$2,500
75% to 99%
of hot water
75% to 99%
of space heating
$31,100
8.0%
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No fossil fuels, no operational costs, no emissions of any kind
$2,500
75% to 99%
of hot water
75% to 99%
of space heating
$31,100
8.0%
Property
- Owner:
- Kimberley Smith Quirk / Energy Emporium
- Type:
- Residential
- Address:
- 78 Main St, Enfield, NH 03748
- Size:
- 3,200 sq ft
- Energy need met:
- 75% to 99% of hot water
- 75% to 99% of space heating
- Designations:
- Deep energy retrofit
- Zero net energy
- Event Participation:
- NESEA Green Buildings Open House 2012 Host
- NESEA Green Buildings Open House 2013 Host
Technology
- Type:
- Solar Space Heating
- Installed:
- January 2011
- Size of System:
- 4 collectors
- Purposes:
- To heat hot water
- For space heating
Financial Details
- Gross Cost of System:
- $45,000
- Value of Rebates:
- $1,900
- Value of Tax Credits:
- $12,000
- Net Cost of System:
- $31,100
- Annual Savings:
- $2,500
- Own or Lease:
- Cash Purchase
Professionals & Suppliers
- Products:
- SunReports
- Financing:
- Mascoma Savings Bank
- Builders:
- Don Roberts
- Energy Auditors:
- Murphy Cell-Tech
What You Need to Know
Description:
Seasonal storage tank -- Solar thermal collectors heat the super-insulated storage tank (4000 gal of water) all summer; the heat from the tank and the solar thermal collectors provides heat and hot water for the winter. We started with a super-insulated building.
Other Benefits:
No combustion at all in this house -- no oil, no gas, no wood. So there are no emissions, no carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. Solar PV was added to offset all the electrical use as well.
Maintenance Requirements:
The system has been up and running for just over a year, so maintenance has not been an issue yet. I expect to have to change pumps and the storage system is a custom project that needs tweaking.
Efficiency or Sustainability Improvements:
It is very important in NH to reduce the heating requirement as the first step towards using the sun for home heating. Our walls are R40, ceilings are R80 and the basement is R26. The house envelope is well sealed.
My Motivation:
My goals were to see if I could get to zero net-energy when starting from a very old (already gutted) building. We preserved the bones, the floorings, the slate roof and stone foundation. I didn't want ANY dependence on fossil fuels.
Advice:
There are lots of small steps that everyone can take towards fossil fuel independence -- starting with the house they are in, the surrounding resources, and their short or long range goals. As a long term investment, solar energy provides a great return.
Open House Info:
Please come and visit between 10am and 4pm. We have a tour set up with pictures from 1858 to today -- detailed information on the renovation, the seasonal storage, solar thermal and solar PV systems. Datalogging also on display. 78 Main St, Enfield, NH 03748 www.energyemp.com
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