Nuclear power company building homes in Idaho that will save more energy over their lifetimes than they consume
- By Linton Levy -
Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (AEHI) is constructing its first “Energy Neutral” house, in Idaho. The home is designed from the ground-up to produce more energy than it consumes. Energy Neutral, Inc. is a holding of AEHI and CEO Don Gillispie said, "It is a green house that saves Greenbacks."
The idea of using renewable energy to augment residential power has been around for years. However, Energy Neutral is using established methods of energy production – such as solar panels - and combining them with energy-saving construction practices to provide an affordable house that achieves energy neutrality. The house may draw energy from the grid as needed, such as during evening hours, but send energy back into the grid on sunny days. In all, the house is expected to be a net producer of electricity and carry a zero energy bill over its life.
Gillispie said, "Renewables produce energy inconsistently, so integrating them with a reliable baseload power source gives the best of both worlds. This is another way to help the country by lowering grid demand and consumers’ power bills not to mention reducing emissions. This house costing about the same as a conventional heated and cooled building will save its owner over $200,000 in energy bills over a fifty year life at today’s costs. When you consider the escalating cost of energy, the savings could approach $1,000,000 over the same time period effectively allowing the homeowner to buy the house including interest with his energy savings.”
The house, to be complete March 2010, is approximately 3,000 sq. feet and will market for around $100 per sq. foot. Also, it will participate in Idaho Power’s net metering program, drawing and supplying energy to and from the grid.
Energy Neutral, Inc. is able to add more energy production features in future houses, such as photovoltaic panels that resemble shingles and small wind turbines for windy areas. While Energy Neutral is showcasing its abilities with the model home, it can also apply these technologies to farms and businesses and is hoping to break into those markets as well. Gillispie said he hopes to begin a Energy Neutral subdivision next year and the model home is the first step.
“This first home will establish that an efficiently built home equipped with renewable technologies will achieve energy neutrality” said Micah Gosney, Executive Director of Energy Neutral.
The idea of using renewable energy to augment residential power has been around for years. However, Energy Neutral is using established methods of energy production – such as solar panels - and combining them with energy-saving construction practices to provide an affordable home that achieves energy neutrality. The home may draw energy from the grid as needed, such as during evening hours, but send energy back into the grid on sunny days. In all, the home is expected to be a net producer of electricity and carry a zero energy bill over its life.
Biltmore Company of Meridian was chosen to construct the home and construction started on November 3, 2009 and will be completed in the spring of 2010. The home’s address is 12963 W. Scotfield Court in Boise in the Monet Meadows subdivision, located in west Boise, near Centennial High School.
The 2,900 square-foot Craftsman/bungalow style home costs about as much as a typical home to build (around $100 a square foot), due to government and utility incentives. It will include:
• Photovoltaic panels sufficient to supply energy requirements to more than cover everyday consumption
• 2 X 6 wall construction using advanced framing techniques for energy efficiency and material conservation
• High efficiency insulation upgrades including foam insulation and blow-in blanket
• Radiant Low E roof barrier to reduce heat transfer
• Power save energy conservation controls
• Solar attic fans for heat expulsion during hot summer days
• Low E and U factor windows to conserve heat transfer
• Key placement of sun tubes for day time illumination
• Room occupancy sensors can tell if someone is in the room and shut off the lights if they aren’t
• Compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs
• High-efficiency heat pump with zoned air conditioning system
• Integrated Green Materials.
• A computerized system that monitors energy use in the house and looks for waste and potential savings.
The home will feature standard amenities such as a full basement; five bedrooms; home office; three bathrooms; covered front and rear patio; three car garage; large master suite with sitting area and spacious master bathroom; large kitchen with solid surface counter tops and large dining area; 10’ ceilings in living area; 14’ ceiling in office; 9’ ceilings for all other area; hardwood floors; expansive windows and 8’ entry and interior doors; fully landscaped front and rear yard with sod, trees, planter bed with bushes and underground sprinklers; and finished and painted garage.
The home will participate in Idaho Power’s net metering program, drawing and supplying energy to and from the grid. Energy Neutral Inc. seeks to assist homeowners and businesses to reduce their dependence on traditional power by implementing alternative renewable power sources.
Energy forecasters predict more and more people will charge their hybrid vehicles at home, making further demands on the energy grid. Gillispie said energy neutral homes will be able to soak up some of that demand, allowing people to power their cars, in part, with free energy from their homes.
Energy Neutral is able to add more energy production features in future houses, such as photovoltaic panels that resemble shingles and small wind turbines for windy areas. While Energy Neutral is showcasing its abilities with the model home, it can also apply these technologies to farms and businesses and is hoping to break into those markets as well. Gillispie said he hopes to eventually develop an Energy Neutral subdivision in Idaho and the model home is the first step.
Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (www.alternateenergyholdings.com)
Alternate Energy Holdings develops and markets innovative clean energy sources. The company is the nation's only publicly traded independent nuclear power plant developer willing to build power plants in non-nuclear states. Other projects include, Energy Neutral which removes energy demands from homes and businesses (www.energyneutralinc.com), Colorado Energy Park (nuclear and solar generation), and International Reactors, which assists developing countries with nuclear reactors for power generation, production of potable water and other suitable applications. Also, AEHI China, headquartered In Beijing, develops joint ventures to produce nuclear plant components and consults on nuclear power.
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