December 16, 2013
By Buddy Waxman, Sierra Club member
Our interest in energy efficiency has inspired us to make several improvements to our home. In 1980, we added a solar greenhouse on the back of our 1950s era Olivette house and insulated its outside walls. Up until 2009, when we added onto our home, the green house had provided between 30% and 50% of our winter heating depending on the number of sunny days. The green house uses double pane acrylic panels set at an angle of approximately 15 degrees from vertical so that the winter sun is perpendicular to them. In the summer, we cover the glazing with a sun screen cloth to reduce that buildup of heat.
In 2009 we added a master bedroom and a family room to our home. In order avoid the need for additional heating and cooling, we put Sunmate solar heating panels on the south side of our addition and used double wall construction for the exterior walls. We also added insulated shades to all windows in the addition. We are very pleased that we are able to heat our home using even less gas during the winter.
In 2010 we had photo voltaic panels put on the roof. These panels, aided by our efforts to be energy efficient, meet all of our electric needs and more even in the summer when our air conditioner is running. In fact, our panels generate about 1500 kWh more per year than we use.
Our latest project includes two large rain barrels that hold about 110 gallons each. We use this water for the plants in a solar green house and for our outside gardens. If you would like
more details, please write us at bwaxman2005@gmail.com.