Denis and I had hoped to build using solar technology. We planned on trying for basic passive solar design (i.e. lots of east/south windows, skylights and solatubes for natural lighting, long eaves over windows, 2×6 framing, foam insulation and low-e windows, to name a few). That’s an easy thing to do. We had also hoped to do active solar building and have always discussed employing a grid-tied photovoltaic roof system for harvesting electricity. We also wanted radiant heat flooring, instant water heater, etc. It was going to be expensive, but with rebates and tax incentives we figured it would be doable, and HEY! We’ll have no utility bills!
Not so. Apparently SC doesn’t allow net-metering, which is the main plus for PV solar power. Net-metering is the ability to have your meter communicate with your local energy company. If your house generates a surplus of power needed to run your house, then the energy company will hold it, similar to having a savings account. Then in months that your house does NOT generate 100% of it’s electric you just use your savings account to draw your own energy back. In states that don’t allow net-metering, if you generate more, you lose it. If you generate less, you pay the utility company for what you use. SC also doesn’t offer any rebate incentives, so the ONLY rebate we’d get is the Federal one for $2000.
We’ll still do the passive design stuff, as well as radiant heat flooring in the northfacing portion of the house. I may also give in and consider a grain stove in the house (I originally didn’t want ANY fireplace). There are a number of companies out there that make grain stoves that can heat a 3,500 sq ft house by burning wheat, rye and/or corn. Those fuels are cheaper than wood and burn longer, as well as being more easily grown and harvested. Toss in a few ceiling fans throughout the house and an open floorplan with well placed windows and you have a house that is able to keep cool in summer and stay warm in winter.
Mildly disappointing, but that’s okay – it’ll save us some money for something else in the house.
Those grain stoves are very cool. If I were to build a house, that’s what I would have.
I’m learning lots of things about houses here! We’re contemplating buying or building (leaning more towards building after reading your posts :grin:) in the Seattle area…I suppose there, the solar bank would run dry most of the time, but I like the idea of a grain stove!
Gwynne, active solar would be harder in Seattle, but not impossible. You can still do some stuff – like daylighting, radiant heat flooring, the grain stove and window/eave placement. Geothermal HVAC would still work too.
I wonder if we could run the light wall off of solar power? 😉
I haven’t heard of anyone using the solar energy features around here although I would love to have that!! Maybe because the incentives are not good enough.
I’m afraid also I know of no one that doesn’t have air conditioning. You might have yourself a whole house oven if you try to cool down with only ceiling fans. lol My grandmother in PA used to only have a window unit and it worked fine because it cools down up there at night but down here it is sweltering even at 2am in the summer.
Amy, we’re definitely having Central AC put in – I just didn’t mention it because I figured it would be obvious that we’re having that. I love my AC. *lol* I’m just hoping to have a well-designed home so that I don’t have to run it AS MUCH. =)
Whew, good to hear. 🙂
Oh, yes, A/C for a southern summer is MOST important!
Jaynee, we put in a pellet stove insert in our masonry fireplace a couple of years ago and it is AWESOME! I don’t know that ours would heat as large a house as you’re planning, but it does nicely with our 2200 square feet. We love it! Is a “grain” stove the same thing? Ours uses pellets that are primarily compressed sawdust from waste, they kind of look like rabbit food.
Bev, yes, a pellet stove is very similar to a grain stove. However, a grain stove actually burns wheat, corn and/or rye – no wood is burned in a grain stove. Corn is cheaper and faster to make more of, thus the appeal. I saw a grain stove online that can push out enough BTUs to heat a 3500 sq ft house, so I’m hoping to look into that more when we begin building.