Epoch Homes To Build Solar Decathlon House That Generates More Energy Than it Uses

June 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Epoch Homes is working with two Massachusetts colleges, the Massachusetts College of Art and Design Department of Architecture and the University of Massachusetts Lowell College of Engineering who are working together as “Team Massachusetts” to develop the 2011 Solar Decathlon 4D Home. The home will be a 1,000 square-foot house for a family of three that is powered by the sun. The 4D Home celebrates the New England vernacular and is designed to accommodate the many changes that all four seasons bring to Massachusetts. The Team is one of 20 university led teams from around the world taking part in the US Department of Energy sponsored competition.

Team Massachusetts chose Epoch Homes of Pembroke, NH to build the 4D house because of Epoch’s commitment to sustainable building practices, and their long history of custom Green homes. Epoch partnered with the Department of Energy in 1998 to build the Cambridge Co-Housing project, one of the first multi family projects in the country to be value engineered and sustainably built. Epoch went on to build the first LEED Platinum duplex in the country and continues to build some of the most sustainable custom homes in the country. Epoch Homes is the nation’s first Green Approved Modular factory by the NAHB Research Center.

“Our employees are very excited to be working with Team Massachusetts on the Solar Decathlon and to be a Leading Sponsor,” said Company CEO, John Ela. “Seeing the student’s enthusiasm as they push the sustainability design envelope is inspiring and provides a glimpse at the future of housing technology for the next generation.”

The 4D Home is designed to evolve with the changing needs of a family over the 4th dimension (time) by offering a flexible floor plan with movable interior walls.  The Green Prefab design is based upon the Passiv Haus standard. A Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, etc. Energy losses are minimized. Any remaining heat demand is provided by an extremely small source. During the shorter and colder months of winter, the 4-D Home will have a net negative energy balance. However, by taking advantage of summer’s high sun and long days, its photovoltaic panels will produce an abundance of electricity during that season. The result is a small yearly surplus. Also, the home is able to lower electricity consumption substantially by using a solar thermal system to meet 85% of the domestic hot water load.

Touring The 4D Decathlon House

There will be three opportunities to tour the Solar Decathlon house. The first is a presentation by Epoch Homes at the factory on July 9, 2011. A brief slide show on green building will be followed by a tour of the house on the production line. It will begin at 9:30 AM at Epoch Homes, 107 Sheep Davis Rd, Pembroke NH

The second opportunity will be in Boston in August. Details will be announced on the 4D website (http://4dhome.us/)

The final viewing will be at the Solar Decathlon event on the National Mall, Washington D.C., September 23 to October 2, 2011.

About Solar Decathlon

The Solar Decathlon has grown into one of the most highly anticipated design competitions ever held. Thousands of people visit the National Mall to see the potential of houses that combine affordability, energy-efficient construction and appliances, and renewable energy systems available today. The twenty houses from all over the globe will assemble in Washington D.C. on the National Mall September 23 to October 2, 2011. Visit http://www.solardecathlon.gov/ for more info on the competition.

About Epoch Homes

In 2011, Epoch Homes celebrates its 29th year of innovation, providing quality custom sustainable modular homes to discerning Builders and home owners. Epoch is the first modular home manufacturer in the nation to be certified under the Modular Green Approved program offered by the NAHB Research Center, and one of the first to offer homes designed to meet both the LEED for Homes Platinum level, and the National Green Building Standard. Epoch sells through a growing network of quality-oriented custom home builders across New England, NY and NJ.
For more information, please visit our web site at

http://www.epochhomes.com/contactus/4dSolar.htm

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Epoch Corporation is the leading manufacturer of high quality, fully custom designed modular homes, cottages and mansions. The award winning designs are sold through a network of independent builders located in upscale markets across the Northeast US