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Homes on the 2011 Tour
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
Home 1
PV, solar thermal with gas tankless backup, an off-the-grid SunFrost refrigerator/freezer, solar windows (In'Flector reversible film for reflecting and absorbing sunshine), mini-splits, masonry stove in the basement, manual grey water systems, zero-cost weatherization techniques (plastic bags pushed into crevices with a butter knife), venting skylights and passive ventilation system, clay paints in some rooms, interior insulation that is sound-absorbing, old casement windows modified with interior double-pane argon-filled picture windows framed in place, high efficiency boiler, reclaimed sinks and cabinets, novel uses for Chambers stove pilot lights (dishwater heating, hot rocks for cool seasons), rain barrels and river-friendly garden. Projects planned for completion by October, fireplaces sealed and modified for candle-burning, skylights weatherized for hot and cold seasons, decorative heat-loss barriers for radiators, attempted Feng Shui modifications; built circa 1908.
Home 2
This 1914 row home has 16 SunTech 175 watt PV panels (2.8kW) with Enphase micro-inverters on the standing seam metal roof without penetrating the roof. From installation in Sept. 2009 through early July 2011 the panels have generated more electricity than the homeowners use. In a recent remodeling 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. Homeowners have just installed new energy-efficient windows.
Home 3
The owners installed a 1kW PV system on the roof of their circa 1909 DC rowhouse. The panels provide between 40-50% of their electric needs. Their 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 their gas bill by 35%.
Home 4
The home was built in approximately 1890 and is 12' wide with two floors over a crawl space, for a total of 870 sf of habitable space. When initially purchased, one-half of first floor house was uninhabitable due to water and termite damage. It has undergone a complete "green" renovation, including the creation of a new stair and light-monitor with roof-top photovoltaic panels. All the HVAC systems have been replaced with high efficiency units. The windows have been replaced with double-hung windows as required due to a historic street designation. Interior improvements included a new full bath, new kitchen, study, dining and living room with a direct-vent gas fireplace. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry – Metro DC Chapter selected the project for the 2008 Grand Award for Full House Green Remodel.
Home 5
This home's PV system is designed to serve as an emergency backup power source during grid power outages. The solar panels are essentially trickle chargers for the batteries that are then used for power when the grid is disabled, supplemented with a natural-gas powered generator that activates automatically when battery voltage drops. The original purpose was to assure that the owner's Amateur Radio station would be "on the air" no matter what, but the project expanded to include the nine major circuits of the house! It has functioned flawlessly for three years and indirectly led to construction of a solar lawnmower (battery-powered with battery charded by the PV panels).
Home 6
The homeowner has a 1600-watt grid-tied photovoltaic system (that is producing more electricity than is used), a solar air heater with solar-powered fan, two mini-split ductless heat pumps/air conditioners, a direct vent gas heater, a solar-powered attic fan, a solar light tube, 100% fluorescent or LED lights, cellulose insulation, a solar clothes dryer, and an organic fruit and vegetable garden with rainwater harvesting.
Home 7
This 1958 split-level home has been updated with a range of EE/RE (energy efficiency / renewable energy). The renewable energy elements include solar (5 kw solar pv system, solar hot water (two panels, 120 gallon storage tank), solar light tubes, solar cone for composting) and a high-efficiency fireplace insert.
Home 8
This five-level four-bedroom home is located in one of the DC area's best keep solar secrets…. the Lee Brooke Passive Solar/Super-Insulated Home Subdivision built by Hart Development Corporation back in the early 80's. All the homes in the development are south-facing and have 12" double-stud wall construction with R-22 and R-38 insulation in the walls and attic. This home has an added greenhouse bay window and solar tubes for daylighting. Other features include double/triple glazed windows, air lock entry, radiant barrier, heatalator-type wood burning fireplace, energy and water efficient appliances, a rain garden and composting.
Home 9
Originally an 1800 sq ft home that utilized passive solar strategies, minimal footprint and recycled materials, the house received a timberframe addition 6 years ago. The addition added an 800 sq ft. shop with a new living room above, both under a planted "green roof", a study tower with a garden shed underneath and greenhouse on top, added space to the upstairs bathroom and an airlock entryway. The addition applies passive solar/ daylighting strategies and recycled materials much as the original home. Siting of the home north of many deciduous trees, an elongated east/west axis, ample glazing facing due south and minimal glazing on the north and west elevations contribute to its passive solar abilities. The green roof, minimal footprint, low-impact, low maintanance landscaping (minimal lawn), and a semi-pervious bluestone driveway all reduce the impact of this construction on the local ecosystem. An ultra-low-flush toilet was added this year to replace one of the existing low-flush toilets. The owners routinely compost and recycle materials. One owner works at home and the other within walking distance ( <2 miles.)
Home 10
This 1850 sq ft home has achieved carbon-neutral footprint with a combination of a grid-tied, 13 kW PV system, solar heated water, ground-source heat pump, Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, and upgraded insulation.
Home 11
2.5 kW PV grid-tied system offsets 1/3 of household electricity. Designed with eleven 230W Canadian Solar modules and Enphase Microinverters. One of the first installed in Loudoun County. Installed by owner who will share all the details including construction, performance and financials. Also equipped with the Total Energy Detective (TED) household power monitoring system which displays real time grid power draw vs. Solar power generated.
Home 12
The homeowners added a pole-mounted PV array in the yard of this circa 1780 traditional stone house. The array is grid-tied and also has battery backup for critical services and was sized to provide more power than the homeowners currently use. The solar thermal system was designed to provide solar hot water for both domestic supply as well as for the central heating systems. Excess heat from the solar thermal system is used in the summer to heat the pool.
Home 13
9 kW Solar PV system and a 4kW Solar Hot Water system installed on the front southwest-facing roof -- designed to demonstrate that renewable energy can easily be installed on a suburban home. Rain barrels and urban composter in use at the home. Various energy reducing strategies used in the home – CFLs, LED lighting, power strips on computers and TVs, programmable thermostat, low-flow toilet inserts. Bamboo hardwood in dining room.
Home 14
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. Funding assistance was received through the Maryland Residential Solar Rebate Program. The house is heated and cooled with a dual fuel heat pump/gas furnace system. In addition to reducing their energy use, they're also trying to use less of other resources. Rain barrels satisfy the garden's water needs. A variety of compost and vermicompost bins keep the household's waste to a minimum- check out the worms at work. A solar oven is often used for cooking. But often, they don't cook at all -- come see the results of their adventures in fermenting a variety of foods!
Home 15
These two staff cottages are the initial phase of the Simple Gifts Earth Ministry Center at Dayspring, a 206 acre church retreat farm in east Germantown. Each cottage is 1250 square feet, and is designed to provide an energy-efficient home for a couple or a small family. They include passive solar heating and cooling, well-insulated walls and roof (structural insulated panels/blown 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, (purchased electricity from 100% wind), 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. A solar strawbale greenhouse with roofwater-collecting internal cistern is an auxiliary feature on site.
Home 16
Our home has a 3.15 kW DC solar PV system on the southwest facing roof that was installed in December of 2009 by Standard Solar, Inc. The system consists of 18 Suntech 175 Watt PV modules with black cells, frames and background. Our PV system also employs micro-inverters by Enphase instead of a traditional string inverter. This feature enables individual control of the maximum power point on each module as well as individual module production data and alerts through the Enphase Enlighten website. Our system is also monitored by the Locus Energy residential monitoring system which adds the feature of measuring and displaying electricity demand by our home in comparison to the production of the PV system. Some other energy-efficient features our home includes are an Energy star refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine and central air conditioning system. Every major home appliance and mechanical system has been replaced in the past two years. Our 16 SEER air conditioning and 95% efficient gas heating system are controlled by a touch screen digital programmable thermostat. In addition to upgrading all of our appliances and mechanical systems, we have also done several other minor energy efficient upgrades. We have installed an Energy Star rear sliding glass door that is argon filled with a low-e coating. All windows in the home have been fitted with custom made cordless translucent cellular insulating shades. Every light bulb in our home has been replaced with a compact fluorescent. We have also installed an Energy Star fan in our master bedroom, as well as renovated the half bath in the basement to include a water-sense compliant toilet which uses pressure assist technology and only consumes one gallon per flush. Over the past 14 months our PV system has produced 78% of our total electricity needs. The rest of our electricity is purchased through a contract with Washington Gas for wind energy.
Home 17
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 was built by the Riggs family, and has only had 3 owners. Maintaining old houses is the most sustainable approach as most studies show it is almost impossible to recoup the embodied energy held in the old structure. The current owner, is a commercial architect that is committed to sustainable development. To better understand the issues and lead by personal practice, the house will be an essentially a zero carbon property, except for occasional fires (for ambiance purposes). 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 18
The owners have made gradual improvements toward energy efficiency and renewable energy use since purchasing the home in 2003. The initial steps included increasing insulation in the attic, changing out windows, monitoring all appliances with a Kilowatt Meter, then adjusting usage, employing power strips that could be shut off, and changing out appliances based on age, relative energy use, and personal needs. All lights were switched to CFL's early on; one has since been changed to an LED. In 2006, a vacuum-tube solar hot water system was installed; the Maryland Grant helped subsidize the cost. In 2008, a 5.4 kW photovoltaic system was added to the main roof. Part of the cost was offset by the Maryland Grant program, the Montgomery County property tax rebate, and a small federal tax credit. 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. Future plans included updating the washer/dryer and air conditioning units, and purchasing a plug-in hybrid or full electric vehicle as the next major car purchase.
Home 19
2.1kW Solar Electric System consisting of 12 Suntech 175 Watt solar modules and 12 Enphase microinverters. The system was installed by Standard Solar and is equiped with a Locus Monitoring System. Other features of the home: energy-efficient HVAC, energy-efficient washer, low flush toilet, sustainable building materials, low-VOC paint, LED lightbulbs, rain barrel, compost bin.
Home 20
Selfridge Builders had built a LEED certified home in Clarksville, MD. This home built by Selfridge Builders is not only LEED certified, it is beautiful, functional and energy efficient. The 5400 sq ft home is currently averaging greater than 4 times less than the average energy cost for this size home. Solar PV roof system and solar thermal hot water panels provide electricity and hot water for the home. Additional features which make this home LEED certified and eco-friendly include: BRAC Grey Water Reclaim System, Energy Recovery System, Energy Efficient HVAC, Indoor Air Filtration, BiOx Clean Air Plant, No VOC finishes, FSC Woods, Underslab Foam Insulation, Water Saving Faucets and Toilets, Merv 16 filter, Energy Efficient Appliances, and LED Lighting. This home is a fully decorated model home and available for sale.
Home 21
LEED Platinum green affordable houses. They were also intended to be universally designed for comfortable living.
Home 22
The owners installed a 6.5kW PV system with microinverters on every panel. To improve the energy efficiency of the home, they injected foam insulation into the walls. The PV system supplies 90% of the home's energy needs, and the primary vehicle is a RAV-4 electric vehicle.
Home 23
Owner designed and built, earth-sheltered passive solar home, not finished yet, shaped like a truncated isosceles triangle. 445 sq ft south glazing with movable insulation. 12 in thick concrete walls extend 6 ft below floor. Thermal mass consists of 684,000 lbs of concrete, 536,000 lbs of rock, 200,000 lbs of earth, and 24,500 lbs recycled automobiles. Wood stoves provide backup heat. Summer cooling by passive thermal conduction to earth and dehumidification by conventional window air conditioner. Rock bin is outside of the house and under the berm providing 2,000 sq ft contact area with adjoining earth. R 35 walls, R 38 + R 50 ceiling insulation. Low pollution design by selection of building materials and by low pollution heating and cooling. 4 to 6 ft of earth buffer weather conditions 4 to 6 months out of phase. Air wells are used to harvest early fall ambient heat and early spring ambient coolness by pumping air into rock bin. Extensive use of glass, wood, rock, and metal. Low plastic, low formaldehyde house. Economics of putting earth over the roof for insulation did not make sense, so the house's earth sheltering is done without earth over the roof. 100% battery electric car. Solar hot water heater. No surface water discharge from site.
Home 24
LEAFHouse is a net-zero solar-powered home, designed and built by University of Maryland students for the 2007 U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon, where it took 2nd place internationally (1st place among US entries). The house features solar electricity, solar hot water, solar-powered subfloor heating, a unique solar-powered dehumidification system, as well as many other green construction features and a beautiful and ingeniously-designed interior. The house is just 800 SF but was designed to be replicable so that it may be used for larger residences or multi-family use. LEAFHouse is now the chapter house for the American Institute of Architects' Potomac Valley Chapter, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting good design and sustainability in the built environment.
The LEAFHouse, UMD's entry in the 2007 Solar Decathlon which took place on the National Mall was conceived with three central principles: connect to the natural world, create a home that is flexible at many scales, and use energy efficiency as a guiding principle. This enormously popular and technically outstanding modular home is now available as an office/meeting space for the Potomac Valley Chapter of the American Institutes of Architects (PVAIA). PVAIA's purpose in buying the LEAFHouse is to continue the mission of educating people about Leading Everyone to an Abundant Future (LEAF).
For details and photos, see:
http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/20/prefab-friday-marylands-solar-decathlon-leafhouse/
http://www.solarteam.org/page.php?id=250.
Home 25
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 26
The owners installed a 520 watt grid-connected PV system with a grant and tax credit from the state of Maryland as part of the Million Solar Roofs project. Solar tube skylights decrease the need for lights in the central bathroom and kitchen. Light fixtures and lamps all use compact fluorescents or T-8 fluorescents with electronic ballasts. The ceiling fan has energy-saving blades with dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs. Nightlights are either Limelite , Indiglo electroluminescents or are LED. 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 decrease the load on hot summer days by cooking outside with their portable solar oven. A Toyota Prius hybrid-electric vehicle gets them around reliably with great gas mileage.
Home 27
Original 1920's gable frame house was gutted and retrofit with strawbales. A timberframe addition was added to one end of the house and infilled with strawbales for insulation. A small loadbearing strawbale guesthouse was built by Builders Without Borders using lime and earth plasters and was featured outside the Capital building for almost a year. A small studio using a modified infill system was built and finished in local clay plasters. A variety of strawbale and plastering techniques were used in the structures from low to high-end. Boards, timbers and posts were obtained locally and milled using our sawmill or chainsaw. Lots of experiments in local reused materials, and timbers, trees, and found objects. Key themes are local natural materials, do-it-yourself, low cost, and non-manufactured.
Home 28
This home, completed in 2011, is off-grid with a 10 kW photovoltaic system. Heating is by a bank of 9 flat-plate panel solar thermal collectors and radiant floor system. On cloudy days, this is supplemented by a two-ton geothermal heat pump, and in the worst weather, a Navien tankless water heater, all through automated optimizing controls. Cooling is accomplished through a unique geothermal in-floor radiant cooling system aided by 2 air handlers. The home is of timber frame and SIP panel construction with R-44 walls, passive solar engineering, an insulated precast foundation, and Serious quad pane windows. While the home is off-the-grid, it has all of the comforts of a typical home with washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc. The home is also a LEED for Homes project, and should obtain at least a LEED Gold rating later this year.
Home 29
This Shady Side home is an ongoing experiment in living lightly or sustainably on the earth. It is intended to have no negative impact on the earth making it possible for the owners to live close to and learn from nature. The owners have added to the features above a Miami room, nesting osprey, and an organic vegetable garden. More important than the parts is the way they are integrated into a whole and the management practices which make it all work to create significant energy savings. 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. See www.solarvillages.org for more detail.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
Home A
Washington DC's first neighborhood to feature LEED for Homes certified homes.
Home B
This DC row house employs the sun with both a PV net-metered system as well as a passive solar sunspace. The owners have used low-impact materials such as cork and low/no VOC and they've installed energy efficient windows/appliances/lights as well as using low-flow fixtures. Protective vegetation has been planted.
Home C
This 1920's Sears kit home was re-retrofited in 1985 and again in 1993 to incorporate several solar features including solar water heating and a 2.5 kW polycrystalline and thinfilm photovoltaics system on the upper roof and .5 kW of new solar electric peel and stick PV roofing shingles on the metal roof on the front porch as well as a solar attic vent fan. The solar charges a large 24 gel cell glassmat battery bank. A rear sunroom adds passive solar heating and Virginia's first electrochromic glass. The newest addition to the home is a direct-exchange ground-coupled (geothermal) heat pump. 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 new 2 kW hydrogen fuel cell for back up power all charging a smart, web-enabled battery bank. The office building has an efficient ductless heat pump, the newest R 7-9 windows, and incorporates CFLs and bundled LED lighting, a solar daylight tube, and a solar-driven ceiling fan. The site also boasts of four commercial solar generators and water purifiers, a new 2010 Prius with PV, and a newly retrofitted education van with high-performance PV, 1 kW fuel cell, new gel-super capacitor battery bank, powering an all-weather large video screen.
Home D
This new, modern passive-solar home, designed to meet the top or platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, is nearing completion. It has a super-tight, well-insulated envelope that's built with structural insulated panels (SIPS) and Serious Windows. It features highly efficient appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting and hybrid HVAC equipment as well as materials with recycled content. Rainwater, collected in an underground cistern, flushes the toilets and irrigates the zero-grass landscaping. This right-sized family home has about 2,400 square feet -- average for new U.S. homes -- plus a basement in-law suite. Check out the homeowner's blog at http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/06/my-green-house-is-finally-almost-done/1#uslPageReturn
Home E
House has been a donor and recipient of reused building materials. Use of compact fluorescents throughout the house as well as vigilant turning off of lights, have netted a PEPCO use far beyond what is provided by solar panels.
Home F
We have lived in our 1924 Craftsman-style home since 2006. We try our best to be a green family and a big part of that is our home itself. Since we moved in, we've had vegetable and herb gardens and have planted fruit trees in the past two years. We always recycle and reuse, compost and try to use environmentally-friendly products. Last year we also had a big raingarden installed and two big rain barrels to catch water from our roof/gutters. But the highlight of our house is the 7.13 kW solar panels we installed last year, with the help of a DDOE rebate.
Home G
This project included a performance-based deep energy renovation of an existing 1925 bungalow, and an addition with an advanced energy-efficient shell. Work included all new mechanical systems, Energy Star appliances and water saving plumbing fixtures. A key feature is a stair tower designed to provide extensive day-lighting and natural ventilation. Energy modeling during the design process and testing and inspection during construction predicts a net reduction for heating and cooling of 60% of the reconstruction rates, even after adding over 20% to the finished volume to the house.
Home H
This single family home is located in a diverse area of Silver Spring about 1 mile north of DC. The owners installed a 2.7 kW ground mounted system in a small side yard because the slate roof couldn't accommodate the array. For more details, check out the owner's website: SuburbanSolar.net.
Home I
The owners of this home installed a 3.68 kW grid-connected PV system including battery backup with financial assistance from a grant and tax credit from the State of Maryland and Montgomery County. Most rooms except for bathrooms have ceiling fans decreasing the need for air-conditioning. All appliances are Energy Star compliant. Kitchen and shower heads replaced with low-volume water devices. First floor rooms were all recently repainted using eco-friendly paint brands. Kitchen countertops and tiling also recently replaced with recycled eco-friendly materials.
Home J
The homeowners installed a solar water heating system on their 50-year old Cape Cod house. Insulating window coverings help keep the home warm in winter and cool in summer.
Home K
"EcoVillage of Loudoun County VA is a tangible symbol of the three essential elements of sustainable development: A cooperative social structure, a positive effect on the environment, and careful design. It establishes a new benchmark for community living...." Harry T. Gordon, FAIA – Burt Hill Kosar Rittleman Architects, Washington, DC. Homes are clustered to preserve more of the 90-acre subdivision. The homes feature energy-efficient designs using passive solar, active solar, geothermal heating and cooling and many Green building materials. With convenient commuter rail access, the organically managed site emphasizes a kid-friendly pedestrian infrastructure that is integrated with nature. For more information visit www.ecovillages.com.
Home L
6 kW PV solar panels. Solar water heating panels on a shed; the hot water is piped underground into the home. A timer withholds power to the electric water heater during night. 3KW wind turbine. Solar landscape lighting and solar electric fence to protect fruit trees. Edible landscaping includes blueberries, blackberries, peaches, apples, pears and walnuts. Home automation turns off lights in idle rooms and outdoors.
Home M
Sunset Hills Vineyard has built the largest solar power installation in Loudoun County, and one of the largest in the Virginia. The 35 Kilowatt system went operational in January of 2011, and is designed to supply 100% of the vineyard's electrical power throughout the year.
Sunset Hills Vineyard is located in western Loudoun County on 50 acres of rolling farmland, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. The buildings date from the 1870's; and include a large German bank barn, stone springhouse, farmhouse, stone pavilion, and other structures. Each of the structures was carefully restored by Amish craftsmen, who travelled down from Lancaster, PA, spending several years with the owners renovating and modernizing the buildings. Today, Sunset Hills Vineyard is one of Virginia's most popular, making award winning wines, while practicing responsible environmental stewardship on a historic property.
The largest building on the farm is the 8000 sq. ft. German bank barn, which was built 140 years ago. After removing all of the exterior siding, roofing and flooring, it was insulated with 4" of sprayed foam insulation (R24) on exterior walls, 6" Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) were added to insulate the roof, radiant floor heating was installed under the century old wood flooring, and the 24" thick stone walls were re-pointed. In 2011 the winery received a 35KW, grid-tied solar PV system, consisting of 154 Green Brilliance panels, and individual Enphase inverters.
The original 2 story stucco farmhouse, built in 1870, was also restored and made more efficient. Foam insulation was added to the attic and basement, and a high efficiency HVAC system was installed to supplement the wood burning stoves. The 2-story stone springhouse, originally built in 1878 was used to provide fresh drinking water and to chill food and supplies with its 54 degree water. The stone walls were re-pointed, the roof and upstairs oak floor were renovated, original wood burning stove renovated, and the spring water still flows cold and clear today!
The vineyard is open 7 days a week, and they are also happy to give tours of the vineyards and winery, in addition to serving our award winning wine!
Home N
PV, foam insulation, energy-efficient lighting, solar-powered outdoor lights, air lock entry, retractable awning, planned features, passive solar sun space, geothermal ground source HVAC
This home is a stock 6,600 sq. ft., center stairway, Virginia colonial house which has been retrofit to be more energy efficient. The owners have installed a 5.2 kW net metered PV, added attic insulation, replaced 62 ceiling can lights with energy-efficient CF light bulbs, added two airlock entries, a Corning sun porch, ceiling fans in the bedrooms and family room, energy-efficient HVAC and appliances, and closed cell foam insulation. The former owner's electric usage was over 1,800 kWh per month and the current owner's use averages less than 300kWh. The owners also have a Prius and a Camry hybrid vehicles, and rain barrels for watering their raised bed garden.
Home O
This beautiful Sterling home is a near ZERO energy home with a GreenBrilliance turnkey installed 4.05KW grid-tied PV system and a Solar hot water system.
Home P
This is a 2-Day tour house. See Saturday, House 8 listing for details.
Home Q
This contemporary, 2950 square feet, frame structure has 83% south-facing windows and skylights. A solar-powered fan distributes heat into the house in winter and exhausts heat in summer. 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 of low-e thermopane glass. Skylights and a Solatube provide daylighting, and the electric lighting is fluorescent. Clerestory windows allow natural ventilation. Other energy-savers include a timer on the water heater and low-flow shower heads.
Home R
Modern design with all engineering effort made to conserve energy including radiant barrier under roof sheating, insulated foundation, 2X6 insulated exterior walls, to make the most of the passive solar design, energy efficient doors and windows as well as all Energy Star appliances. The geothermal heating and cooling powered in part by a 4.2 kW SunTech PV system and backed up by a high-efficiency wood stove so that no fossil fuels are used. The home also features hydronic radiant heat in the floors. Low-flow shower heads and dual-flush toilets help conserve water, while an 1150 gal in-ground cistern collects rain water for irrigation. The home has an open floor plan with qualities familiar to "The Not So Big House" architectual design elements. The homeowners think this will likely be Virginia's first "Emerald" rated home. For more info, see www.speerhouse.org
Home S
This is a 2-Day tour house. See Saturday, House 29 listing for details.
Home T
Strawbale house rebuild completed in spring 2010. The south wall is insulated passive solar design. Three walls are strawbale construction with deep overhangs to protect the lime plaster from the elements. Earthen plaster interior finished with homemade clay paints and alises. Site harvested trees create primary exposed support columns. Extensive use of site harvested/milled timber used for both structural and trim features. Concrete countertops. The owners use a geothermal system for heating, cooling and hot water, with stained concrete slab for thermal mass. Wood burning stove. A 3 kW photovoltaic system is grid-tied.
Home U
This a 1500 sq.ft. ICF home with geothermal heat pump plus radiant heated floors plus 6KW solar panels
Home V
The homeowners have taken advantage of MD incentives and federal tax credits to install a 21 panel, 4.9 kW PV system on their home in a wonderful development in White Marsh MD. After a year's use, the PV panels are supplying nearly 100% of the homeowner's electrical load. With the success of this installation, they plan to contact Green Brilliance again to install more panels.
Home W
This passive solar home was built in 1991 by Twining Construction Co., Inc. The home's north facing entrance makes it look like a simple rancher, but its 2-story southern exposure reveals enough glass to heat the home with only a wood stove as backup for those sunless winter days. First floor stamped concrete floors and a large interior brick chimney help to trap the sun's heat and hold it overnight. Airtight construction to reduce heat loss to air infiltration is balanced by a whole house ventilation system to maintain indoor air quality. The open floor plan of the main floor along with its ceramic tile floors and brick chimney combine to make this passive solar home warm and comfortable on even the coldest of winter days and its ventilating skylights and protective roof overhangs combine to keep it cool during summer's heat.
Home X
The owners added a large 2 story addition onto the rear, south side, of this vintage 1850 stone farmhouse. The beautiful southern exposure overlooking Gunpowder State Park with its woodlands were perfectly suited to passive solar constructs with glass for passive solar gain in winter and deciduous trees to prevent overheating in summer. With green building in mind, the owners installed bamboo floor on the entire 1st floor and made the house as airtight as possible using gaskets and foam insulation. To maintain indoor air quality they installed a whole house heat recovery ventilation system. They kept the original oil-fired heating system but changed the duct system to a 2 zone system keeping old and new parts of the house on separate thermostats, and they supplement the solar gain with a new wood stove. The old home is comfortable, thanks to passive solar and passive solar design principles.
Home Y
This home was built in 1842 and sits in the middle of a family farm that has been in the owner's family since 1859. In 2009, after Baltimore County refused a zoning request for a wind generator the owners opted to shift focus to Photovoltaics to help meet their electricity needs. Installed in the fall of 2009 the 7,560 watt PV system (36 210-watt panels) has performed beautifully, generating over 90% of the owner's total electricity needs. Connected to the power grid and taking advantage of net metering, the owners love to watch the electric meter running backwards. They also take advantage of selling their Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC). Their system generates approximately 9 SRECs a year which they sell for about $300 each.
Home Z
The home is a 2800 sq. Ft. Victorian with 2.8 KW roof mounted solar array, providing 33% of electric power, grid tied, with battery backup. Rest of power is purchased as 100% wind power from our local utility. There is a 2 rack Thermomax solar hot water heating system, providing 80% of hot water needs for a family of 5. All appliances are Energy Star, 95% of lights use fluorescent bulbs. We have a Propane powered Chevy truck and propane powered lawn mower, tractor and tiller. A detached conditioned garage is Straw Bale load bearing construction, with Solar Radiant heat as the only heat source and a high efficiency 21 SEER air conditioner. Ceiling has bio-based spray foam and clerestory windows for ventilation. 60% of the roof is green roof. Driveway is a combination GrassTrac/GeoBlock permeable paving. There is an Incinolet toilet
Home AA
This is a 2-Day tour house. See Saturday, House 20 listing for details.
Home BB
Potomac Overlook Regional Park presents energy education programs for all ages and features many educational displays on energy and related topics (including a new exhibit called the "Energerium"). The park has working PV, solar hot water, energy efficiency and other sytems in place for public demonstration. A grid-tied 1 kW PV system located at the park's concert stage provides 15% of the park's electrical needs. The park also interprets the relationship between energy, agriculture, buildings, transportation, resource use and other aspects of life through gardens, park buildings, local wood drying facility, and more. For more information, visit http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/potomacoverlook/index.php
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Tour Guides are also available for $5.00 per household from area locations
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