Homes on Tour
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
Home 1
Newly constructed large farmhouse, sited for passive solar with roof
overhangs limiting summer exposure. Energy Star & EarthCraft certified.
Advanced framing techniques improve insulation. Geothermal system cools
& heats home/water with solar hot water back up. The Energy Detective
(TED) should be up and tracking energy usage.
Home 2
The home includes a net metered, grid-tied 3.6 kilowatt array of solar
panels manufactured by Sun Power Solar. A solar powered attic fan reduces
attic temps as much as 30 degrees. The geothermal system supplies their
hot water and is augmented by a Rinnai tankless gas water heater on
the coldest days. A rain garden is planted to the south side of the
house along with protective vegetation.
Home 3
2.7 kW solar PV grid-tied net metering system and 160 gal. solar hot
water system; composted organic vegetable garden; planted over 25 trees
and bushes on property; programmable thermostats and zoned HVAC system;
Toto low flush toilets; replacement low-e Anderson Renewal windows;
high-efficiency 17 SEER rated Carrier Infinity air conditioner; Energy
Star rated Amana refrigerator. This home was featured in a Washington
Post Real Estate cover story in May 2006.
Home 4
This regional park in Virginia presents a program about solar (and other
renewable) energy that is presented to adults and children age 8 and
older; a solar oven and a PV unit are set up for public demonstration.
A “grid-intertied” 1 kW PV system is located at the park
stage and provides 15% of the electrical needs of the park nature center.
The Park manager’s house has a solar water heater. A greenhouse,
situated in the Park’s educational gardens, is equipped with a
solar exhaust fan. A small display about solar energy is in the nature
center.
Home 5
The home has a 1.6 kW grid-tied Sharp PV system, mounted on a southwest-facing
roof with net metering. The home also has a solar air heater with integrated
solar-powered fan, a solar-powered attic fan, a Solatube skylight, a
mini-split ductless air conditioner, and a solar oven, which is used
on sunny days all year. Energy efficient appliances are used in the
kitchen. 100% compact fluorescent or LED lighting. Blown-in cellulose
insulation in attic. Large organic fruit and vegetable garden with extensive
composting and mulching using free materials, including kitchen and
garden waste. Rainwater harvesting system, including underground drip
irrigation system and rain barrel. Electric and push lawn mowers.
Home 6
60 PV panels on the roof. The owners have installed a grid-tied 2.2
kW PV system providing power to the home, their transportation and for
resale back to the electrical grid. The owners have a GFX greywater
heat recovery system which reclaims about 55% of the heat from shower
water. The 4’X10’ flat-plate solar hot water collector on
the back side of the home is connected to a 60 gallon hot water tank
and provides solar heated water. Their primary source of heating in
winter and cooling in summer is a WaterFurnace Premier two speed geothermal
heat pump. Energy efficient appliances are used throughout the kitchen.
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs are used for lighting. The family vehicles
include a 2002 Toyota RAV4 EV and a 2000 Ford Ranger Electric pickup
truck (both are 100% pure battery electric vehicles), and a 2003 Volkswagen
Jetta TDI diesel wagon that is fueled with B100 soy biodiesel. The owners
have an average electricity bill of $165 per month which includes fueling
both of their electric vehicles.
Home 7
The homeowners have installed a 2, 880 watt array of solar panels manufactured
by BP Solar The panels are grid-tied and net metering runs the electric
meter backwards when the panels provide more power than the family uses.
The solar domestic water heating system, consisting of Thermomax evacuated
tube collectors provides 70% of the family’s domestic hot water
requirements. A super-efficient ground source heat pump keeps the family
warm in winter and cool in summer.
Home 8
The school is constructed of 160 beams milled using a portable bandsaw
mill from dead trees, powerline trimmings, and trees that had to be
removed from the site. The wooden floors in the older building were
also milled from these trees. The building’s outer walls are insulated
stress-skinned panels, and the ceiling is insulated with approximately
5000 fiberglass acoustical tiles salvaged from an office building. The
school received a grant from the State of Maryland to use PV. The 1
kW PV system has produced electricity for several years.
Home 9
Former home of Dimensions Unlimited, a Motown booking agent. Previously
owned by only one family. Now a green home working toward LEED status,
with solar hot water and PV, as well as a DC SunFrost with battery backup,
pellet stove insert in the fireplace, a TempCast masonry stove in the
basement, and a Rinnai tankless back-up hot water system. House has
been a donor and recipient of reused building materials. Interior double-glazed
argon-filled framed-in-place picture windows to retain historic casement
windows while reducing heat gains and losses. Various projects at various
stages, including greywater and rainwater collection, corn cob root
cellar using clay from on site construction and radiator efficiency
improvements.
Home 10
The homeowners installed a Standard Solar photovoltaic system consisting
of 28 215 W SunPower solar panels which are completely black and blend
into the roof and are capable of producing 5.2 kW of DC power in full
sunlight. The system is “grid connected” and takes advantage
of net metering. A Fat Spaniel monitoring system displays system performance.
The homeowners also practice other environmentally friendly behaviors:
organic gardening, composting, energy efficient appliances, and lighting
throughout the home, and they drive a Toyota Camry hybrid.
Home 11
Energy conscious renovation of a 1940s 1,200 sq. ft. Cape Cod. Energy-efficiency
features include: natural ventilation and daylighting, and ceiling fans
and efficient lighting throughout; Structural Insulated Panels (SIP)
construction; supplemental insulation of existing walls; and TOFU insulation
of 2x6 construction, old roof and foundation; 823 sq ft of large and
small green roof; 21 SEER AC and heat with energy recovery ventilator,
small electric radiant floor heating, corn stove for heat; and low-impact
cooling strategies. Renewable energy features include: passive solar
design, sustainable corn pellet stove providing 90-95% of heating, 3
kW photovoltaic panels (grid-tied) providing about 75% of electricity,
evacuated tube solar hot water system with PV pump (providing about
80%) and electric backup. Solar PV stats shows average 300 kWh/month
and solar hot water tank regularly holds 55 gallons of 120-140 degree
water. Extensive annotated slide show at:
www.flickr.com/photos/satjiwan
Home 12
Come see the simplicity, beauty and pleasure of natural building as
well as many Green/sustainable technologies, including living roofs,
biodiesel-fueled radiant floor heat (and a hand pump to fill our diesel
cars!), and a corn stove. Also included is an extensive storm water
management plan, gracefully integrated into a beautiful garden including
a retention pond, cascading to a bog and raingarden which terminate
at pervious pavers in the driveway.
Home 13
This 5-unit apartment house has a solar water heater consisting of 4
panels and 2 80-gallon storage tanks. All common area lighting uses
efficient fluorescent lights. There is automated lighting in the garage
and main hall. Solar powered roof vents remove heat from the attic,
reducing the air-conditioning load. These improvements have lowered
electric usage from 800 kWh to 300 kWh per month.
Home 14
The owners installed a 520W grid-connected PV system with a grant and
tax credit from the state of Maryland as part of the Million Solar Roofs
project. Efficient lighting includes a solar tube, compact or T-8 fluorescents,
and LED nightlights decrease the need for lights. The ceiling fan has
energy-saving blades with dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs. Insulated
window quilts protect the home from air infiltration, and the automatic,
sensor-activated faucets help conserve water. The homeowners use an
energy-efficient Sahara dehumidifier, and cook outside with their portable
solar oven. The family car is a Toyota Prius hybrid-electric car.
Home 15
This circa 1963 home was retrofit with 1.9 kW PV panels in 1999 with
assistance of a $3000 grant and 15% tax credit from the state of Maryland
as part of the Million Solar Roofs project and now do netmetering. The
panels save them 20% - 40% on their electricity bills. The homeowners
have been so pleased with the PV system that they recently installed
a 1.4 kW grid-connected PV system on their beach house in Chincoteague.
Additional items include compact fluorescent lights, low-flow toilets
and showers and a set-back thermostat for both heating and AC.
Home 16
In 1982 the homeowners installed a Reynolds solar hot water system and
received a rebate from the State of Maryland for the cost of the system.
In early April and late September the owner manually switches between
the gas backup system and the solar water heater. A gas boiler supplies
a four-level water baseboard heating system for this 2500 sq. ft. home.
Each level has its own set-back thermostat and ceiling fans.
Home 17
This house was built in 1902 by the developer F. P. Nash in the section
of north Kensington known as the Nash subdivision. Because the house
is a folk Victorian with historical significance and a number of irregular
roof lines and towers, placing solar panels in a way that respected
the traditions of the home was the central challenge.
Home 18
The homeowners have installed a 5,500 watt array of solar panels manufactured
by BP Solar. The panels are grid-tied and net metering runs the electric
meter backwards when the panels provide more power than the family uses.
The solar tube lights the previously dark central hallway and provides
light even on overcast days.
Home 19
Three level end unit townhome with grid-tied 2.94 kWh PV. Panels invisible
except from helicopter!
Home 20
This is a two story, three bedroom home with a Sunda, evacuated tube,
solar water heater. You can see one and a half years worth of performance
data, and many more details at www.solar-hot-water.org . A small 220
watt PV system provides daily power and about 4 days of battery backup
for the HW pump. From about April to September the solar system provides
all the needed hot water. We also replaced 55 75-100 watt flood lights
with CFL’s. Summer cooling is much easier with a radiant barrier
installed over insulation in attic.
Home 21
Green in progress. 18 SunPower 230 panels installed in January 2009
by Standard Solar provide 50% (est.) of this all-electric home’s
energy needs. Home has great southern exposure to also allow for passive
solar heating and daylighting. Also includes an organic garden, rain
barrels, composting, and backs to Needwood golf course.
Home 22
Energy efficiency analysis led to several improvements including increased
insulation, new windows, measuring/monitoring power consumption to target
decreases, and energy efficient lighting. Grants from MD and tax rebates
helped pay for a solar water heating system in 2003 and a 5.4kW PV system
in 2008. Other “green” features include EarthWeave wool
carpeting upstairs, bamboo flooring in the basement, and an organic
garden in the back yard. Vehicles used include two hybrid cars and an
electric scooter.
Home 23
Locust Hill, is a historic house that was built in 1868, located in
the Agricultural Preserve of Montgomery County. It is a stone, two story,
3 bay by 3 bay house, with front, back & side porches and 7 working
fireplaces. The house has 2 net metered, solar arrays that provide 90%
of the electrical use. Geothermal heat pumps are being installed to
provide the heating & cooling.
Home 24
This 3.15kW netmetered, grid-tied PV system generates on average approximately
300kW monthly. Owners installed whole house fan. Insulating film was
placed on most of the windows to reflect the sun’s heat in the
summer. All light bulbs are energy efficient. For winter heating, a
highly efficient pellet fireplace was installed. These measures cut
the consumption of electricity from the electric company from a high
of 2000 KWh to below 500 per month. Additional efforts at reducing the
reliance on fossil fuels include an electrical rechargeable lawn mower
and a hybrid automobile.
Home 25
This 3.15kW netmetered, grid-tied PV system generates on average approximately
300kW monthly. BGE installed net meter to give instant credit for the
electricity generated. Standard Solar installed the system and the panels
were manufactured in Frederick by BP solar.
Home 26
A 2700 sq. ft. pseudo-Victorian home, built in 1983, sports 1.5 kW of
BP Solar MST-43 panels with an integrated hot water system. The inverter
is a Xantrex SunTie XR1500, and the system is net metered. Funding assistance
was received through the Maryland Residential Solar Rebate Program.
Compact fluorescent bulbs, energy star appliances and a programmable
thermostat augment energy savings. Rainwater from the roof is collected
in 4 barrels to satisfy the garden’s water needs and they use
indoor and outdoor compost bins. For a preview: www.sunlitleaf.com/house/
ated. Installed by Standard Solar and solar panels were manufactured
in Frederick MD by BP solar.
Home 27
These two staff cottages are the initial phase of a ministry center.
Each cottage is 1250 square feet and is designed to be energy-efficient.
Includes passive solar heating and cooling, well-insulated walls and
roof (SIP and cellulose), top energy-efficient windows and appliances,
insulating window shades, living roof, FSC-certified framing lumber,
geothermal/radiant heating and cooling, grid-tied and grid-independent
photovoltaic panels, solar hot water, masonry heater, oak and cherry
trim from trees on the land, earth plaster and milk paint wall finishes,
stained concrete slab floors, bamboo and linoleum floors, fiber-cement
composite siding and trim, roof water collection, and landscaping with
native plants plus a strawbale building with a roofwater collecting
internal cistern.
Home 28
This farm is home to the University of Maryland’s 2005 Solar Decathlon
entry, an 800-square-foot one-bedroom grid tied house. This house won
the BP “Innovation Award” and the “People’s
Choice Award” in competition with 17 other teams. The house features
51 175-W photovoltaic panels installed on a curved roof, evacuated-tube
solar water heating, a hot-water radiant floor, state-of-the-art appliances
as of 2005, triple-pane windows, cedar siding, recycled glass tile,
recycled rubber flooring, and bamboo flooring and cabinetry. Visitors
will be able to tour the home this fall for the first time since it
was displayed on the National Mall in 2005. Members of the Maryland
Solar Decathlon team and the “residents” will be on hand
to answer questions.
Home 29
In a new cohousing community of 18 homes each of which utilizes ground
source heat pumps for heating and cooling, 6” frame walls to provide
for added insulation, and double pane windows. This home also has a
super insulated lower level with 8”-10” concrete walls insulated
with 2” thick foam on either side. The attached greenhouse and
blower system with thermostat vents warm air from the greenhouse into
the home on sunny winter days. In the community, the second phase of
home building is expected to begin in 2009.
Home 30
This is a log home with a solar water heating system, a super-insulated
roof, and a multi-fuel furnace (oil, wood). The solar water heating
system has a solar powered pump. The house sits on top of a hill on
a wooded lot. They have a small chicken house, solar clothes dryer and
a rotating barrel composter.
Home 31
This home was built in 1954 and thoroughly renovated in 2009. The three
bedroom house sits on 1/3 of an acre within walking and bicycling distance
to public ammenities. Salvaged building materials from the home were
reused. Roof-mounted solar collectors heat domestic water and radiant
floor system (both slab and staple-up systems).
Home 32
The Farm combines wind power with a 2.4 kW wind grid-tie turbine with
a 5.52 kW grid-tie solar system and other efficient conservation measures
resulting in 100% energy saving for the first time this April after
the solar panel system first came on line in February plus banking 240
kilowatt hours of credited power from net metering.
Home 33
The owners have a 7.2kW (32 panels) dual tracker, 2-pole mount, grid
tied PV system. The house has a programmable 6 zone-18 SEER HVAC system
with oil backup. All appliances are energy star rated including a front
loading washer and dryer. Windows are high efficient low E. We also
own a Prius Hybrid.
Home 34
This home was built in 1977 with an addition in 1990. The home was designed
with passive solar elements and a high mass radiant floor heating system.
Since 2006, the homeowner began implementing home improvements (air
sealed, insulation, personal habits) to reduce energy, resulting in
a 40% reduction in energy use. In 2009, solar water heating and PV were
added. Solar hot water is used to heat the home with the radiant floors
and to heat the domestic hot water. The 2 kw PV system completes the
homeowner’s green energy goals.
Home 35
3900 sq. ft. home: 40% of all the electricity in the home is supplied
by a 2.8 kW roof-mounted PV array. Water is solar heated. The homeowner’s
pickup truck, tractor, tiller, and pushmower run on propane.
Home 36
Reused building materials (kitchen cabinets to workshop).
Home 37
Features green roof, gray water flushing system, bio-retention plantings
and much more in this 1930’s row house.
Home 38
The residence had an old 75% efficiency gas boiler and 75% efficient
gas water heater replaced with a 95% efficient modulating, condensing
gas boiler with 200 sq.ft. of flat plate solar collectors. Solar hot
water for domestic, space heating and hot tub use.
Home 39
Retrofit of a 1920’s “daylight” rowhouse.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Home A
This home is an ongoing experiment with treading lightly on the earth.
The passive solar is augmented by PV generated electricity, solar heated
water, low-E windows, a wood pellet stove, a solar cooker, an organic
vegetable garden, and a wood cooking stove. The owner and designer of
the home, has 30 years of experience in solar design, is happy to talk
to others regarding their own solar plans, and will make his library
available to visitors on the day of the tour.
Home B
This house was completely remodeled in 2003 with new insulation and
Low-E gas-filled windows and doors. A 2.7 kW system with twelve Sun
Power 225 watt panels, grid-tied and net metered.
Home C
This home is a beautiful colonial style single family home with a newly
added PV system.
Home D
This strawbale home is under construction. Strawbale construction. 3
walls are strawbale, the south wall is of an insulated passive solar
design. 30” overhangs and a pent roof at the top of the first
floor protect lime plaster walls from wind and rain, direct sunlight
in the summer. The owners use a geothermal system for heating, cooling
and hot water, with concrete slab for thermal mass. Also have a wood
burning stove and geothermal system hot water. A 2 KW photovoltaic system
is grid-tied.
Home E
This 80-year old country house was retro fit with strawbales, new windows,
and a continuous EPS insulated roof for energy efficiency. The owners
replaced their toilet with a composting toilet. An addition to the house
has: a rubble trench, local stone and recycled brick foundation; timber
frame sawn from surplus trees; 14’ north strawbale wall attached
to an internal pole frame, adobe stucco; light-clay infill in South
and East walls that allows timbers to remain exposed inside and out,
infill kept in place with home made wooden lath, lath covered with adobe
plaster, white-washed walls, recycled materials, hand-made tiles, and
clay slip finishes. Outdoor earth baking oven.
Home F
Ryan Home -Avalon Model- with upgrades built in 2001.
Home G
This contemporary, 2950 square feet, frame structure has 83% south-facing
windows and skylights. A greenhouse supplies some passive-solar heating.
A vertical closed-loop geothermal system and a high velocity air-to-air
system provide heating and cooling. An efficient Finnish fireplace allows
the owners to enjoy a fire. Insulation includes R19 fiberglass bats
in the 6” walls, R13 fiberglass bats with R3.8 polystyrene in
the 4” walls, and R30 fiberglass bats in the ceilings. An air-lock
entry, Tyvek wrap, and foam caulking reduce air infiltration. Windows
are low-E thermopane glass. Daylit by skylights. Electric lighting is
fluorescent. Clerestory windows allow natural ventilation. Also, a timer
on the water heater and low-flow shower heads.
Home H
A 2000 sq ft. split-level single family home, in a beautiful neighborhood
of Springfield. South facing roof with PV panels.
Home I
Intentionally compact (1,800 sq ft.) house w/passive solar design, using
minimum amount of space on the solar array. A historically typical Virginia
house except with cutting edge technology.
Home J
Passive solar thermal through greenhouse, heat from wood-burning stove
and a backup mini-split heat pump/AC. A thermostatically controlled
fan between the home & the greenhouse. When the temperature in the
greenhouse rises above 65 degrees, the fan brings the warm air into
the home; above 85 degrees, the fan shuts off & the hot air is vented
outside the greenhouse. Rainwater is harvested and fed into rain barrels
and a 350 gallon water tank buried beneath the deck. Submersible pumps
with remote controls are used to distribute the water through garden
hoses. Additionally, the homeowner who installs “edible”
landscapes and provides “green” tree removal service, grows
the majority of his fruit and vegetables on his quarter acre lot. The
surplus is canned, frozen & stored in a root cellar. Several bee
hives are maintained to provide crop pollination, as well as fresh honey.
The homeowner stocks an extensive selection of fruit trees, bushes,
vines and more in his nursery; he has helped many people grow their
own food and can help you too.
Home K
1920’s Sears kit home was re-retrofited in 1993 to incorporate
several solar features including solar water heating and a 1.5 kW photovoltaics
system on both roofs charges with a large 24 gel cell battery bank.
A rear sunroom adds passive solar heating. A freestanding solar greenhouse
is heated by ground-mounted solar panels. Also .5 kW of new solar electric
peel and stick PV roofing shingles on the metal roof on the front porch
and a solar attic vent fan. Behind the house, 1 kW of solar electric
roofing shingles on the small office building along with a .5 kW small
wind turbine and a 5 kW hydrogen fuel cell for back up power. The new
addition to the home is a direct-exchange ground-coupled (geothermal)
heat pump. The office building has an efficient ductless heat pump and
incorporates CFLs and bundled LED lighting and a solar light tube.
Home L
1905 single family row home in the Capitol Hill area of DC; roof mounted
2 KW solar photovoltaic system is grid-tied and net metered. A Rheem
tankless 7.4 gpm hot water heater. Double pane energy efficient windows;
a solar powered attic fan helps minimize summer air conditioning costs;
and tubular skylight; bundled LED lighting and a solar light tube.
Home M
The Warner Condominium building features solar hot water w/ large super-insulated
storage tanks, aluminum clad sustainable Douglas Fir windows with low-e
argon filled double pane glass, blown-in Bio-based foam insulation,
in-floor hydronic radiant heat (tied to solar hot water), Mitsubishi
mini-split A/C, living roof, passive solar design, standing seam metal
and TPO membrane roofing materials meet “cool roof requirements”,
dual-flush toilets, Rais super-efficient wood burning stove, lots of
natural light. It was designed and developed by unit owners Adrienne
Gallo (architect) and Aaron Bruner. Roof top addition. The solid brick
and new stucco walls provide thermal mass.
Home N
1914 row home recently has had 16 Evergreen 190 PV panels installed
on the standing seam metal roof without penetrating the roof. 14 inches
of celluose was blown into the attic crawl area saving nearly 40% on
the owner’s heating. Exposed side wall was firred out 3”
to add cellulose. Clothes centrifuge gets anywhere from 1 - 2 qts of
water out of a load of clothes making it possible to dry clothes on
the line even in the winter.
Home O
A100-year old DC row house. PV estimated at 50 percent of annual household
electric usage, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,100 to 2,500 pounds annually.
Our renovated basement features salvaged and FSC-certified wood, LED
lighting, radiant floor heat, low-VOC paints and finishes, and recycled
cotton insulation. A Weissman high-efficiency boiler has reduced our
gas bill by 35%.
Home P
1890 home is compact with a total of 870sf of habitable space. A complete
“green” renovation, including the creation of a new stair
and light-monitor with roof-top photovoltaic panels. The windows have
been replaced with double-hung windows as required due to a historic
preservation. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry –
Metro DC Chapter selected the project for the 2008 Grand Award for Full
House Green Remodel.
Home Q
1912 “streetcar suburb” home is in the early stages of an
extensive energy efficiency makeover. Lightbulbs have been replaced
with compact fluorescents, and a high velocity small duct central air
conditioning system has been installed. The owners also installed a
2.58 kW high-efficiency, all black SunPower solar system that meets
just over half of their electricity needs (the rest is sourced from
landfill gas and wind sources through Pepco.) Includes an Internet production
monitoring system.
Home R
Split level home with south facing PV system hidden from the street.
Energy efficient windows and window inserts.
Production monitoring system.
Home S
A 3.15 kW PV w/SunPower panel system, grid-tied and net metered, provides
about 30% of the family’s power requirements and the system production
is visible and monitored live via the web. Other energy efficiency components
include high efficiency windows, high velocity A/C and a solar attic
fan.
Home T
This handyman homeowner installed 1000 watts of PV with panels from
Shell Solar, Matrix, and GE Solar as well as a closed loop Alternate
Energy Technology (AET) solar water heating system. The PV is a 24 VDC
stand alone system, using 12 deep cycle batteries as storage, and a
1500 watt Xantrex inverter. The PV system charges the battery powered
lawnmower, refrigerator, solar hot water pumps, television, and DIRECTV
system. A solar water heating system supplies about 90% of the domestic
hot water needs in the summer and 50% in the winter. A solar oven cooks
food in sunny weather without heating up the home or using fossil fuels.
Home U
A 3.68 KW grid-connected PV system w/ battery backup with financial
assistance from a grant and tax credit from the State of Maryland and
Montgomery County. Other green features.
Home V
This is a split-level single family home.
Home W
Originally a stock 6,600 sq. ft., center stairway, Virginia colonial
house now in the process of major green retrofit. 3.5 kW net-metered
PV. The electric usage was over 1,800 kWh per month before we moved
in and now we average less than 300. June 2008 bill included a credit
of 6 kWh.
Home X
Panels on shed, hot water is piped underground into the home. The home
automation turns off lights in idle rooms and outdoors. Edible landscaping
includes blueberries, blackberries, peaches, apples and walnuts.
Home Y
Homes are clustered to preserve more of the 90-acre site. They feature
energy-efficient designs including passive solar, active solar, geothermal
heating and cooling and many Green building materials. Also public transportation,
organically managed site, and pedestrian friendly infrastructure.
Home Z
2.1 kW solar array supplies approximately one-third of the home’s
power usage. Outback 3648 inverter with battery backup, coupled with
12 x 175 w Shell Powermax modules ground-mounted on a wind-resistant
support structure. The solar hot water system was built from a Heliodyne
Inc. kit. Energy efficient appliances and lighting. Switches to turn
off phantom loads. New for 2008—A 1.0 kW grid-tied solar array
was installed to power the garage/workshop with battery backup.
Home AA
Sycamore Farm was built in 1995 and is off the grid. A barn-shaped home
with PV and wind power, many south facing windows, a thermal chimney,
efficient appliances, and a completely insulated 6” concrete foundation
that is inside the thermal envelope of the house. We use an on demand
propane hot water heater, an oversized pressure tank with a 120V well
pump, and a large wood stove with a native stone backing wall. We also
have luxuries such as a clothes washer and dryer and a dishwasher.
Home BB
The owners upgraded the insulation and installed solar powered attic
fans. Then they added tubular skylights in the kitchen and hallway to
bring in more natural daylight. In 2009, a grid-tied pole mount system
was installed in the back yard. The system produces most of the energy
needs during the year.
Home CC
The Lucy School is housed in a renovated 19th century barn located on
a 17-acre farm outside of Middletown, MD. Seeking LEED certification.
Design incorporates sensor controlled sinks, dual flush toilets and
waterless urinals. Filtered rain water is collected in a cistern and
used to flush toilets. Gray water is used to water plants. Grid-tied
solar system with BP Solar panels. Four (Water Furnace brand) geothermal
heating/cooling systems.
Home DD
The Boonsboro Pharmacy upgraded existing light system to new energy
efficient tubes, installed 10 - 21” tubular skylights for passive
solar lighting. Programmable thermostats reduce the energy demand when
the store is closed. In the spring of 2009, the pharmacy installed an
additional Pole Mount PV system (21kW).
Home EE
Main house is a 1799 stone barn extensively remodeled in 1996. Innovative
wall construction and high-efficiency rigid foam roof insulation prior
to solar energy system additions. In ‘08 a workshop and garage
addition added on the foundation of the original hog pen to provide
a south facing roof surface. The solar hot water system is a basic 2-panel
flat plate system that provides approximately 75% of our hot water needs,
and has been on line since November. The PV system is a 5.1 kw system.
Home FF
60 SunPower SPR-210-BLK photovoltaic modules (panels) on the south-facing
roof of a 100 year-old barn w/a generating capacity of 12.6 KW. Grid-tied
by Two SunPower SPR 6000W inverters (Fiddlersburg circuit of Allegheny
Power). 30 Thermomax Maz-30 (evacuated tube) solar thermal collectors,
flush mounted on the southwest-facing roof of a 240 year-old farm house
listed on the National Historic Trust, and a 120 gallon Vaughn Solar
Storage Tank in the cellar of the home.
Home GG
Old stone house, circa 1830. Solar thermal hot water heating. PV system
supplies 100% of the electricity the homeowners use. Energy star appliances
and rainwater barrels in use. A twenty-five year work in progress.
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