Posted By JULIE GRECO , STANDARD STAFF
Posted Saturday, April 10, 2010.
The latest construction on Jordan's prestigious Leyenhorst Court, dotted with million-dollar homes, may blend with its surroundings but, from an environmental perspective, it's like no other in the region.
A stroll to the back of the 2,700-square-foot house reveals 57 solar panels installed on the roof, collecting energy from the sun.
Designed and commissioned by Informed Energy Solutions, a Vineland-based company that specializes in solar and eco home solutions, the house is the first net-zero home to be built in Niagara -- meaning that it uses as much energy as it produces.
Gary Vida, of IES sales and marketing, said the project was launched about a year ago with his partners at the company, and construction began last October.
"We shared a common interest in sustainable energy," he said. "All of these technologies are available, we just had to fit them in one house."
According to Lewis Nickerson, IES spokesman, the environmental benefits of solar energy are significant.
"This solar array will prevent 10 tonnes of coal-generated carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to planting 1,090 trees," he said.
Not only that, but the 10 kw photovoltaic arrays -- the maximum allowed under the government's MicroFIT program -- will produce energy that is sold back to the grid. It is expected to generate about $10,000 in annual income for the homeowners.
This is expected to generate about $200,000 in a 20-year contract with the government, Nickerson said.
From the basement to the rooftop, the house has been equipped with numerous energy-saving features. The basement and first storey were built with insulated concrete forms and concrete walls to prevent heat loss, while the upper floor was insulated with rigid Styrofoam. Triple pane windows filled with Krypton were installed for better insulation.
While radiant in-floor heating was used in the basement, geothermal forced air will heat the rest of the house.
A heat recovery ventilation system was also implemented, allowing the house to maintain a high indoor air quality without the high energy costs.
Drain water heat recovery takes thermal energy out of water that goes down the drain and puts it into the hot water tank; while a solar heating system on the roof also produces hot water.
"Eighty-five per cent of domestic hot water will be produced at no cost," Vida said, noting that heating water marks one of the highest energy uses in a home.
While this house is listed at $920,000, the price is more reflective of the neighbourhood than of the cost of a net-zero home, according to Vida.
"You can build a net-zero home at more of a medium price range," he said.
With this project under its belt, the company plans to build more net-zero homes on a smaller scale.
For more information about the net-zero home project visit www.informedenergysolutions.com
Article ID# 2529168
