What They Have To Say
“When I told him what our heating and cooling costs were (using a geo-exchange system with propane backup), he thought I was joking. When he realized
I was serious, he didn't know what to say. I don't think many people realize that a house of such character that can function this well is available and
within reach of just about anyone who has the means to build a house.”
(South facing windows, geothermal heat pump, Energy Heel Roof Truss)
John
Mesa, CO
Energy Efficiency
“The seven windows in the living room all face south and in the winter admit the sun’s heat which turns off the heater in the central part of the day. The generous
overhang keeps the sun out during the summer- a very satisfactory arrangement. Each time the gas company sends out a bill, they include a chart comparing our
consumption with their average customer. Always, our consumption is just half the average.”
(Passive solar design, energy efficient windows, Energy Upgrade package)
Ed B.
Holcombe, NY
“We set out to make our new home more energy efficient… Financially and environmentally it is one of the best things you can do. Most of the things we have invested
in will pay us back in 10 years.”
(Solar power, Passive solar design, low-E argon gas windows, Energy Upgrade package, energy efficient appliances, water saving fixtures, energy efficient lighting)
Yosh S.
Millerton, NY
“I really wanted to be as unobtrusive and to disturb the forest as little as possible, as the beauty and silence of the forest was the reason I wanted to live there.
In spite of having all glass on almost every panel it is easy to keep warm in the winter with my woodstove. In the summer all the windows are open and it feels like
I am living with the outside inside.”
(South facing passive solar design, minimized site disturbance, extended overhang, energy package with foam board and Typar wrap,
energy efficient windows)
Kristina S.
Marshall, NC
“With the energy efficient options we chose, coupled with the natural energy efficiency of the Deltec design, it is now mid late June and we have not yet turned on
the air conditioning!”
(Hardi-Plank siding, extended overhang, radiant heat shield in roof, south facing windows and deck)
Rick N.
Brevard, NC
“First, I must say I absolutely love our Deltec. One of the many reasons is the low utility bills. Our Deltec is twice the size of the old house and yet the
utility bills are half as much-even including our in-ground swimming pool running all summer. Equally exciting is the fact that our house is so comfortable.
Each room feels the same all year round. We don't have any space heaters or window AC units helping things along like we did in the old Victorian. I didn't
think a house this comfortable existed until I lived in a Deltec.”
(South facing passive solar design, Marvin Integrity windows, Energy Upgrade Package, native stone exterior)
Paul R.
Saxonburg, PA
“I might add my utilities are generally less than my previous home ( 3 bdrm. Ranch style home in Camanche IA. 10 mi south of my present home & we have 1200 ft. per floor X 3, plus entrance foyer, and a heated 2 car garage.”
Bob L.
Clinton, IA
“I'm heating my home with two very small Pelonis HC-461- 1500w electric heaters. Believe it or not, they heat my home very well, 68-72 degrees depending on how cold it gets, last month my heating bill was under $64.00!!!”
Craig S.
Latrobe, PA
“The ideal advantage of the Deltec design to utilize the winter sunshine long-fall rays to heat our upstairs to about 85 degrees F, circulated by two ceiling fans, so we do not need to even heat the downstairs inside garden area of another 1,800 square feet. The summer short-fall rays keep our upstairs cool June - September.”
Doug and Audrey S.
Buena Vista, CO
“We upgraded the basic house to 10 foot high walls with 6” thickness and are very pleased that we did so. We also added extra insulation which has provided exceptional heating savings — of course, all those windows on the west side helped with thermal heat from the sun.”
Jim and Anne M.
Balsam, NC
“And I want to add that we have just gone through our first winter up here. I can't believe how tight this house is, and how it weathers the local winds which are occasionally pretty 'interesting'.”
Joseph R.
Lake Isabella, CA
“In spite of having all glass on almost every panel it is easy to keep warm in the winter with my woodstove. In the summer all the windows are open and it feels like I am living with the outside inside, up in the trees with the squirrels and the birds. The cross breezes serve beautifully as an air conditioner.”
Katrina S.
Marshall, NC
“Our electric bills ranged from $120 to $250. After taking building classes for this area specifically, we have realized a huge savings on our electric bill. Our Deltec plus the wing and stairs are almost 4000 sq feet (around 3 times the size of our old house) and our electric bill averages around $120 - $130 a month (we are all electric AND that is running a water well and a septic system!”)
Doug and Kim M.
Magnolia, TX
