Stoughton, WI (8/12/2009)
Homeowners John and Rebecca Scheller are constructing one of the region's first net zero energy homes (NZEH) in the WPPI Energy member service territory of Stoughton Utilities. Together with Stoughton Utilities and WPPI Energy, John and Rebecca Scheller celebrated the kickoff of their environmentally responsible building project Wednesday, August 12.
A NZEH is one that produces at least as much energy as it consumes. Through WPPI Energy's GreenMax Home initiative, the Schellers' NZEH will combine renewable energy technologies with advanced energy-efficient construction, generating more power than it uses for a net zero impact on the nation's energy supply. The Schellers' home will raise awareness of the NZEH concept while demonstrating practical ways to save energy and use renewable resources at home.
"We are excited to support the Schellers as they begin the pursuit of net zero energy use and demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship," said Senior Vice President of Customer Services and Administration Tom Paque. "With their GreenMax Home, the Schellers will showcase how normal construction practices, lifestyle and behavior changes, and an eye for details can enhance the efficiency of any home."
Paque presented the Schellers with initial GreenMax Home funding in the amount of $18,000. WPPI Energy will provide a total of $42,000 in GreenMax Home funding for the Schellers' project. An additional $18,000 payment will be awarded once construction of the home is complete, and a final $6,000 will be awarded after the Schellers have demonstrated net zero energy use for one year.
Although unique in its goal of net zero energy use, the home's construction methods are similar to most average homes today. Attention to basic details, such as insulation and air sealing, will help make the home far more efficient. The Schellers will work with Shaw Building & Design, Inc. and WPPI Energy to construct their NZEH, advancing the home's status from highly efficient to net zero.
Key design features of the home include:
- All electric home
- Two ground source heat pumps that will extract heat from the ground and provide heating, cooling and hot water
- Two pole-mounted 2.88 kilowatt arrays of solar photovoltaic panels
- Simple New England Saltbox design making the house easy to insulate and seal
- Structural plumbing with advanced designs and controls to reduce hot water waste and energy use
- Building shell improvements, including ENERGY STARŪ windows, special attention to air sealing, and increased insulation levels
One of the most important features of the Schellers' home will be their commitment to the efficient use of energy and overall desire to protect the environment. With the completion of their NZEH, the Schellers will work with Stoughton Utilities and WPPI Energy to monitor and efficiently manage their energy use and behavior to ensure they meet their net zero energy goal.
"The GreenMax Home initiative provides customers and communities an opportunity to learn valuable lessons about home energy use," said Paque. "Together with the Schellers and Stoughton Utilities, our hope is to increase the visibility of net zero energy use and demonstrate to homeowners and other local public power systems how energy efficient technologies can yield better results."
WPPI Energy's GreenMax Home initiative encourages residents, like the Schellers, to incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in the design and construction of their new and existing homes. Through the GreenMax Home initiative, the Schellers are demonstrating their leadership and long-term commitment to protect the environment.
"Through the GreenMax Home, we can do more and take the next step in improving our efficiency efforts," said homeowner John Scheller. "We see this project as an opportunity to be stewards of the land, and we hope to inspire others to make a similar commitment."
The GreenMax Home is a demonstration of WPPI Energy's overall efforts to encourage
public and community support for renewable energy, energy conservation and energy efficiency. WPPI Energy's first GreenMax Home was completed earlier this year in Black River Falls, Wis. WPPI Energy is committed to helping its members and their customers take advantage of renewable energy technologies and become more efficient energy users.
Contact:
Anne Rodriguez
tel: (608) 834-4569
email: arodriguez@wppienergy.org
