Featured Technologies
Check out all the latest tech that goes into this futuristic Net Zero house.
As the residential solar division for the Suntuity brand, Suntuity Solar brings over 150 years of combined experience in renewable energy and roofing to the Net Zero Home Project.
With extensively trained installers and fully vetted, licensed and bonded electricians in-house, the solar professionals are well-equipped to install the 90 DualSun SPRING® hybrid solar panels to complete the 28.35-kilowatt array that will cover 1,800 square feet of the roof. The panels are prefabricated with quick fittings for all piping and wires and will utilize S-5 clamps and racking to adhere to the roof, which will help streamline the installation process. The Team will also install 8 Tesla Powerwalls to pair with the solar array, which can store up to 13.5 kilowatt-hours of energy as a supplemental power source and as backup storage during power outages.
With just the projected kilowatt-hours of the solar system alone, this Net Zero Home will produce enough clean energy to offset the pollution from 63M+ miles driven by the average vehicle every year.
BuildBlock Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are the strongest, most energy-efficient building material available and is considered the most “installer-friendly” ICFs on the market. The material can survive natural disasters better than traditional construction methods, and the tight, fully-reversible interlocking connections provide faster installation timelines.
Used to build homes, schools, churches, and other commercial buildings, the BuildBlock ICF brand is designed to produce less waste, promote energy efficiency, provide monetary savings, and creates a sense of security and peace of mind for the homeowner.
Suntuity Home’s first NetZero structure has utilized BuildBlock’s 4” ICFs for the basement, front porch, back deck, pool and driveway foundations.
CertainTeed’s STONEfacade™ is a manufactured, architectural stone veneer made from natural Ledgestone that does not require mortar to install. The product brings beauty and high-quality craftsmanship to a very affordable, low maintenance, easy-to-install panelized system that provides a 92% return on investment to any new home construction or remodeling upgrade.
The materials promote moisture management as the industry’s only fully-integrated rain screen, which provides additional structure support and ample drainage to protect your investment from mold, mildew, or other moisture-related issues.
Suntuity Home’s first NetZero structure utilizes CertainTeed’s mortarless STONEfacade™ for its stone siding, using a fastening flange to attach it directly to the wall.
TESLA Powerwall® is a battery that stores energy, detects power outages, and automatically starts powering your home as its energy source when the power goes out. Powerwall®, unlike traditional gasoline generators, keeps your lights on and phones charges without any upkeep, fuel, or noise.
If you pair your Powerwall with a solar panel system that is consistently harvesting sunlight, your appliances will be able to run for days without grid connection. Easily installable in both indoor and outdoor spaces, you can save money, reduce your carbon footprint and always be prepared for power outages.
Suntuity Home’s first NetZero structure utilizes 8 Powerwalls®, which can provide the home with 13.5 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of energy as the supplemental home power source to the 28.35 kW (kilowatt) solar panel system and as backup storage during power outages.
DualSun’s SPRING® module, the first hybrid solar PV panel in the world to obtain the “hybrid solar” Solar Keymark certification in 2013, is ideal for projects with a dual self-consumption system that generates hot water and electricity. It can resist the projection of hailstones up to 40mm in diameter, winds of up to 130km/h, 6 meters of snowfall, extreme temperatures anywhere between -40ᵒF and 185ᵒF, and extreme humidity.
SPRING® has a patented heat exchanger consisting of (165) 5-mm ducts that allow water to circulate inside the panel and optimize heat transfer in the photovoltaic cells. The front side is a monocrystalline panel with a sleek, full-black finish, and the rear side provides both cooling to the panel and the reuse of waste heat (in the form of hot water) generated by the heat exchanger. The modules are prefabricated with quick fittings for all piping and wires.
Suntuity Home’s first NetZero structure has included the installation of (90) 315-watt SPRING® hybrid panels to complete a 28.35 kW solar power system, with 38,250 kWh of energy production projected within the first year of activation.
Warmboard® is a premier radiant heating system that can warm your home up in minutes, ensuring the temperature is always perfect for you. This one-of-kind system has incredibly precise control and is more conductive in comparison to other radiant heating systems.
With easily installable panels, Warmboard® ensures unparalleled comfort with low energy use that always saves money. The high conductivity provides the lowest water temperatures which naturally decreases energy use and energy bills, and allows seamless integration into solar and geothermal systems – without the need for additional hardware.
Suntuity Home’s first NetZero structure includes Warmboard® radiant heating systems on the first and second floors, which are built on 16’ trusses. The central portion of the basement will also include piping within the concrete foundation for radiant floor heating.
Ply Gem® windows and patio doors are available in a variety of materials and styles to complement the aesthetic of your home and budget. Innovative energy-efficient glass packages are designed for optimum performance and meet ENERGY STAR® guidelines in any climate zone. Homeowners that choose Ply Gem® are offered an unlimited selection of interior and exterior options to complement any style or design trend.
Suntuity Home’s first NetZero structure has 3-pane Ply Gem® windows with argon gas insulation, low emissivity and a U-factor of 0.28.
The Panoramic Door is recognized by industry-leading publications for its unique and innovative design with hinge-less panels that allow you more control over how many you want open. This product puts you in control of your environment and can alter the airflow to suite your specific needs. Incredibly affordable and user-friendly, Panoramic Doors decided to never comprise on quality or customer satisfaction ─ and have since received multiple design awards and acquired many happy clients across North America.
Suntuity Home chose Panoramic Doors for its first NetZero structure due to its combination of PVC and aluminum for improved thermal conditions and structural strength, as well as the hinge-less design that allows for increased efficiency and functionality.
Englert Inc. is a pioneer in onsite roll forming and an industry leading manufacturer of commercial and residential metal roofing and gutter systems. Englert supports a nationwide contractor network with a full line of portable roll forming machines as well as the highest quality metal coil painted on the industry’s most advanced coil coating line.
Suntuity Home chose the Englert A1500 standing seam metal roof because of the Company’s commitment to quality and their extensive testing requirements. The roof panels, made from 25% recycled material, are environmentally-friendly and are LEED and ENERGY STAR® compliant. The low-gloss, non-reflective coating helps reduce energy bills by up to 50% and keeps the surface 60-70 degrees cooler than other roof coatings.
Using the roof’s integrated “rails” makes solar mounting quick and convenient. What’s more, direct-attach with the S-5-PVKIT 2.0 reduces the weight of the mounting system by 85% while providing 25% better load distribution and 70% fewer components, as well as lower material costs compared to rail mounting.
With total mounting system weight below 3.5 lbs./kW (1.6kg)/kW compared to 19 lbs. (8.6 kg)/kW for railed systems, the savings in transport costs and logistics is tremendous. The solar zone layout is more flexible. The added load to the building structure is far less. Material handling is reduced and simplified with only 3 components for the mounting system. Electrical bonding is automatic. “Lay and play” installation saves time on the roof.
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