Green Acres Zero Energy Homes - Video Tour

Green Acres Zero Energy Homes in New Paltz, NY are a step beyond low energy homes.  Using geothermal cooling / heating, thermal insulated form construction, super insulation, etc the home is net ZERO energy over the period of a year.

Check out this video for a walking tour and details of all the systems ...





Via: Green Acres, New Paltz LINK

Green Acres Zero Energy Homes - New Paltz, NY

Beyond Low Energy homes are Zero Energy Homes (ZEH).  Using technology including geothermal heating and cooling, PV panels, heat recovery ventilation and super insulation and high efficiency windows the homes in Green Acres (New Paltz NY) may be the first ZEH in the world.

" ... first zero energy (ZEH) community in the United States and possibly the world..."

" ... each home has the capacity to generate enough renewable energy to offset its annual energy needs. ..."

Via:  Green Acres New Paltz (NY)  LINK

US States by Use of Renewable Energy

The map at the left - link to full size below - shows " ... the current state of renewable energy in America ... a large portion of the country is still dragging their feet in adopting more environmentally friendly means of generating electricity. ..."

Pennsylvania ranks 15th
New Jersey ranks 43 rd.

Check out the stats for your state.

Click for full size map ... LINK 


Via:  CoolerPlanet  LINK

Considerations for a Green Building - Video

Check out this VIDEO from Forbes on Green Buildings.

Things to consider are ... a better building envelope, better mechanical systems, geoexchange systems, etc.  Options might include alternative energy sources like solar panels and wind mills / turbines. 



Via: Forbes LINK

How Geothermal Heating and Cooling Works ...

This video explains how geothermal heating and cooling works ... drilling holes into a water source deep in the earth (approx. 200 - 400 feet) and bringing the water to the surface and using a heat exchanger to get air or water to condition (heat or cool) a home or other building.

Geothermal is environmentally friendly as other than electric to run the pumps little energy is needed.

A very interesting video showing a "drill" in Texas ...

How Geothermal System Work

Via: 5Min.com LINK