SACE has created super efficient "zero energy" home plans in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Community and Economic Development, ORNL, and Elizabeth Eason Architecture. The designs feature photovoltaic systems, solar hot water heating, and more.
They are having a public workshop on the plans for builders, developers and the general public this Saturday, June 30, 2007 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the Lawson McGhee Library Meeting Room at 500 W. Church Avenue in downtown Knoxville.
If you can't make it to the workshop, here's their Energy Guide with details on the technologies used in the home designs (PDF format).
Read the full press release for more details after the jump...
Media Release from Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
June 11, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOCAL ZERO ENERGY READY HOME PLANS RELEASED
Public Workshop Scheduled for Saturday, June 30, 2007
Knoxville -- Have you ever dreamed of running your electric meter backwards?
Whether you are a builder or potential buyer, new home plans are available from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy that will allow you to produce clean renewable energy and have energy costs of under a $1 a day.
These homes are capable of achieving net zero energy use annually with energy produced on site meeting or exceeding energy consumed. "Homeowners who use their energy wisely could end up receiving a check back from KUB rather than sending one in," Tim Dimick, zero energy housing coordinator stated.
As the link between air quality, global warming and electricity from coal power plants is better understood, more people are becoming interested in building and purchasing homes that reduce their dependence on dirty forms of energy. The home designs created by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in partnership with the State of Tennessee¹s Department of Community and Economic Development, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Elizabeth Eason Architecture feature a high efficiency heat pump, solar hot water heating, photovoltaic (PV) electrical system with utility interconnection, controlled fresh air ventilation, high performance windows, superior insulation and environmentally friendly finishes.
The home designs are available in either a 1,320 or 2,640 square-foot design. The plans have been field tested by ORNL/Building America and will be eligible for the solar energy systems and homebuilders federal tax credits. One-year of energy use monitoring, Energy Star certification and training on home energy reduction strategies will be included with the plans.
Builders, developers and the general public can learn more about these innovative designs at an informational workshop scheduled for Saturday, June 30, 2007 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the Lawson McGhee Library Meeting Room at 500 W. Church Avenue in downtown Knoxville.
"Zero energy home technology is available today for anyone concerned about the environment or looking to save money on their utility bills" Dimick added.
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Tim Dimick, zero energy housing coordinator, at 423-587-9546 or e-mail tim@cleanenergy.org. For more information about energy efficient construction and technologies utilized in these homes see:
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that create global warming solutions and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. For more information, go to:
Rumor has it that Knox County is going forward with a first: A conservation subdivision. I am not talking about some passive solar heating and a compost pile or two. The developer is going for the whole enchilada. That's about all the info I can give out, but it is going to be a great project that does it all: Green, community building and will preserve rural landscapes.
True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler
Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Fri, 2007/06/29 - 6:42am.
Until we get to the point where photovoltaics are economically viable, I am bothered by the idea of a ZEH. I don't mind a few being built as exhibits in a science fair sort of way but they take a lot of resources. I'd rather see a larger # of houses built with a goal of 60-80% energy reduction. Simple things like passive solar and solar water heating for example. Florescent bulbs and that radical invention: the clothesline! Something that is within the means of a typical new home buyer, without subsidy.
I attended a lunchen this spring with a lecture about a ZEH. It was a giant SNAFU. Everything that could go wrong, did. The home had giant south facing windows with NO OVERHANG. In the Arizona desert. Half of the PV panels weren't hooked up when installed. And not a clothesline in sight.
An analogy would be having a demonstration garden that provided 100% of one's nutritional needs. It would likely be intimidating. But a garden that provided 50% might seem very do-able.
___________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
Submitted by Factchecker on Fri, 2007/06/29 - 7:30am.
How do you get people to use a clothesline when cooking a real meal is too much hassle for most? "It's hard work," as somebody might say. Changing people's habits is a huge battle.
I have similar (though small) concerns about the over push to CFLs. They're great for what they are and we use them throughout, but when you shop for lighting almost all room lighting is specialized: kitchen, bath, dining, etc. They don't have standard bulb sockets. It's halogen or bastard sockets. Also, I think LED lighting in a very few years will make CFLs look like the Edison incandescent. I've been toying with a few night light type things I've cobbled together with LEDs, and they use less than 0.1 watt per LED. They're too bright to stare at and are dimmable.
But make no mistake, if you've got non-dimmable sockets, there's no reason not to use CFLs in them now.
How do you get people to use a clothesline when cooking a real meal is too much hassle for most?
Good one. Years ago, my mom said she used to use the clothesline to dry laundry. In Oklahoma, it was great. The laundry would be dry on one end as you finished putting it out on the other end. Then she moved to Tennesseee. She said the laundry could be out all day and still be damp (humidity). She purchase a dryer.
Also, I think LED lighting in a very few years will make CFLs look like the Edison incandescent.
Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Fri, 2007/06/29 - 9:05am.
Yes, I realize I'm lucky to not be tied to a 8-5 job with a long commute so I have time to do a load of clothes in the morning and put them out to dry. I haven't even owned a dryer in 2 years and it works for me. Even in TN. Smaller items go on a drying rack inside the house - I don't want the neighbors staring at my skivvies.
All of my bulbs can go CF. Thats the advantage of living in a lo-tech home.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
Submitted by redmondkr on Fri, 2007/06/29 - 10:05am.
To hear my mother tell it, her clothesline was the main reason she wanted us to move to Karns in 1948. We lived on Vermont Avenue in Lonsdale, and soot from the old Coster Shops soiled the clothes on the line most of the time. I remember her rewashing them a few times at the new place, too, due to bird poop. The scent of line-dried clothes was great, though.
Laundry for four consumed most of a Monday. I found some of those God awful jeans stretchers in the basement a couple of years ago. If she shoved those things down into the legs of wet jeans before hanging them on the line she didn't have to iron them. I also have her homemade clothespin bag and a few old-fashioned pins. She retired all that when she got her first dryer but would never ever throw anything away.
Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Sat, 2007/06/30 - 7:12am.
Maybe it's the water or the view from the ironing board. My theory is your father built such a solid, well built house that would appeal to perfectionists.
I remember those pants stretchers, they were used for Dad's work slacks. I can't imagine using them for jeans.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
Submitted by sugarfatpie on Thu, 2009/03/05 - 11:40pm.
I would like to see a comparison of the embodied energy in the materials used to create these "zero energy homes" with the energy that they will save over their lifetime.
Anyone seen this?
-Sugarfatpie (AKA Alex Pulsipher)
This is great. I've been wondering when Knoxburg is going to finally join the 21st century with green building, LEED, energy star, etc.
Such a home doesn't have to resemble a hippie hut any more than a front loading washer resembles a washboard.
Rumor has it that Knox County is going forward with a first: A conservation subdivision. I am not talking about some passive solar heating and a compost pile or two. The developer is going for the whole enchilada. That's about all the info I can give out, but it is going to be a great project that does it all: Green, community building and will preserve rural landscapes.
True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler
Until we get to the point where photovoltaics are economically viable, I am bothered by the idea of a ZEH. I don't mind a few being built as exhibits in a science fair sort of way but they take a lot of resources. I'd rather see a larger # of houses built with a goal of 60-80% energy reduction. Simple things like passive solar and solar water heating for example. Florescent bulbs and that radical invention: the clothesline! Something that is within the means of a typical new home buyer, without subsidy.
I attended a lunchen this spring with a lecture about a ZEH. It was a giant SNAFU. Everything that could go wrong, did. The home had giant south facing windows with NO OVERHANG. In the Arizona desert. Half of the PV panels weren't hooked up when installed. And not a clothesline in sight.
An analogy would be having a demonstration garden that provided 100% of one's nutritional needs. It would likely be intimidating. But a garden that provided 50% might seem very do-able.
___________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
How do you get people to use a clothesline when cooking a real meal is too much hassle for most? "It's hard work," as somebody might say. Changing people's habits is a huge battle.
I have similar (though small) concerns about the over push to CFLs. They're great for what they are and we use them throughout, but when you shop for lighting almost all room lighting is specialized: kitchen, bath, dining, etc. They don't have standard bulb sockets. It's halogen or bastard sockets. Also, I think LED lighting in a very few years will make CFLs look like the Edison incandescent. I've been toying with a few night light type things I've cobbled together with LEDs, and they use less than 0.1 watt per LED. They're too bright to stare at and are dimmable.
But make no mistake, if you've got non-dimmable sockets, there's no reason not to use CFLs in them now.
How do you get people to use a clothesline when cooking a real meal is too much hassle for most?
Good one. Years ago, my mom said she used to use the clothesline to dry laundry. In Oklahoma, it was great. The laundry would be dry on one end as you finished putting it out on the other end. Then she moved to Tennesseee. She said the laundry could be out all day and still be damp (humidity). She purchase a dryer.
Also, I think LED lighting in a very few years will make CFLs look like the Edison incandescent.
I hope so. Not a fan of CFLs.
I spent some time looking into LEDs. It's not quite ready for prime time, but it is definitely the right direction and needs some serious R&D.
Yes, I realize I'm lucky to not be tied to a 8-5 job with a long commute so I have time to do a load of clothes in the morning and put them out to dry. I haven't even owned a dryer in 2 years and it works for me. Even in TN. Smaller items go on a drying rack inside the house - I don't want the neighbors staring at my skivvies.
All of my bulbs can go CF. Thats the advantage of living in a lo-tech home.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
To hear my mother tell it, her clothesline was the main reason she wanted us to move to Karns in 1948. We lived on Vermont Avenue in Lonsdale, and soot from the old Coster Shops soiled the clothes on the line most of the time. I remember her rewashing them a few times at the new place, too, due to bird poop. The scent of line-dried clothes was great, though.
Laundry for four consumed most of a Monday. I found some of those God awful jeans stretchers in the basement a couple of years ago. If she shoved those things down into the legs of wet jeans before hanging them on the line she didn't have to iron them. I also have her homemade clothespin bag and a few old-fashioned pins. She retired all that when she got her first dryer but would never ever throw anything away.
Come See Us at
The Hill Online
Ironing blue Jeans? What is this ironing you speak of?
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
Mom ironed everything back then and the guy I sold her old house to does as well even with today's fabrics. It must be something in the water.
Come See Us at
The Hill Online
Maybe it's the water or the view from the ironing board. My theory is your father built such a solid, well built house that would appeal to perfectionists.
I remember those pants stretchers, they were used for Dad's work slacks. I can't imagine using them for jeans.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
I am looking to build a ZEH in northeastern TN and am looking for current information. Are there any update(s) on this?
Go here for a great site that should have just what you are looking for. David Bolt is the founder and really believes in ZEH.
Link...
I would like to see a comparison of the embodied energy in the materials used to create these "zero energy homes" with the energy that they will save over their lifetime.
Anyone seen this?
-Sugarfatpie (AKA Alex Pulsipher)
"X-Rays are a hoax."-Lord Kelvin
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