Eco HouseBy, Kyle Grahn, Ben Haklay, and Katya

Solar Power Cell(Main Source)Solar power plant is

based on the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP).

Used to power homes and other Institutions

Solar Power Cell ContinuedWe will use this as

our main power source

Much less expensive than using normal electricity

Cost about $10,000-$20,000 on average to switch to solar

Would save a lot of money after it evens out

Earth Tubes• What is it used for?

• partially dehumidifies the air but is mainly used for indoor cooling/heating

• How does it work?• Air from inside the home or structure

is blown through a U-shaped loop of typically 30 to 150 m (100 to 500 ft) of tube(s) where it is moderated to near earth temperature before returning to be distributed via ductwork throughout the home or structure. The closed loop system can be more effective (during air temperature extremes) than an open system, since it cools and recools the same air.

• What does it replace?• Air conditioners and heaters

• Costs about the same as an airconditioner

Dual Flush Toilets

• What is it used for?• To reduce water use.  On average

they save about 15 gallons of water per person per day.

How does it work?• You only use as much water as

needed, by pressing a different button depending on if you went #1 (1.1 gallons) or #2 (1.6 gallons).  

• What does it replace?• low-flow toilet that uses 1.6 gallons

• Costs? • $$ (pays for itself in 2-3 years)

Reflective Roofing

• What is it used for?• A reflective roof to help lower

the temperature, usually about 100 degrees.

• How does it work?• The roof reflects the sunlight

and helps it “bounce back”. this way the heat won't be captured in the roof, and the roof will stay cooler.  

• What does it replace?• shingle roof

• Costs?• about $5,000 but $225-$250 per

square.

Active Solar Heating (hot water)

• What is it used for?• Uses solar energy to heat fluids, like

for showers or washing machine.• How does it work?

• Solar panels harness energy from the sun and then uses that energy to heat water, solar energy can be used immediately or stored for later usage

•What does it replace?• A conventional water heater

• Costs?• Water bills can be as low as $5.00.

Active solar heating is around $3,000 to buy, when conventional can be up to $6,000.

Straw Bale Insulation

• What is it used for?• Uses straw bales, which are considered

waste by farmers, covered in earthen or lime stucco to provide a lower-cost alternative to highly insulated walls..

• How does it work?• Tightly packed straw bales covered in

plaster are used as the structure of the home.Some fear it might be a fire hazard because straw is flammable, but because it is so tightly packed, fire resistance triples since there is no oxygen in the insulation.

• What does it replace?• Traditional insulation (for example,

spray insulation)• Costs?

• About $1,350 for 500 straw bales (enough for an average house)