2009 Energy Use Data

ELECTRIC

2006 Energy Model Estimate

10,406 kWh (12,855 kWh per year minus 2,522 solar)
$1,457
.14/kWh

2009 Actual
6,786 kWh
$1,177.49
.17/kWh average (first 100 kWh at $8.36)

Monthy Usage (Central Maine Power)

-2009-
Jan - 699 kWh
Feb - 879 kWh
Mar - 493 kWh
Apr - 551 kWh
May - 611 kWh
June - 535 kWh
July - 455 kWh
Aug - 307 kWh
Sept - 419 kWh
Oct - 479 kWh
Nov - 545 kWh
Dec - 813 kWh

Total: 6,786 kWh

PROPANE
2006 Energy Model Estimate
$1,900 per year
$2.25/gallon
846 gallons

2009 Totals
$1,690
$2.89/gallon average
584.9 gallons

2009 Deliveries
Jan 23 - 190.5
Feb 13 - 77.4
March 5 - 114.5
Oct 22 - 109.2
Dec 14 - 93.3

Total: 584.9 gallons

WOOD

2006 Energy Model Estimate

$34 per year
$150/cord

2009 Actual

$175 annual
$175/cord
1 cord

2009 ANNUAL COST
$3,042 - annual electric, wood & propane cost
$253.50 - average monthly

Solar Performance

6 Month Solar Production

1,150 kWh produced from May 14-Nov 14, 2009 (per inverter)
2.4 kW photovoltaic solar grid tied electric array

Important to note that according to NOAA, Portland, Maine had 22.31 inches of rainfall this summer -- June, July and August -- while the average is 9.65. This broke the record set in 1991 of 19.04 inches.

Photo Credit: Solar PV and Apricus solar thermal panels, Richard Renner Architects

CMP Data for 6 Months

May - 611 kWh (305 half month)
June - 535 kWh
July - 455 kWh
Aug - 307 kWh
Sept - 419 kWh
Oct - 479 kWh
Nov -  545 kWh (272 half month)
Total: 2,772 kWh

Total 6 Month kWh Usage (approx.)

1,500 kWh solar production
plus
2,772 kWh from CMP
Totals:
4,272 kWh - 6 month usage May 14-Nov 14, 2009
8,544 kWh - approx. annual usage

Solar Savings 

Note: These figures are both general and approximate.
250 kWh average per month solar power produced
30 percent of monthly usage on average
$42.50 per month saved (.17/kWh average x 250 kWh)

Total: $510 saved annually ($42.50 x 12)

2008-2009 Energy Use Data

ELECTRIC

2006 Energy Model Electric Estimate

10,406 kWh (12,855 kWh per year minus 2,522 solar PV input)
$1,457 or .14/kWh

2008-2009 Actual

6,479 kWh used May 2008 to April 2009
$1,050 approx, averaging $87.50/month and .16/kWh

Graphs provided by Revision Energy

Monthy Usage (Central Maine Power)

-2008-
May - 429 kWh
June - 313 kWh
July - 336 kWh
Aug - 218 kWh
Sept - 395 kWh
Oct - 594 kWh
Nov - 682 kWh
Dec - 890 kWh
-2009-
Jan - 699 kWh
Feb - 879 kWh
Mar - 493 kWh
Apr - 551 kWh
Total: 6,479 kWh

Primary Electric Loads

- All house water filtration system
- Water pump
- Radon mitigation system
- Lifebreath air treatment system
- Ventilation fans in bathrooms, kitchen and garage
- Washer/dryer, range, dishwasher, 3 computers, lights

PROPANE

2006 Energy Model Propane Estimate

$1,900 per year
$2.25/gallon
846 gallons

2008-2009 Actual

$2,194
$2.89/gallon average
760 gallons used Nov 13, 2008 - Oct 22, 2009

Graphs provided by Revision Energy

Suburban Propane Deliveries

2008
Nov 13 - 175.7
Dec 26 - 92.7
2009
Jan 23 - 190.5
Feb 13 - 77.4
March 5 - 114.5
Oct 22 - 109.2

Propane Use

- Buderus boiler for radiant floor heating and domestic hot water
- Heating space - 3,200 square feet (minus that we closed off and did not heat the master bed and bath over the garage in winter)

WOOD

2006 Energy Model Wood Estimate

$34 per year
$150/cord

2008-2009 Actual

$150
$175/cord
3/4 cord used October 2008 - September 2009

Wood Use

- Wood burning stove with forced air fan in living room

Photo Credit: Fireplace, Doug Jones, Portland Press Herald

2008-2009 ANNUAL COST
$3,550 - electric, wood & propane, 2008-2009
$296 - average monthly

About Cranberry Ridge

Photo Credit: Cranberry Ridge exterior, © meyersphoto.com


This blog is intended for sharing information about the Cranberry Ridge Platinum LEED house in Freeport, Maine.

Cranberry Ridge is the fourth home in the country to receive Platinum LEED designation and the first in the Northeast. Located on 2.62 acres in the woods near Wolfe's Neck State Park in Freeport. LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a national measurement system that awards points to high performance buildings that exceed building codes.

The house's green features include:

• 2.4 kW photovoltaic solar electric array
• a 90 Apricus evacuated tube solar hot water system
• low-flow fixtures and appliances
• cabinet door panels made of pressed sunflower seeds
• local Maine granite used for the counters
• wood floors made from Forest Stewardship Council certified birch
• doors with compressed wheat hull cores
• ceramic floor and bath tiles made from recycled car windshields
• south-facing triple glazed windows and siting for passive solar
• sprayed-on recycled newspaper insulation and rock wool instead of fiberglass
• radiant heat floors and efficient Buderus boiler
  
• glass-doored fireplace with fan
  
• Lifebreath air treatment and ventilation system
• furniture from local companies
• patios made from flagstone instead of treated wood 
• low impact landscaping 

Photo Credit: Granite counters, and sunflower seed cabinets, Doug Jones, Portland Press Herald

LEED Design Features

LEED homes receive points for the following considerations:

Site

• Limit site disturbance
• Minimize development footprint
• Minimize impervious surfaces
• Landscape with native plants
• Limit or eliminate use of potable water for irrigation
• Increase water use efficiency

Building

• Maximize desirable solar orientation
• High performance envelope
• Test integrity of building envelope

Energy

• Use renewable energy (photovoltaics and solar hot water)
• Reduce or eliminate use of CFCs in HVAC and refrigeration equipment
• Model and improve energy performance
• Provide natural, non-mechanical ventilation system
• Provide heat recovery ventilation system
• Maximize daylighting
• Exterior sunshades
• High performance lighting system

Materials

• Use materials with recycled content
• Use durable materials and easily maintained finishes
• Use sustainably harvested wood

Indoor Air Quality

• Increase ventilation effectiveness
• Use low VOC materials
• Operable windows

Links

US Green Building Council