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More Net Zero Home Success Stories

By Solar energy | October 27, 2008

Success stories from Sustainable Future customers

I love seeing how others successfully incorporate solar energy as well as other renewable practices into their homes and lives.

See how this couple from Knoxville, Tennessee, made energy efficient changes to their home .

This East Knoxville home is an excellent example of the energy-efficient changes that can be made to an older home. It was originally constructed in the 1940s, and encompasses approximately 1900 square feet. All appliances in the home are electric, with the exception of the stove and oven, which use natural gas.

Solar Hot Water

evacuated tube

The environmentally-conscious homeowners have made many changes to the house to make it more efficient. These changes have included:
• installing low-e film on west-facing windows to reduce heat loss,
• using Energy Star appliances (dishwasher, clothes washer, dryer),
• testing ductwork and house tightness during a HERS evaluation,
• adding insulation during renovation of a bathroom and kitchen,
• using a plug meter to identify inefficient appliances,
• using a whole house meter to monitor energy performance, and
• installing a solar hot water system.

The drainback-type solar hot water system was installed in August 2007. Major components include an 80-gallon solar storage tank with an electrical backup, and a set of evacuated tubes on the roof to collect heat from the sun. Because the home is surrounded by trees, a few branches were selectively pruned to provide more sun for the solar collectors.

Monthly Electric Use in Kilowatt Hours

Month 2006 2007 %Change Comments
Jan 1485 1294 13% reduction
Feb 1555 1700 9% increase
Mar 1127 839 26% reduction
Apr 657 740 13% increase
May 1057 970 8% reduction
Jun 1139 765 33% reduction June 2007- whole house TED meter installed
Jul 1551 700 55% reduction
Aug 1094 1115 2% increase August 2007 – solar hot water system installed, bath renovation
Sep 729 542 26% reduction
Oct 677
Nov 2014
Dec 1408

Information provided by Sustainable Future, LLC.
For most current information refer to http://SustainableFuture.biz.

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Topics: home energy bills, Home Energy Use, home solar energy, Reducing energy use, Renewable Energy, solar water heater | No Comments »

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