Solar Savings: Using Thermal Systems for Efficiency and Affordability

Through the Department of Energy’s Building America program, IBACOS (Integrated Building and Construction Solutions) is tackling energy conservation one home at a time. Current research includes system based approaches to achieving 50% to 60% whole house energy savings in the mixed humid climate zone.

Landmark Renovations and Building Company is currently constructing a pilot home to meet these goals. Located in North Carolina, Landmark has been building energy efficient houses in the mixed humid climate for over 25 years. The site of the pilot home is in their Edwards Pond subdivision, just west of Chapel Hill.

The 2,731 square foot home will be the second of several Edwards Pond’s homes to incorporate energy efficient construction, passive solar design, roof-mounted solar hot water collectors, and a roof-mounted photovoltaic system with integrated battery backup. Combined with the best practices recommended by IBACOS, these features will help the pilot home achieve a minimum of 50% energy savings when compared to the Building America Benchmark (December 29,2004 version). In addition, they will qualify the Edwards Pond’s homes for the NC GreenPower energy program. North Carolina created this program in order to increase the number of renewable energy producers in the state, including private residences with a photovoltaic system.

Landmark will achieve the 50% energy savings goal by employing a variety of best practices and advanced energy saving technologies in the home. It will improve thermal performance through use of an unvented, conditioned crawl space with (R10) rigid insulation. The exterior walls will include (R-3) foam sheathing while the interior walls and the roof rafter cavities will utilize fiber glass batt insulation with R-19 and R-30 thermal performance values, respectively. A continuous interior air barrier (drywall) aided by polyicynene spray will create an airtight building enclosure. Moreover, the entire air distribution system will be fully ducted, sealed, and located within conditioned space. The home will also include high performance windows with improved flashing practices and energy efficient lighting and appliances. Two flat plate collector panels for a closed loop solar thermal system and the 1.92 kW photovoltaic sytem with 2,790 kWh estimated annual production round out the home’s energy efficient features.

Construction on the Edwards Pond pilot home began in June of 2005 and will be finished early in 2006. Qualifying for the NC GreenPower program will be a welcome bonus to home’s energy savings. Since the program offers a special credit for the electricity generated, the Edwards Pond pilot home will not only be more efficient, it will be more affordable as well.

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