GEO SOLAR HOME

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GEO SOLAR HOME

• Fossil fuels replaced by energy
• from Earth and Sun
• BIRA September 11 2006

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NW corridor of Denver metro area
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Infill site in Arvada, Colorado
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Mixed Use New Urbanism planned community
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Southern Orientation
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Energy Model
Model 1,500sf Semi-detached Townhouse
Energy Model Floor Plans
Energy Model Elevations
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Airtight, Super-insulated Shell
Blown in insulation
Airtight windows
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Raised heel trusses
Quick Specs basement R 25, ceiling R 50, walls R
25, ACH 0.15
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Passive Solar Design
Solar Access
Innovative Urban Design
GENERATION
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Thermal Mass
Model 1,500sf Semi-detached Townhouse
TILE FLOORS
THERMAL MASS
BRICK WALL
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Mobile Insulation
Double Honey Comb
Motorized
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Earth Tube Aspired Energy Recovery Ventilation
System
Westflex 250 WAC CF
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Geothermal Exchange

• Geothermal pre-heat pre-cooling for incoming
  fresh air consists of 260 feet of 6 PVC pipe
  buried between 6 8 feet below ground
• With this system, the ERV is able to
• run continuously even if exterior temperatures
  are below 28º F
• achieve maximum heat recovery of 95

This winter, when exterior temperatures were 4º
F, incoming fresh air to the ERV was measured at
38º F. And in summer, 95º turns into 60º, _at_ 200
cfm.
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Community Ground Source Heat Pump for Domestic
Hot Water
240,000 Btus

• Horizontal Loop Field
• Heat Pumps 4 x 10 tons
• Tanks, Pumps, Controls
• Insulated Pipe to Homes

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Passivehaus
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Energy Efficiency Targets
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Actual Performance, November 2005 July 2006

• Warm and toasty all winter, cool this summer
• December dinner party One guest heard it was a
  solar house came prepared long underwear
  and flannel shirt...but with nighttime outdoor
  temp at 15 after a sunny day, and with radiant
  underfloor heat off, at the dining room table it
  was 73offered ice packs and wet towels to help
  him out
• February cold snap After last sun midday
  Tuesday, house held heat until midday Thursday
  before underfloor heat engaged. Minus 18, home
  stayed 68-70 and comfortable.
• 3 a.m. and minus 7, bedrooms would stabilize at
  64 with radiant heat off due to occupants
  generating 400 BtU/hr.