Energetically Efficient Houses

Households must produce their own energy to operate the heater, air conditioner, water boiler and their light. Plus they should have additional energy to drive an electric car.

“This houses prove that we could built houses with less energy consumption not having to give up our current comfortable lifestyle”, said the ministry of energy, Samuel W. Bodman.

The competition was divided in 10 categories, including architecture, habitable, comfort, efficiency. Organizers had in mind solar houses linked to nature, using energy, sunlight and sun radiation, but at the same time they want them to take advantage from the most innovative technology.

The house built by the University of Colorado was able of “being bitten” as said by its creators. Plus, the energy used in this house is obtained from rejected oils and plants, an attempt to demonstrate one can live without oil, save energy and respect the environment.

There were also “fun” and “tailor made”, as the one presented by the Polytechnic University of Madrid that was able of modify the rooms of the house using a mobile panel system. This bioclimatic house feeds from photovoltaic solar energy, including typical elements of the mediterranean architecture, as patios, and the latest technology allowing it to be dismantled and carried.

Jesus Useda, vice-rector of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, said to EFE Agency that “This self-sufficient house has no plug-ins or outdoors connections, so there will be no need of paying a light bill”.

To capture solar energy, most of the buildings use batteries, but the construction of the Technology Institute of New York used a system that worked with hydrogen as fuel to produce electricity and heat as needed. Creators tried to “create micro comfort weathers inside the house”, as said by Mary Merges, interior designer.

Other constructions used proper materials to natural environment. The house from the International University of Florida, used hurricane resistant materials on stronger doors and windows.

Even though the global prize of the contests went to the University of Colorado, followed by Cornell University and Polytechnic University of California, none of the 18 projects was a waste: probably the house of the future will be very similar to what was seen this month at Washington D.C.

Solar Energy this on the verge of being our future today.

Share and Enjoy: