Electrical Safety Authority

Having passed the ESA inspection, the 10 Kw solar PV system was officially hooked up and is now producing solar energy for the grid. Not only is this the first net zero house in Niagara, but according to local distribution company, Niagara Peninsula Energy, it is also the first microFIT project in Niagara.

See the happy faces.

Free Hot Water

Welcome to the Twenty-first Century of home building and design. The latest innovative technologies have gone into the Net Zero Project to:

produce energy,

recapture energy,

save energy,

and make money for the homeowner.

Today I want to talk about the Geothermal Heat Pump and its amazing features that end up giving Free Hot Water to the house.

The design team from Informed Energy Solutions chose to install the Boreal Geothermal System in the NNZP. This is one of the most advanced systems available, requiring little or no maintenance over many, many years of operation.

Its main function, in very simplistic terms, is to transfer heat from one place to another.

Glycol solution circulates through flexible piping buried 6 - 8 feet underground around the perimeter of the house, capturing the sun's heat stored in the earth.

After the basement floor was insulated to the level of R14, closed-loop heat-exchang piping was laid down, and then covered with concrete. Cycling an inexhaustible supply of energy found 6 - 8 feet underground, the Boreal heat pump is already supplying radiant in-floor heating to the basement level of the NNZP. The pump moves 3 - 4 times more heat into the building than the energy used to operate it.

When the seasons change and the house is hotter than the ground outside, the process is reversed. Heat is absorbed from inside, circulated out and exchanged for the cooler temperature of the earth 8 feet down. Air conditioning flows through the central duct system. This is accomplished by a simple adjustment of a room thermostat.

And this is where the free hot water comes in.

In the summer, as heated solution is being circulated out of the basement floor mass, heat recovery coils collect the unwanted heat from the house and directs it to the hot water tanks. Even winter operation of the system boosts hot water at a 60 - 75% savings over that of an electric hot water heater alone. The annual savings on the typical electric bill is usually 20 - 30%.

Over all, the geothermal system built into the Net Zero Project house saves carbon emissions equivalent to the output of 5 cars per annum.

Talk about Earth Day!

Every day, all year long!!

Friday Follow for NNZP

Well here is a blog you don't see every day in cyberspace. It's a new venture, going for the green in environmental aces. I have decided to put it out there in the fun venue of Friday Follow to garner as much exposure as is possible attract.

The Niagara Net Zero Project is the first of its kind in the Niagara Ontario Region. Filled with state-of-the-art green technologies, this is a beautifully appointed home producing as much or more electricity than it can use. As of this past Wednesday, the house, still under construction, has been connected to the hydro grid, feeding in clean electricity from the 10 kW solar array mounted on its south-facing roof and getting paid to do so at a rate of $.802 per KWhr in accordance with the Ontario microFIT program.

Become a follower of this blog. Learn about the green technologies that among other things, can make your roof work for you. It's new. The learning curve is massive. Our poor planet is relying on people like you to make healthy changes in energy consumption and renewable resource development. Follow the continuing posts to learn more. Ask questions. Make comments.

Friday Follow is sponsored by three lovely mavens at the following blogspots:

Midday Escapades

One 2 Try

Hearts Make Families

Check us out and follow along. The fun is in meeting new people, being exposed to new ideas and learning more about the world we live in now. Stop for a visit, leave a comment and we will follow you back. Have a happy Friday and a great weekend.

Feeding the Grid

Record Breaking News!

As of 2pm. Tuesday, April 20th, the 10 kW solar photovotaic (PV) system of the Niagara Net Zero Project was connected to the hydro-electric grid of the Niagara Region. The beautiful sunny skies began feeding the grid at a rate of $8.00 an hour under Ontario's microFIT program.

one of many micro inverters

Solar PV racking on south-facing roof

The Enphase Envoy EMU. System is connected and feeding the grid at a rate of $0.802/kWh

Where the white and red IES banner is displayed on the roof right now is the reserved space for the solar hot water panels. It is clear to see the panels integrate with the design of the roof, achieving an asthetic installation.

As rates for residencial electricity are on the rise, solar panels are a viable consideration for lowering the cost of owning and operating a private residence. Infact, this solar PV system will generate roughly $10,000.00 per year for 20 years, becoming a sustainable source of revenue for the home owners. The PV systems sold and installed by Informed Energy Solutions Inc. have a guaranteed life span of 25 years, usually equivalent to the longevity of the homeowner's mortgage. Together with current government incentives, 20 year contracts to buy back power production, and low financial rates, homeowners must seriously think about investing in this state-of-the-art solar energy solution.

Call an IES professional solar consultant at 905-562-1426 or visit our website to request personal attention only we can give:

* a written quote on the job

* finances discussed and facilitated

* application process to microFIT enabled

* permits and inspections handled by IES


Let Informed Energy Solutions Inc. lead you and your home into the 21st century of solar electricity production and start saving money today.

Welcome to the Niagara Net Zero Project (NNZP) Blog!

Informed Energy Solutions Inc. (IES) is building the first Net Zero Home in Niagara. IES has integrated leading technologies, intelligent design and a "keep it local" outlook resulting in a state-of-the-art home right here in Niagara. Featuring solar electricity generating, eco-friendly and healthy concepts, this is a project that is turning heads and capturing the attention and imaginations of our clients.

The 10 kW solar PV system mounted on the back roof, as well as a series of specialized technologies built into every level of the house make energy conservation and an environmentally friendly lifestyle easy and maintenance free. Most importantly, the NNZP will generate the same amount or more power than it uses and will generate an annual income of roughly $10,000 -$11, 000 from Ontario's microFIT program for the next 20 years.

Follow us as we update our blog weekly to showcase several different features and advantages of this project. Want to learn more, take a tour or have us talk with you? For more information regarding the Niagara Net Zero Project or information about installing your own solar array:

Check out IES online

Email sales@informedenergysolutions.com

Contact Carol Lotz at Royal Lepage 905-688-4561

Call for a personal consultation at 905-562-1426.