Mansfield Net Zero Farm House
This CT Zero Energy Challenge award winner demonstrates that its easy to balance all the building’s energy needs with solar energy. By capturing free heat from the sun in the winter and adding a solar photovoltaic system to provide all the energy the home needs this home will have no energy expense each year, now and always.
The home features enduring craft and exceptional “barefoot” comfort which is made possible by thick walls and air tight construction. This means less energy is required to heat and cool the space, which is easily accomplished with a small, high efficiency mini-split heat pump. Constant fresh air from a balanced heat recovery ventilation system assures better health. Hot water is produced efficiently by a heat pump water heater.
“It made a lot of sense to us that the builder would be working with the architect because they know what is possible together. The costs were really clear. If we were making a decision about buying this versus that, it was our decision to do that. It was put in a spreadsheet so you can see the impact. That process was really helpful because there were no surprises.
– Paul and Louise
“It made a lot of sense to us that the builder would be working with the architect because they know what is possible together. The costs were really clear. If we were making a decision about buying this versus that, it was our decision to do that. It was put in a spreadsheet so you can see the impact. That process was really helpful because there were no surprises.”
– Paul and Louise