The Van Geet home near Denver, Colorado, demonstrates the successful integration of energy conservation measures and renewable energy supply in a beautiful, comfortable, energy-efficient, off-grid home in a cold, sunny climate. Features include a tight envelope, energy-efficient appliances, passive solar heating (direct gain and Trombe wall), natural cooling, solar hot water, and photovoltaics. In addition to describing this house and its performance, this paper describes the recommended design process of (1) setting a goal for energy efficiency at the outset, (2) applying rules of thumb, and (3) using computer simulation to fine-tune the design. Performance monitoring and computer simulation are combined for the best possible analysis of energy performance. In this case, energy savings are estimated as 89% heating and cooling (compared to 95 MEC), 83% electrical, and nearly 100% domestic water heating. The heating and cooling energy use is
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Design and Performance of the Van Geet Off-Grid Home
C. Dennis Barley,
C. Dennis Barley
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., MS 2722, Golden, Colorado 80401
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Paul Torcellini,
Paul Torcellini
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., MS 2722, Golden, Colorado 80401
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Otto Van Geet
Otto Van Geet
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., MS 2723, Golden, Colorado 80401
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C. Dennis Barley
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., MS 2722, Golden, Colorado 80401
Paul Torcellini
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., MS 2722, Golden, Colorado 80401
Otto Van Geet
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., MS 2723, Golden, Colorado 80401
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING. Manuscript received by the ASME Solar Energy Division, May 2003; final revision, November 2003. Associate Editor: T. Agami Reddy.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2004, 126(2): 738-743 (6 pages)
Published Online: May 4, 2004
Article history
Received:
May 1, 2003
Revised:
November 1, 2003
Online:
May 4, 2004
Citation
Barley, C. D., Torcellini, P., and Van Geet, O. (May 4, 2004). "Design and Performance of the Van Geet Off-Grid Home ." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2004; 126(2): 738–743. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1644560
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