Zowie! Check out this high performance, sustainably designed, all electric home!

We love it when readers share their adventures in creating super energy-efficient homes. Whether it is new construction or retrofitting an old home, these stories help demonstrate the ways we can improve the costs, comfort, and safety of our own homes (and use those federal, state, and utility grants/rebates as they come online!)

In Bayport, Minn., amidst the scenery of the St. Croix National Scenic River area, the Nolan family is living a life that’s as green as their lush surroundings. Simply put, the Nolan home is a sustainable gem! Fully electrified and powered entirely by renewable energy, it boasts a range of eco-friendly design features. CERTs had the pleasure of chatting with Tim Nolan to get an inside look at his innovative home and learn more about the family's green living journey.
 

CERTs: What are some of the benefits and challenges of living in an all-electric home?
Nolan: There are nuances to an electric air (source) heat pump and water heater system. On the up side the HVAC is very efficient and combined with an efficient building envelope, windows, appliances, and lighting, the Home Energy Rating System score (get one done!) and energy costs are half that of a standard home. The biggest challenge is air heat pumps decrease in performance at low temperatures resulting in uneven heat distribution in parts of the home.   

CERTs: Do you have one or two favorite aspects?
Nolan: Passive solar features provide supplemental heat and extensive daylighting. The high efficiency fireplace insert can heat the entire home with radiant heat creating an esthetically pleasing ambiance. The home is powered by 100 percent renewable energy and utilizes all natural materials including sustainably harvested wood (cherry, red oak, bitternut hickory) flooring and window casing from a family farm. 

CERTs: You have nearly four years of energy use performance information. Has anything surprised you?
Nolan: Summer cooling months are very low in electricity use. This is the peak time of year for Xcel Energy. 

CERTs: What advice would you give to someone starting their journey to build or retrofit an all electric home?
Nolan: When building a new home, be hands on in the design build process. Develop sustainable design goals up front to guide decision making on architectural features, materials use, windows, appliances, HVAC, and other measures. This includes addressing the home as a system where one choice affects another. Maximize building envelope efficiency to begin with to reduce overall energy load. Understand that the builder and subcontractors may not be up to speed on necessary methods. Inspect progress as the home is being built and reuse excess materials. 

Additional reading: Check out these links and geek out with us!

• Exploring Sustainable Living: A Visit to Timothy and Sheila Nolan's Green Haven
• Upgrade Stories | Central MN Chapter