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 …
The Terra Berma Project – Sustainable Off Grid Living- BE, GT, SE
Along the tip of the Kingston Peninsula, the Terra Berma Project is a sustainable living project that demonstrates off-grid living doesn’t need mean compromising comfort. Constructed over 5 years using primarily using recycled tires and cob (a natural building material made from subsoil, water, some kind of fibrous organic material), the home was built out from the side of a hill using rammed earth techniques. The combination of building materials and lack of exposed walls means that the house is very well insulated. Ceiling insulation comes from a green roof, on the top of the split-story. The hill faces south …
Geothermal in Little Shemogue- GT
A vertical-style geothermal heat pump was installed when the house was built, in 1993. At the time, the cost of the unit was approximately $4000 while the drilling of a second well (called the return well) was an additional $3000. The system served both as a source of heat in the cooler months and acted as air conditioning in the summer. In 2008, the initial heat pump was replaced by a newer model because it was a challenge for the owners to find skilled technicians who knew how to service the older heat pump. In order to qualify for funding, …
Geothermal in Sackville- GT
The owners installed a 4.5 t (5 ton) geothermal system with horizontal tubing in 2007 when the two oil furnaces heating their large, older home were reaching the end of their lifespan. At that time, there were federal and provincial rebates available for homeowners who were installing geothermal systems. This reduced the overall cost of the installation to roughly $12000. The owners opted for a horizontal geothermal field instead of a vertical field because it was both cheaper and their yard was spacious enough to fit the tubing needed for a 4.5-t (5-ton) system. The installers dug trenches 2 m (7′) deep in …
Solar Panels on Roof, Sackville, NB- 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. …
Air to Air Heat Pump in Knowlesville- PS
This 2-bedroom bungalow in Knowlesville, NB, is heated and cooled by a 350 W (1200 BTU/h) air-to-air heat pump. The move from wood to 2 heat pump units has greatly improved the efficiency of the home plus adding cooling capacity for the summer. Both heat pumps are manufactured by Fujitsu. The system is well sized for the house. She found that the installation was done quickly and professionally. Her heating, cooling and electricity needs are being met for approximately $1599/year, less than when she had the wood stove. …
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 …
