Shopping List for the Eco-Home
Although building an environmental house demands a lot of industry research, it doesn’t require any super science. “All this information is out there,” said John Picard. “I found that people involved in the environmental industries are dying to help--they really want to get the word out.”
Jeanne Byrne, senior researcher with the Washington, D.C.-based Safe Energy Communications Council, agrees. “This (Picard) house is great because it shows what can be done,” she says. “The products he has incorporated are available to anyone.”
By shopping for the best energy savers, she says, Picard came up with a mix--”from good insulation that’s been available for a long time to the photovoltaics which have made amazing breakthroughs in recent years.”
Many of the energy-savers are more expensive initially, she notes, but save money in the long run on utility bills.
Major features of Picard’s house and his approximate cost including installation:
1--Recycled heavy duty steel frame, with earthquake seismic rating of 10. Rust-resistant steel stud made from shredded recycled steel. Pre-punched for plumbing and electrical conduit. Finished wall thickness including dry wall and exterior metal clad is 10 inches. $25,000.
2--Super insulated exterior walls and roof. Walls consist of R-21.5 bat insulation, which means a 50% energy savings. $4,500.
3--Solar power system provides non-polluting electricity. Twenty-one photovoltaic panels on rooftop electronic array which, by tracking the sun all day, provides 40% more power than a fixed mounting. Converts sunlight to direct electric current which is fed to batteries for storage, then converted to alternating current, and fed into house’s wiring system. Takes care of most of the house’s electrical needs, which is a near-100% energy saving, though there is a conventional electricity backup. $13,800.
4--Spaceguard Air Purification System. Non-electronic 1-micron particle filter capable of purifying return air and fresh air entering heating and air conditioning system, requires filter replacement annually. $1,000.
5--Lennox gas heating and air conditioning unit, controlled by Unity computer, saves approximately 8% in energy. $10,000.
6--Three-stage water purification system. Multiple stage system consisting of a fiber 5 micron filter canister, changed monthly; an activated charcoal filter canister, replaced every 4 years; an electro-chemical water stabilizer unit requiring weekly cleaning of filter bar. $1,500.
7--Firestone rubber roof membrane, recycled from petroleum waste, reflects ultraviolet and infrared sunlight, aiding insulation and reducing cooling loss. $9,000.
Full-use roof, designed to hold solar power generating array, roof garden and storage. This roof system is capable of a 150 lb. per sq. ft. live load, approximately three times more than conventional roof.
8--Thermal windows and glass door panels, all dual glazed. $4,600
9--Tyvek building wrap insulation, a DuPont product which is super protective, yet allows building to breathe. $1,200
10--Energy efficient and water efficient appliances: $10,000
--Washer and dryer are Miele brand model 770. Washer has energy efficient program settings, uses approximately 30%-40% less water than conventional machines, needs no bleach. Super high speed spin cycle reduces drying time. The dryer extracts and stores water which is retained in a 32-gallon recycled plastic drum used for plant watering.
--Asea model dishwasher incorporates same multi-programming for energy efficiency including water temperature settings, a non-electrical drying mode and short cycles for light loads.
--Sunfrost large capacity refrigerator-freezer. Designed with top-mounted compressors, cuts energy use up to 80%.
11--Aquastar tankless on-demand energy efficient hot water system. Gas-fired heater which produces 3.25 gallons per minute of hot water, has three temperature settings and is easily installed. (Drawback is the water wasted while heater first cycles on. This can be reduced to acceptable levels if incorporated with a solar water heating system.) $600.
12--Shower water plumbing recovery system (not gray water but recovers cold water at beginning of shower while heater starts). Diverted to a drain line and stored for plant watering. $150.
13--Kitchen cabinets: clear pine plywood, no toxic varnishes or finishes. $9,000.
14--Compact fluorescent bulbs throughout save 75% energy. $850.
15--Drip irrigation system for all planter areas in landscape design, with computer controlled ground water sensor to eliminate unneeded watering. Xeriscape drought tolerant plantings and hybrid dwarf grass (Bonsai) lawn which grows slowly, requires less water, less mowing. $1,700.
16--”Smart House” Unity Home Management Computer System. Runs the house, including full interior and exterior security interfacing with complete control of lighting and appliances, heating and air conditioning, automatic open and close of draperies for temperature control, weather station information controls, room by room temperature sensing, outside temperature sensing. Key to its success is that six main control features interface with each other: if someone walks into a room, the computer recognizes and adjusts temperature slightly. $10,000.
