HICKORY – The public is invited to celebrate with homeowner Frances Thompson Oct. 6 as she prepares to move into North Carolina’s first Zero Energy Home (ZEH), constructed by Catawba Valley Habitat for Humanity with the help of the Appalachian State University Energy Center and N.C. State Energy Office.
The housewarming event at 446 S. Center St. begins at noon, followed by a workshop on Zero Energy Homes at 1 p.m. The public is invited to both events.
Completed in Fall 2005, the home has served as both a research facility and as the local office for Habitat for Humanity. Appalachian students regularly conduct research on the home to monitor its energy usage, and systems performance.
The home combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available, renewable energy systems. With its reduced energy needs and solar energy systems, a ZEH can return as much energy as it takes from the utility grid on an annual basis.
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