Net-Zero Farmhouse

After a year of fine-tuning work has begun the NET-ZERO Farmhouse where our goal is to produce as much energy as we consume and hopefully more! Our approach here is an extremely tight and energy efficient envelop with triple pane windows, natural lighting and ventilation, and highly energy efficient fixtures and appliances to reduce the overall load balanced by a high efficiency wood burning boiler and an array of 16 photovoltaic panels to heat and power this 2000sf farmhouse.

The excavation and footings are complete and the formwork for the Thermomass foundation is also nearly done with the concrete pour to come in tomorrow. The Thermomass foundation is part of the overall insulating strategy put forward by Pat O’Malley of Building Knowledge, which calls for R-60 in the roof, R-40 in the walls and R-20 in the foundation and basement slab. The foundation will have 4” of concrete on the exterior, 4” of rigid insulation in the middle and another 4” of concrete on the inside. The house will have in-floor heat and a mini-split heat pump for AC, but more on that later. Let the fun begin!

Eric Odor Net Zero