Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Building homes that make more power than they take
http://www.thepublicopinion.com/news/associated_press/science_and_technology/article_74d898c9-f601-5ac2-9655-53d188f9ad3d.html[font face=Serif][font size=5]Building homes that make more power than they take[/font]
Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 7:35 am | Updated: 10:01 am, Wed Jul 24, 2013.
Associated Press
[font size=3]Homes being built in this Hudson Valley cul-de-sac offer prospective buyers wooded lots, pretty views and _ oh yes _ the promise of thumbing your nose at the power utility.
These "zero-net energy" homes will feature thick walls, solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling systems, meaning families should be able to generate more energy over a year than they consume. These homes under construction 70 miles north of New York City have costly green features. But the builders believe they are in tune with consumers increasingly concerned about the environment and fuel costs.
And there are homebuyers here and around the nation who are willing to pay more for savings down the line.
"I don't have to worry about $6,000 worth of utilities to run a house," said Gil Lobell, a current zero-net home dweller moving his family into a larger house in the new development. "I can use that money for other things, so we go on vacations because I'm not spending money on utilities. I don't worry about oil bills. I don't worry about electric bills. I don't worry about gas bills."
…[/font][/font]
Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 7:35 am | Updated: 10:01 am, Wed Jul 24, 2013.
Associated Press
[font size=3]Homes being built in this Hudson Valley cul-de-sac offer prospective buyers wooded lots, pretty views and _ oh yes _ the promise of thumbing your nose at the power utility.
These "zero-net energy" homes will feature thick walls, solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling systems, meaning families should be able to generate more energy over a year than they consume. These homes under construction 70 miles north of New York City have costly green features. But the builders believe they are in tune with consumers increasingly concerned about the environment and fuel costs.
And there are homebuyers here and around the nation who are willing to pay more for savings down the line.
"I don't have to worry about $6,000 worth of utilities to run a house," said Gil Lobell, a current zero-net home dweller moving his family into a larger house in the new development. "I can use that money for other things, so we go on vacations because I'm not spending money on utilities. I don't worry about oil bills. I don't worry about electric bills. I don't worry about gas bills."
…[/font][/font]
9 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
