Is it even possible to find a self-sufficient prefab house to go green with?
Specht Harpman architects thinks so with their new zeroHouse. This beautiful design has all the modern conveniences that many have grown to be accustom to, but in a fully green way.
The zeroHouse is a small, prefabricated house that can easily be shipped and quickly erected. It features a full kitchen, bath, and all elements necessary to comfortably support four adults. What sets the zeroHouse apart from other prefabricated structures on the market, however, is its ability to operate independently, without the need for any external utility or waste disposal connections.
Is it Functional? I sure think so…
High-efficiency solar panels produce power and store it in an onboard bank of batteries. Fully charged, zeroHouse can operate continuously for up to one week with no sunlight at all. A rainwater collection plane gathers and diverts water into an elevated 2700 gallon cistern. All plumbing fixtures are gravity-fed, eliminating the need for power-consuming pumps. All organic waste is processed in a digester unit located beneath the house. It converts the waste into clean, dry compost that needs to be removed only twice a year. All functions of the house are monitored by an array of sensors and regulated by a “house brain” that can be controlled through any laptop computer. zeroHouse is fully customizable for personal usage patterns, from the weekend getaway to extended-stay living.
How about Comfort?
Each house features a fully-appointed living room with modular wraparound couch, 42″ LCD TV, and ample built-in storage. The kitchen has a full array of high-efficiency appliances, including an induction cooktop, microwave oven, and full-size refrigerator. Upstairs, a covered deck provides the perfect rooftop perch for outdoor living. Two bedrooms come furnished with king-size beds, window seats, and large closets. The bathroom, which features a large shower, full vanity, and a porcelain low-flush toilet, opens onto its own private sun-deck with outdoor shower and lounge chairs.
Finally the Versatility of the zeroHouse…
The zeroHouse can be located almost anywhere. Two flatbed trucks carry all the zeroHouse components to the site, and it can be erected in less than a day. It can be installed in places that would unsuitable for standard construction including water up to ten feet deep, or on slopes of up to thirty-five degrees. In many locations, the zeroHouse will produce electrical power in excess of what is required to operate the house. This excess energy can be used to operate any number of remote devices including the charging of electric or hybrid vehicles.
If you are looking for something like this, then get more details over at the website – http://www.zerohouse.net
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