Residential Photovoltaic & Heat Pump System- SE, GT
This system is unobtrusively mounted on the roof of a scenic home by the Saint John River, in a clearing that allows the sun to reach the panels at all points throughout the day. The system, which was installed in August of 2016, features 6 solar panels for a total capacity of 2.84kW, and the owner says he is interested in expanding his system. To prepare for this, he purchased an inverter that can handle up to 6kW capacity – more than double the current capacity. To keep track of the system’s electricity generation the owner uses the NB Power …
Ground Source Heat Pump in Woodstock- GT
The owner has Asthma and finds the air quality very good thanks to the efficient Heat Recovery Ventilator, airtight construction, and the Ground Source Heat Pump. R-2000 insulation, insulated concrete forms, and advanced framing allow for more insulation (R-30 value). The home is certified R-2000 and the owner claims the extra costs paid for themselves in 6-7 years and has achieved an Energuide rating of 86. The 16-year-old heat pump was recently replaced. The new heat pump cost $13000 and he should receive $3250 in grants from Efficiency New Brunswick and the former Federal ecoENERGY program. Their power bills are …
Crossfire Masonry Heater in Woodstock- BE
The owner built the fireplace around an existing home; he says it would have been much easier to build the house around the fireplace. The owner went from 5 cords of hardwood to burning 2 cords of soft wood and scraps, but in addition to the house was also completed during the same time period. Because the heat lasts for so long, less time/labour is spent filling the fireplace with wood. The owner decided that a masonry heater would best suit his needs, after looking at several different types they decided on the Crossfire 950-kg (2100-lb.) insert (Model number CF-2100-BO). …
Geothermal Heat Pump in North Lake- GT
Upon buying a new house the owners decided to replace the existing electric heaters with a more efficient Ground Source Heat Pump. They also added spray foam with an R value of 18 to the basement walls to reduce heat loss. A Heat Recovery Ventilator was also added to remove heat from stale air exiting the home and preheat the air entering the Ground Source Heat Pump. All of the above helps the home achieve an ENERguide rating of 88. The Ground Source Heat Pump provides space heating/cooling as well as domestic hot water heating for the 439 m2 home. The heat …
Geothermal in Burtts Corner- GT, BE
After the first winter, the owners wanted to reduce their energy bills. The first winter cost them $4,200 with an oil furnace. After the installation of the water source heat pump their heating bills dropped to $1,100 a year, even after adding over 305 square metres of living space and cooling in the summer. The owner was told that his well would have sufficient flow to meet the 18 litres/minute the heat pump needed. When the heat pump was first started it ran the well dry so they had to drill the well down another 9 metres (total depth of …
Solar Panels in Perth Andover- SE
The owner wanted to reduce his dependency on grid electricity with a grid tied solar system, he also wanted to build his own tracking system so the photovoltaic system would always be facing the sun. Building the solar tracking system took over a year and a half and hundreds of hours of researching, but saved thousand of dollars in the process. The solar tracker uses sensors and motors to ensure the array is always pointing at the sun, which increases the output. The owner is looking for a heavy duty motor to rotate the array. He is using ten 205 W …
Passive Solar in Knowlesville- BE, PE
This family lived off-grid for a number of years, relying on batteries and a generator for their electricity, and learning how to conserve it. It was found that this was fairly high-maintenance and, as the home owner aged, it was decided to get grid electricity to help meet some of the lighting, appliance, and computer/internet needs. …
Earth Berm Home with Masonry Heater in Mazerolle Settlement- BE
This 110 m2 (1200 sq. ft.), 2-bedroom home was built with energy efficiency in mind. The owner constructed the home within the specifications of R-2000, which was difficult because local contractors were unfamiliar with this at the time of construction (1984). The home was very air tight and well insulated. It was built 1.2 m (4′) into the ground, so as to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter (though it has higher humidity as a result) — the owners find it very comfortable to live in. …
Geothermal & Solar Hot Water in Edmundston- GT, SE
This apartment owner has decided that ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are an excellent investment, and the right environmental choice for lowering emissions. Since GSHPs work best in larger structures, such as this 26-unit, 2044 m2 (22000 sq. ft.) apartment complex, this building is ideally suited for such a system. Also, combined with the fact that this GSHP also integrates solar hot water (SHW), the system is very cost effective as a result, and easily meets all of the building’s heating and cooling needs throughout the year. …
Solar Hot Water in Upper Kent- SE
An R-2000 home! This self-installed solar hot water system (using propylene glycol) provides both domestic hot water and space heating through an in-floor heating system in the garage and house. The owner had originally considered installing oil to provide this heat, however, after looking at installation costs and the ongoing rising cost of oil, solar thermal was considered instead. They are very happy with their choice to go solar. …
