Solar Power

In reality, there is no energy shortage. There is enough solar energy contained in the sunlight that reaches the earth to heat and light our entire world. You can take full advantage of this fact by incorporating solar heating and solar panels in your home in Hickory Nut Forest.

Water Power

By taking water upstream and running it through a pipe to a micro hydro generator below, the drop in elevation creates pressure that spins the turbine and makes hydro electricity. A mountain stream, such as we enjoy at Hickory Nut Forest, that flows quickly and drops rapidly, is ideal for producing hydro electric power. This source of renewable energy also works 24/7, and the greater the flow of water, the more hydro power produced.

Wind Power
Wind turbines have come a long way since the days of the early windmills. Today’s wind generators are high-tech propellers that range in size from small ones for a single home up to large towers producing enough electricity for a small town. Hickory Nut Forest is located in a natural gorge flanked by peaks with high wind currents, and we plan to erect a small wind turbine to utilize this source of clean, renewable energy.

Geothermal Energy
Geothermal heating and cooling takes advantage of the earth’s constant temperature of 50-60 degrees down more than 10 feet below the surface. By pumping water below ground level and re-circulating it up into a green-built home, Hickory Nut Forest homeowners could use the groundwater temperature as a starting point for both heating and cooling. This means it takes less energy to raise the temperature up to what is needed to heat the radiant floors. In summer, residents could run this water into the floors to create a cooling effect. It is possible to achieve this same effect using air and geothermal heat pumps.

Wood Sustainably
In addition to the heat from the sun via solar thermal hot water panels, two other heating options are possible at Hickory Nut Forest.
Since dead wood is plentiful, residents could use this wood energy source without cutting down any trees. To bypass the challenge smoke and soot that is released by the burning process, residents could use a wood gasification heater that burns wood at a very high temperature of nearly 1800 degrees, with almost no smoke or CO2 emission. The heat produced is then transferred to water pipes and stored for later heating

Conserving Energy
The final element of achieving a zero-energy house is energy conservation. Every kilowatt and BTU saved is one less to make. Imagine saving energy in your green-built home by with super-insulated walls that keep the heat in the house instead of letting it leak out. Envision thermal mass floors and stone chimneys to absorb heat from the sun, and give it up slowly at night. High efficiency appliances and natural daylighting save electricity. Natural ventilation reduces air conditioning costs. Shutters and thermal screens on windows can prevent heat loss. When it comes to conserving energy, insulation, solar heating, daylighting and natural ventilation are all important.