Duncan House

486 W.N. Woody Road
Azle TX 76020

Tour Hours: 10am - 4pm

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We decided years before we built our new Wise County home in 2009 that we wanted it to be super energy efficient but it had to be affordable. Both goals were met.

Building an energy efficient home made the solar PV an even better investment and our low monthly electric bills confirm it. Now our monthly operating costs are lower than most homes simply because our electric bill averages less than $50 per month all year.

 

Renewable energy features

Solar PV

kW 2.7
Installation Date : 2009
Installer: North Texas Renewable Energy Inc.

Equipment

2 Wattsun trackers 2 axis, 18-150W Isofoton modules, SMA 3800W inverter.

 

Green features:

  • Grid-tied solar photovoltaic generation system
  • 2x6 frame construction with spray foam insulation on 100% of the shell
  • Daikin R410A split-mini heat pump with 3 zones of separate heat/cool control
  • Passive solar design & construction
  • Compact fluorescent and LED lighting
  • Integrated awnings on the east & west windows to reduce sun penetration
  • Full 70 ft southern exposure shaded with 7’ porch
  • Emphasis on natural lighting
  • Cross-ventilation with clerestory windows
  • Rainwater collection system [proposed]
  • Demand water heater, propane fueled
  • 80 gal Marathon high efficiency electric water heater
  • Wood construction waste recycled
  • 3 Sola-Tubes ©
  • Standing seam metal roof
  • Solar powered well pumping for irrigation
  • Sustainable produce farming

 

Host Comments

(Home Owner)
We decided years before we built our new Wise County home in 2009 that we wanted it to be super energy efficient but it had to be affordable. Both goals were met. Building an energy efficient home made the solar PV an even better investment and our low monthly electric bills confirm it. The only downer is that our electric co-op, Tri-County Electric charges us a $12.00 per month penalty for the ‘privilege’ of connecting to their grid. In spite of that, our monthly operating costs are lower than most homes simply because our electric bill averages less than $60 per month all year.

Please note the City of Azle is actually about 7-8 miles away, it’s our “address” only because that’s the nearest post office. We actually are in the rural Community of Briar. Please, for your owns safety, stay away from the electric fence!