Modular Home Systems |
|
The Solar Village Concept Solar Village is a collection of intelligent green homes offered exclusivley by the All American Homes network. Solar village allows you to take control of ever increasing energy costs by living in a home that: |
| * | Generates low to zero energy bills | |
| * | Is designed for healthy indoor air and superior comfort year round | |
| * | Provides excellent livability through well designed floor plans | |
| * | Uses eco-friendly construction methods and materials to protect the environment | |
| * | Utilizes low maintenance windows, doors and siding materials | |
| * | May reduce your overall cost of home ownership |
| What makes a Solar Village home special? Renewable enery - Solar energy popularity is exploding in this country because it can provide free power for the 30-40 year life of the system. This power does not pollute our environment and has no moving parts to break. If you keep your energy uses in check, a solar energy system, in conjunction with our solar hot water system, can result in a near zero energy bill home. Most importantly, this system shields you from ever rising energy rates. Some states and the federal government have rebates and other incentives that apply to these systems. Use the following website to investigate what programs may be available in your area. www.dsireusa.org |
| Conceptual design -All Solar Village Home plans have open, exible living areas that take advantage of passive solar gains, natural lighting, typical cooling winds, views, natural features and outdoor connections. The main living space (kitchen/dining/living room) is placed to take advantage of passive heating and cooling opportunities. |
| Passive cooling and heating strategies -Solar Village homes are designed with awnings, roof overhangs and porches that properly shade sun-exposed windows from major solar gains in the summer and let in winter sun for free heating. The interior spaces are designed to store the cold (summer) and heat (winter) in thermal mass in the form of: 1.5” of Gyp-Crete® on the 1st level floor, floor tile, countertops, 5/8” sheetrock and other materials used throughout the home. |
| Site evaluation and orientation-Solar Village homes lower your utility bills by using the design elements noted above and, most importantly, by using free energy from the sun. To ensure the maximum performance from the solar panels, each plan has a distinct southern elevation that should be held to within 20 degrees of due south. This allows the PV panels that generate electricity and the solar collectors that heat your domestic hot water maximum exposure to the sun. Natural features like daily breezes, shading from native trees or hills, views of the landscape and other site conditions are considered as well. The goal is a super energy efficient home that compliments your surroundings and fits your taste and lifestyle. |
| Solar Village Home plans |
| Foundation systems – Depending on the home’s location, we recommend a foundation system that offers the most comfort and efficiency. Insulated foundations are critical in “heating focused” regions of the country. The foundation should be insulated on both sides and the floor for a full basement, or at least below the freeze line for a perimeter only foundation. |
| Thermal envelope – This is the most critical part of the Solar Village home as we seek to maximize the thermal performance of the walls and ceilings for minimum radiation gains, low air in ltration levels and maximum insulation value (R-value). A Solar Village home has foam insulation in the walls and ceilings to fill in every cavity, including the headers and has an additional ½” rigid foam foil faced exterior insulation to minimize the thermal bridging that occurs at each stud and rim board. The foil face will minimize the radiation gains ignored with typical insulation. The foam insulation and rigid foam combination will minimize air in ltration to maximize comfort and efficiency. Optimal thermal performance is not measured by R-value alone. Air infilltration is also a critical factor. Solar Village homes have virtually zero air infilltration along with sidewalls rated at R-23 and ceilings rated at R-49. |
| Solar Village Home plans |
| Windows and doors – Windows are critical to a high performance home as they can result in signi cant heat gains and losses. Solar Village homes use Energy Star rated fiberglass windows with double pane low-E glass for all windows except the southern facing windows. Fiberglass windows are five times as strong as vinyl windows and have a much richer look. Since they are based on glass, they expand and contract at the same rate as the glazing resulting in a superior seal at the frame. The fiberglass frame also acts as an insulating barrier since the frame traps air. The southern facing windows will not have low-E coating in heating-focused climates. This allows more winter sun into the house for free heating. |
| Mechanical heating and hot water systems – All Solar Village Homes come standard with a high velocity heating and cooling system for maximum comfort and efficiency. In addition, they have a standard solar hot water system that handles the domestic hot water (DHW) only and an optional system that covers DHW and space heating. The panels contain Glycol which is heated via the sun. The heat is transferred into the water (stored in a storage tank) through a heat exchanger. The storage tank is also equipped with a heating element as a back-up heat source for the water. |
| Solar Village Home plans |
| Indoor air quality – These homes place a major emphasis on healthy indoor air. The homes use no volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and non-toxic insulation throughout. Since Solar Village homes are built so tight they also have outside air intakes to bring in a constant supply of fresh air. A Heat Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system brings in outside air and tempers it before it enters the space to minimize the heating or cooling load impact. |
| Lighting – All provided lighting will be the most efficient possible for the given use. Compact fluorescents will be used in high and long-term use areas. Halogen lights will be used in bathrooms and when dimming capabilities are needed. |
| Landscaping – The final step in creating an energy-smart home is to add plants and trees that enhance the home’s look, performance and connection to nature. At a minimum, this will include deciduous shade trees on the south and west sides of the home to minimize solar gains in the summer and allow for heat gains in the winter. Planting evergreen trees on the side of the home that receives the most typical winds will help shield the home and improve performance. It’s best to avoid planting evergreens that will shade the southern windows and or roof. |
| Solar Village Home plans |