Green Project of the Week: California Green House
Robert Fortunato’s Green Idea House in Hermosa Beach, Calif., has been producing more energy than it consumes for over a decade. He remodeled his family’s 1959 house into a 2,150-square-foot, environmentally friendly home.
“It’s one of the first net-zero energy, zero carbon case study houses that was built for less cost than standard construction,” said Fortunato.
To replace gas and to supply electricity in his home, he installed 26 solar panels on the roof that generate all the electricity the house uses, plus enough for two electric cars.
One of the home’s features is the flat roof, extending five feet over the front of the house while hiding the solar panels. The overhang saves 60% of the home’s energy when it comes to heating and cooling. In the summer, it shades the southwest-facing house when the sun is higher in the sky.
“And then in the wintertime, the sun rises low in the sky across the horizon,” said Fortunato. And the sun goes into the windows and actually heats up the house for free.”
Photo Credit: Jeff Brady
