Black River Falls, WI (12/3/2008)
Through its GreenMax Home program, Wisconsin Public Power Inc.'s (WPPI) first net zero energy home (NZEH) is nearing completion in Black River Falls, Wis.
Homeowners Tom and Verona Chambers' designed and are constructing what is anticipated to be the first practical production of a NZEH in the region that can be reasonably and affordably replicated in a cold climate. Upon completion of the home, the Chambers will inhabit the residence and monitor behavior to verify net zero energy status - - another aspect that makes this project unique.
Early this year, the Chambers worked to fine-tune their home design to control energy use and costs, ultimately advancing the status of their home from highly efficient to net zero. In July, the Chambers broke ground and expect settle in to their new residence at the end of January 2009.
The GreenMax Home combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with a commercially available renewable solar electric system. To date, the following key design features have been completed:
- One of the largest contributors to the home's net zero status is the solar photovoltaic (PV) system, a 5.76 kilowatt system mounted on dual axis trackers which produce 9,500 kilowatt hours annually. The Chambers' PV system is connected to the local utility's electric distribution system, enabling the Chambers to send power to the grid when their PV system is producing more than the home uses, and allowing them to purchase power from the utility when they need more electricity.
- External rigid insulation is in place, improving the wall insulation by R5 and creating a continuous thermal break for 2x8 wall studs. When the wall cavity insulation is in place the walls will have a R33 value.
- Ground loops for the Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP). The ground loops will be coupled to a state-of-the-art GSHP that will provide space heating and a majority of the domestic hot water use for the home.
- Mechanical rough-in of plumbing, heating, ventilation and electrical runs.
- Air sealing through the guidance of Wisconsin ENERGY STARŪ Home Consultants Eric Skinner and Joe Nagan.
- The rim joists have been air sealed and insulated with spray foam. This was done on the recommendation of the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home Consultants. Through testing of existing homes and modeling this was an area that had been identified as needing extra attention in order to meet the NZEH goal.
In the next month, interior finishing of the home will include:
- Low water fixtures.
- Structural plumbing system, a design that ensures hot water is available at any faucet in the home before a cup of water is wasted.
- Installation of a super insulated 80 gallon hot water tank, maximizing the opportunity to capture waste heat created by the GSHP.
- Installation of an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) which takes advantage of the duct work already installed for the heating system and advantage of the electrically efficient circulator fan located in the GSHP. The ERV will provide fresh air for the occupants while recovering the moisture and heat from exhausted air.
- Installation of an induction range. This range will provide the responsive cooking of gas through the utilization of electricity, which can be generated from renewable resources.
Upon completion of the house, WPPI will provide additional information about the design, construction and operation of the GreenMax Home. Visit www.greenmaxhome.com for more information.
Contact:
Patty Schenker
tel: (608) 834-4598
email: pschenker@wppienergy.org
