Energuide Rating
The EnerGuide Home Evaluation is a Canadian Government energy performance / efficiency rating based on the energy consumed at the home site in GJ/YEAR.
To develop a standardized rating of home performance it uses criteria such as energy developed on site, efficiency of insulation, resource usage, and renewable energy used to offset the GJ/YEAR value. Along with EnergyStar, it is a base rating system useful for noting the efficiency of a home site or to evaluate areas of needed change to create a more energy-conscious home site. We decided to have an Energy Assessment performed to test the efficiency of our passive home design. We could always say, "this conceptual design is energy efficient", but without a standard of testing to prove just HOW efficient it really is, we would not have much more than our word or anecdotal statements to share. This helps us to demonstrate what we mean now when we do say, "this conceptual design is energy efficient". Financial rebates are also available through regional district offices for many elements of new builds and remodeling if done with these efficiencies in mind. Part of our requirement for getting this test performed was to have some of our costs recouped in the form of rebates. |
2.5KW Photovoltaic Solar Array
The power of the sun captured across silicon cells and inverted to 120VAC as well as usable 24VDC. This first PV installation of 9 panels providing 2.5KW/H of potential energy has shown to generate much more than our base energy requirements over the summer months here on Vancouver Island.
The winter clouds here are abundant and various. Cloud analysis and weather projection are essential elements of 100% off-grid energy use. As our systems evolves we lessen our use of refined petrol for deep winter recharging of our solar system. A cost / use analysis will be posted once we harness enough data to give an accurate representation of what resources other than solar it takes to live closer to an energy-grid / resource independent home site. |
Removing Waste from the Equation
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Closed Loop Vs Open Loop
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Permaculture
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