Duke University Smart House
Project Description: The Home Depot Smart Home is a 6,000 square foot live-in research laboratory operated by Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. Designed to model innovative and efficient residential building technologies, the structure incorporates a wide range of smart and sustainable systems. See the Duke Smarthome site for more information.
From the green roof that functions as an integral part of the rainwater harvesting system to photovoltaic electrical generation, the highest standards have been incorporated into the design, and have resulted in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certification by the US Green Building Council.
K-FLEX™ ECO was used for insulating the solar thermal system that provides the home with domestic hot water. K-Flex™ ECO is halogen-free and is ideal in applications where temperatures of up 300°F can be reached.
The system consists of five 4 X 10 flat plate collectors manufactured by AET, a 20-gallon drainback tank, a 120-gallon Vaughn Solar Sepco storage tank, and a 120-gallon Vaughn indirect water heater. The system is expected to produce an average of 200,000 Btus of clean energy per day, resulting in great fuel savings and a reduction of the building’s carbon footprint.
Sundance Power Systems, Inc.
Located just outside of Asheville, NC, Sundance Power Systems, Inc. serves residential and commercial clients in the Southeast with the highest quality of Renewable Energy and Radiant Floor heating systems. Founded in 1995, Sundance extends over a decade of service, providing value through the design and installation of close to 1,000 systems, specializing in solar hot water, solar electric (photovoltaic), wind & hydroelectric systems.
Made in the USA, K-FLEX™ ECO is halogen-free, closed-cell, elastomeric insulation. Green in color and marked in gold ink, it is available in tube and sheet form. Tube sizes range from 3/8" inside diameter to 8" iron pipe size in 1/2", 3/4" and 1" wall thickness. Sheets and rolls are available in 1/2", 3/4" and 1" thickness.
Click here for more info on the ECO line of products.