Helios Net Zero Energy Solar Home

“Helios” was originally built as a passive solar home in 1984 and updated over the years so it is now a Net Zero energy home. Our passive solar design included a partially earth sheltered floor plan with a two story sunspace to buffer the conditioned spaces from the outside temperature. A solar thermal system was added to provide for half of our hot water needs, and later 38 solar panels were installed to accommodate most electrical requirements. Over several years we installed five low temperature ductless split system heat pumps which provide decentralized control of our heating and cooling. To also take care of the energy needs of our electric vehicle we purchased 10 solar panels in a local community solar garden.. So we now have 8.8 KW solar on site plus 3.4 KW solar off site to power all of our home and transportation energy needs.