Rt1583
So it only takes 37 years to pay all the systems off? Sign me up! That sounds like the deal of a lifetime!
In all seriousness, it is great that they proved what they did but until prices become more realistic there won't be enough people who can afford to do this.
Slowburn
Of course it would not do near as well with a real family living in it with the children leaving doors open, people staring in the fridge, and of course light left on all the time.
Milton
@ Slowburn:
They said their energy-usage was exactly the average.
So, being an average... everything you mention has already been factored in... along with the intelligent kids/adults who know how to shut-doors and turn-off lights.
Slowburn
@ Milton I know what they said it is just I don't believe they got it right.
The Skud
I agree with Slowburn - A useful exercise, but it could prove difficult to duplicate in a real life situation,no matter how "average" the computer simulations are. You could probably up the power usage by 10% with a real family. That negates the power surplus so you are left with a fairly expensive (although maybe usefully off-grid somewhere) home to pay off.
Mark A
Send the virtual kid up to clean the snow off the panels and performance would have been even better. And for his allowance - bitcoins.
Slowburn
Also average means that half is higher.
TeeWee
Please take note, a real family did not live In this house. A computer lived in the house and was programed to 'average' but not real. With all the homeless families out there don't you think this outfit could have moved a real family into the house rent free and obtained a more accurate assessment of real life.
I know people who live off grid in Colorado and they need back up generators when the sun dosen't shine and the wind doesn't blow.
This was likely a grant funded project designed to show a predictable result.
Greg Proefrock
All y'all, Some important factors are missing from your criticisms of the value of the project. Before laying out a judgment, how about getting all the relevant information?
For example, while the article states savings on electricity, it doesn't state savings on fuel for heating, perhaps substantial due to the better air barrier and insulation, or for a car (replaced by elec, as noted). So, we don't have enough info to calculate payback time.
Payback time doesn't matter much if I finance it with PACE loans, so the cost stays with the house, not with the borrower; so I can move to another house before it pays back fully and not lose money. I hear of more and more places where that is becoming an option.
Houses that are sealed and insulated well tend to be more evenly comfortable throughout the spaces, throughout time. What value of happiness?
They tend to be more healthful places. What value of not getting sick as much?
As energy rates rise, per the long term trend, the rate of savings increases. So, payback time occurs faster than the calculations in these comments.
Currently, the initial cost can be reduced in a few ways. First, some energy systems (like solar power, solar thermal, etc.) can be leased; little or no upfront cost; system designed to optimize your expenses & savings. Also, there are federal tax credits for power systems (30% cost reduction) and tax credits or cash rebates in various states and utility districts. These often lead to a total cost reduction of 50% to 60%, thereby reducing payback time. There are state and district incentives for energy efficient construction (air barrier, insulation, better furnace, better duct design, etc.). Those reduce the cost noted here.
How about home value? If you sell a home with solar power and a record of lower heating bills, plus good testimonials about comfort, how much more would you get in the sale? If you show a banker that your operating cost is lower than usual, what better terms on a loan for a car or a business startup could you get?
Very few homes are off the grid. That comment about people in Colorado is not relevant enough to reject the project in general. In most places, a home with a solar power systems is required to be connected to the grid, if it is already on the grid. So, the grid provides power when the home system doesn't generate. If the grid goes down, you can still get power during generating times (if you have the right kind of inverter, like Sunny Island as well as the common Sunny Boy). Then, sure, you can have batteries for the rare times when the grid is down and there is no home power generation.
Generally, the article is incomplete, lacks many of the benefits in a cost-benefit analysis. No assessment can be made, with integrity.
Would you want someone to evaluate you, without considering all of your virtues?
slider99
How can they only use 491kWH a month? I average 1,550 a month and have a new home very well insulated.