Off the grid

[agentl074]

VERY interesting to see the floorplans available, and I was looking for one with a basement option. The largest one does have basement option.
And, this builder is in Decatur, here in IN.
Tempting!

Note, however, lack of garage. Would have to have one of those!

In Chicago at their Museum of Sci & Industry, they have an incredible, similar-concept house built on museum grounds there. We paid for the tour, and it was very well built, very solid (believe me, I tested that!). We were very impressed with the whole thing, and also a bit disappointed that it was not a known option when we built new house in 2004-2006. We probably would have done that had we known someone actually was building that type of house. Of course, the traditional builder we had (even though custom) balked even at the idea of insulated poured concrete foundations. No one seemed to be open to anything even close to this concept... we would have had to be our own general contractors, and that would have been impossible.

See the Smart Home at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry

They can put a lot of options on the house. Basically, if you want it - they can do it. The solar village houses are not designed via All American Homes, so they have to pay royalties for that design - which is why it's actually cheaper just to get the solar package as an option on an original design.

 

[agentl074]

Provided that your town/city does NOT have a local ordnance regarding "panels" on the roof of your house. I was looking into the small windmills to power the heater when I bumped into the local ordinance on how far "up" you ca have stuff.

Ya that's true. Localities can pretty much do whatever they want - which is why if you live in a town - go to the meetings. They have code enforcement clear the building plans before they actually install - part of the building permit - so I really wouldn't worry about it.

 

[jeremy]

First Tag me for more info.

Second This is a very interesting time we are living in. I think between Solar and Wind Power it is very feasible to step off the grids completely or nearly so at least. I have been doing quite a bit of searching in to the wind generators. I think I will stay connected to the grid even if I can reach total independence. It is always nice to have a plan B option.

 

[agentl074]

First Tag me for more info.

Second This is a very interesting time we are living in. I think between Solar and Wind Power it is very feasible to step off the grids completely or nearly so at least. I have been doing quite a bit of searching in to the wind generators. I think I will stay connected to the grid even if I can reach total independence. It is always nice to have a plan B option.

New Home Builders - Custom Homes - Modular Construction by All American Homes

---All American Homes Solar Incentives Information---

Ya know, It might not be a bad idea to have both solar and wind ... just be pricey

 

[jeremy]

I have also been looking into a geothermal system for heating the house. My Uncle installed one a couple of years ago and loves it. I would like to mod it instead of using a forced air system to heat the house to a radiant system though the floor of the house. I lived in a house in Germany that had a heated floor. Unless you have lived in one it is hard to explain the bliss of that kind of heating.

 

[agentl074]

I have also been looking into a geothermal system for heating the house. My Uncle installed one a couple of years ago and loves it. I would like to mod it instead of using a forced air system to heat the house to a radiant system though the floor of the house. I lived in a house in Germany that had a heated floor. Unless you have lived in one it is hard to explain the bliss of that kind of heating.

That's one option that they can do with the solar package. Yeah they are nice! My Dad said that they put those radiant heated floors in the house that they showed in Chicago - pretty cool.

I am going to look into wind power as well; I know they have 10Kw units but I don't know how much they actually make in Indiana - this aint North Dakota or Alaska lol.

 

[agentl074]

I wonder how much power the wind generators would make here. Maybe solar is better in Indiana. I know if I lived in the plains States that wind would be better.

 

[IndyGunworks]

hopefully in 5 years when i am ready to sell and build... the technology and cost will be twice what is on the market now... but its nice to see a local doing this stuff... ill look them up when my time comes.

 

[El Cazador]

5-10kW Wind generators need 5-8 meters per second steady wind to produce electricity. Indiana barely meets that requirement in some areas of the state (NW corner), and seldom in the rest. You also need the generator to be at least 50 ft up to catch a steady breeze. Higher is better.

Solar can be added to almost any house, even condos. And the new thin-film polymer panels do operate even on cloudy days, just at a reduced output. They weigh a whole lot less too, so more can be mounted on a roof without adding support. I've built two systems so far, and it's not that hard.

 

[agentl074]

Solar can be added to almost any house, even condos. And the new thin-film polymer panels do operate even on cloudy days, just at a reduced output. They weigh a whole lot less too, so more can be mounted on a roof without adding support. I've built two systems so far, and it's not that hard.

Exactly! Right on

 

[El Cazador]

I want to warn everyone that this 'living off the grid" (or just partially) isn't cheap, or for the faint of heart. It requires a different mindset to do this. It costs a fortune just for the materials, then there's the fact it won't produce like we've all come to expect (at least 98.9% of us) when you walk in and flip a switch. A $50,000 solar system handles about 5000 watts TOTAL. The electric hair dryer in your bathroom takes 1500-1800 watts alone. That's better than one-fourth your entire output for the house. That 3 ton AC condenser sitting out back takes 240v x 21a= 5040 watts RUNNING. Multiply that times 125% to get it to start! That doesn't include the furnace blower having to run as well. Are you ready to replace your AC condenser with a new, super-efficient one that will work inside your power limitations?

You'd have to get used to budgeting your electricity use, just like money. You could very easily run out of electricity for a while, just like money, if you're not paying attention. What won't you mind doing without of, or doing with less of, even just occasionally?

EXAMPLE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR INSTALLATION

Indiana businesses and residences demand a relatively large amount of electrical power (average: 12,504 kwh/year), requiring a solar power system of commensurate size. The following is an example of a solar installation in Indianapolis (Marion County), the state’s largest city, which has a population of almost 800,000 and more than 350,000 housing units; the main power provider is Indianapolis Power & Light.

* Roof area required – 550 sq. ft.
* Estimated mid-range cost of system/installation – $49,500
* Federal Tax Credit – $2,000
* Property Tax Exemption – yes
* Estimated increase in property value – $7,100
* Estimated 25-year utility savings – $14,896
* Reduction in greenhouse gases – 128 tons

#1, I think their install cost is low, even for a mid-range system, unless you do it yourself, and know what to do if you have trouble.

#2, I think their "increase in property value" is unrealistic and subjective at best, and ties in with...

#3, except for the people that believe in bad "greenhouse gases" who might pay a bit more for an "green" house, who cares? Do you really think the utility you're tied to will give you a credit for "reducing" the greenhouse gas created to make your electricity? Right now, the government allows the utilities to charge MORE for "green" power.

Now, all of my caveats said, I thought it was an intriguing technologically advanced system that holds a lot of promise, and with a couple more advances, will work better here in Indiana than wind will. But don't think of it as a 1:1 replacement for your utility power.

 

[swatdoc]

Our local power company just installed two large solar arrays on their lot which is used for training. They will now let you sell solar power back to them. So that's another alternative to a full blown living off the grid approach.

 

[agentl074]

I want to warn everyone that this 'living off the grid" (or just partially) isn't cheap, or for the faint of heart. It requires a different mindset to do this. It costs a fortune just for the materials, then there's the fact it won't produce like we've all come to expect (at least 98.9% of us) when you walk in and flip a switch. A $50,000 solar system handles about 5000 watts TOTAL. The electric hair dryer in your bathroom takes 1500-1800 watts alone. That's better than one-fourth your entire output for the house. That 3 ton AC condenser sitting out back takes 240v x 21a= 5040 watts RUNNING. Multiply that times 125% to get it to start! That doesn't include the furnace blower having to run as well. Are you ready to replace your AC condenser with a new, super-efficient one that will work inside your power limitations?

Well, to put it my perspective - my Mackie FR1400 power amplifier takes 6.7 amps @ 120 volts to run a 4 ohm load - which equates to 804 watts of consumption (V*A=W). I still have power to run my sound board, and illumination - with power to spare!!!

Still... IF SHTF, I want to have the solar heat, solar power to run some things and a battery bank
My Dad (AAH project manager) said: "While it may take several years to pay off doing solar - it is well worth it in the long run - if you are going to live there for a long time".

Now, all of my caveats said, I thought it was an intriguing technologically advanced system that holds a lot of promise, and with a couple more advances, will work better here in Indiana than wind will. But don't think of it as a 1:1 replacement for your utility power.

We agree.

However, bear in mind - this is for a residential house - consuming minimum SHTF current.

2.5Kw (constant wattage) is enough for basic life support. With this package - the solar power is running your vital systems; while, the solar water heating system is supplying hot water. I would recommend a geothermal heat pump and a backup heating system.

So really, the price of the package may decrease in time as demand increases - and more power/ battery bank storage can be utilized. Now they don't include the battery banks for storage - if you want storage - they have to be purchased separately. Battery banks are not required with this system - as this feeds direct.... For more information see ---All American Homes Solar Incentives Information---

 

[CarmelHP]

Anyone know what the battery life/maintenance cycle is like. Are they difficult to keep going in a SHTF situation?

 

[jeremy]

Anyone know what the battery life/maintenance cycle is like. Are they difficult to keep going in a SHTF situation?

That is one of the many questions I am attempting to research.