alt.energy.homepower

On Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:15:45 -0700, dbljay7542
wrote:

>Hello and good day to all,
>I am writing here today because I am looking for ideas. I am currently
>designing a new house to be built here in upstate New York in the
>spring. I am looking for ideas to make this house as efficient and
>cost effective as possible. Ideas to keep my energy usage to a minimum
>and make the most of the energy products that I do use. This will be a
>ranch house approximately 2000 square feet built basically in the
>middle of a 4 acre field. any help or ideas that anyone could give
>would be greatly appreciated.
>Thanks
>JJ

If I would build a house today I would make sure that the roof facing
South would have the proper slope to later install solar panels. When
the price and efficiency improves.

I would have a large veranda built with black metal tubes used to
collect the sun's energy and provide shade to the floor below.

Recover 50% of the heat from the shower.

Heat pump with horizontal or vertical piping with a super heater

Radiation floor and forced air for AC

Increased insulation on the West side of the house. Prevailing winds

Minimize the number of windows on the North side and use fixed windows
if permitted by local laws. Usually one must have one window per wall
that can be opened,

Drive way and stairs with a metal grate and a large tank under to
store the snow, connected to the sewer pipes for minimum shoveling.


I am close to you and... ... may be we could exchange a few more ideas
or arrange for a visit

John