction.
• Pedestrian activity is promoted with nature paths throughout the subdivision
• A natural resources inventory was documented and conservation is a high priority for this development
• Construction reduces cut/fill, and minimizes soil exposure while preserving natural water and drainage features
• Native grasses, vegetation and trees are used on site and are protected during construction
• Topsoil was reused
• Recycling is required on site
• Recycled building materials were used when possible
• A waste management plan is posted on site
• A minimum of 50% construction and land-clearing waste is recycled
• All appliances are Energy Star Qualified and conserve water
• Plumbing is not installed in unconditioned spaces
• Solar water heater installed
• Photovoltaic panels installed
• Geothermal heating and cooling is utilized
• Energy monitoring device installed
• Low-volume irrigation system installed for landscaping needs
• EPA Certified Wood burning fireplace installed
• Energy Star exhaust fans installed
• Living space is sealed to prevent unwanted infiltration of contaminants

[ Back to Top ]

Net Metering

Net metering is a policy that allows homeowners to receive the full value of the electricity that their solar energy system produces. The term “net metering” refers to the method of accounting for a home's electricity production. Homeowners with energy producing systems can offset their electric bill with any excess electricity they produce. As the homeowner's system produces electricity, the kilowatts are used first to meet any electric requirements (e.g., appliances, lights) in the home. If more electricity is produced from the system than the home needs, the extra kilowatts are fed into the utility grid.

At the end of the month, if the customer has generated more electricity than they used, the utility credits the net kilowatt-hours produced at the wholesale power rate.

Net metering allows homeowners who are not home when their systems are producing electricity to still receive the full value of that electricity without having to install a battery storage system. Essentially, the power grid acts as the customer's battery backup, which saves the customer the added expense of purchasing and maintaining a battery system.

source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/net_metering.html

[ Back to Top ]

Geothermal

Geothermal systems work similar to an air conditioner or refrigerator. If you place your hand behind either one of these appliances, you will feel warmer air. What they are doing is pulling the heat from the inside and depositing this heat outside. It is then pulling in outside air and cooling it using a compressor.

With a Geothermal application, instead of using air, it is using the constant temperature of the soil and water in the earth. So instead of blowing warmer air out, it is moving the warmer air to a water loop which them deposits this energy into the ground for air conditioning. For heating a home, the opposite process takes place.

Half of the energy from the Sun that hits the Earth every day is absorbed by the ground and water. The result is that the ground remains at a constant temperature of between 10°C and 15°C all year round at a depth of about six feet below the surface.

[ Back to Top ]