[jrose_lee]

Hello,

help me understand why it would be beneficial to build a solar home or a dome home. We have done some research and it looks like there are still heating and other bills. So what exactly does it do then? Also, it looks like the price can add up quickly. Any thoughts? (Give Me some hope. We really want to try it. Talk me into it cause I like them

and if anyon can suggets a company, espcially in Iowa)

 

[UlrikeDG]

Get ahold copy of The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling by Daniel D. Chiras. There are a number of things you can do to reduce heating & cooling costs without adding at all to the cost of building.

 

[lucyem]

We built an engineered solar home. Active and passive. We can turn off the hot water heater at least 9 months of the year and it only kicks in when there is a bunch of cloudy days. In the winter the sun heats the house all day and the heat kicks in at night using the hot water from the roof. The gas heater goes on about once a week in the winter depending on cloud cover. Our electric bill is very low for a large house, working barn and cottage. We average $50 a month. We fill up on propane once a year for the backup heater. We save money buying it in bulk in July.

We were told it would take 23 years to break even on the solar system (roof etc) - based on oil prices 5 years ago. Presently we will break even on the solar system in about 7 years. And that number is dropping as oil prices go up and up and up. The house we took down, was not only having issues with the structure, lead paint, lead pipes, plaster and more, was going through OVER 3000 gallons of oil a winter!!!!! Ouch! Makes me very glad we did what we did. Anyway we did most of the building ourselves to save because the extra costs in building the solar system took up a big chunk of the mortgage. And while some days I wish I had a finished bathroom, I just keep on reminding myself of the house that used to be here.

 

[gr8tfulmom]

As far as a dome goes there is typically 1/3 less surface area for the same amount of usable square footage. Does that make sense? Because the "corners of the box" in a rectangular structure are eliminated in a dome you lose 'dead' space that you would have to heat/cool/ventilate. By eliminating that surface area the structure eliminates that much energy usage right off the bat. Our dome has 18" cavity outer walls, they are filled b/w 6-8" full of soy-based foam, it works out to an R val of 50 something. We have heard "you can heat that house with a candle" from more than a few contractors. The shape also comes into play as far as outdoor air infiltration (especially in the winter). The dome shape naturally is more aerodynamic than a flat box, and allows for the wind to blow right on past and not be directed into any nooks and crannies, because there aren't any corners to get trapped in.

We are still researching solar options, but to me being completey self sufficient is the end goal. Our house is oriented on the property to maximize passive solar gain, and windows/doors were also planned with that in mind. It will take a while to get there and it won't be cheap, but we won't depend on any company or government to maintain our lifestyle. That, to me, is priceless. If net metering legislation goes through in our state, all the better

We haven't moved in or gone through a winter yet so I can't say "we saved x". What I do know is that we will feel much better about lessening our depetion of the commons.

 

[jrose_lee]

how you can add solar and "off grid" options later? has anyone done this on a pre-built "normal" home. also does anyone have any suggestions for solar/dome home companies for good deals that include everything building,materials,interior, exterior. all of that. thanks!

 

[boatbaby]

www.solarhouse.com
and
www.solardecathlon.org

are both great resources! Go for it!

 

[Luthien Arcamenel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucyem We were told it would take 23 years to break even on the solar system (roof etc) - based on oil prices 5 years ago. Presently we will break even on the solar system in about 7 years. And that number is dropping as oil prices go up and up and up.

: So true!

Well, we're solar, because we are not even next to a grid!

as far as cost, my hubby shops around and searches a lot, and is still in the process of piecing it all together. It hasn't turned out to be too exspensive this way at all.

 

[SleeplessMommy]

I would start with appropriate design and construction... ie having enough insulation, south facing orientation, appropriate windows, etc. Better to do these in construction than to try to retrofit later... cause it can be hard to fix! Passive solar is much lower in cost than active.

Lots of McMansions are being built ignoring simple stuff, like south facing windows. And they have extre $$$ wasters, like that 2nd staircase. One of these has just been planted next to our home.

THEN I would look at active solar, solar roof, etc. And be sure to check on tax credits for your state! I heard there are lots of these in CA.