This originally off-grid solar home located near Lovingston Virginia was later connected to the utility grid, but the extremely low energy requirements of these homeowners allowed them to continue using only solar power most of the year, and the grid power for backup. A Trace 4 kW sinewave inverter and pre-wired power panel is located in the ground floor utility room, and is connected to a battery bank located in an adjoining insulated battery enclosure just outside the back door.
A separate 24 volt DC circuit breaker panel provides power to a kitchen SunFrost DC refrigerator/Freezer and low voltage lighting fixtures throughout the house. AC power supplied by the inverter is used primarily for the microwave, television, stereo, home office computer and printer. Due to the high elevation of this home, no air conditioning or central air handling unit is required. Winter heating is primarily by a wood stove.
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