Salem house to be on national solar tour

In Salem, Iowa, the Hoyer home will be part of the American Solar Energy Society’s cross-country tour.

The tour visits buildings across the county that use energy-efficient procedures. The goal of the tour is to help people get a better understanding of energy-saving strategies.

The Hoyer’s home runs solely on electricity. Instead of using gas or propane for heat, it uses an air-to-air heat pump. The pump is also used as an air conditioner.

With a 6KW solar system, electricity is run throughout the house. The system is run through an Alliant net-metering program.

It’s one of four homes located in Iowa with a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index below 10. The house currently has a rating of six. It’s about double the Iowa Building Energy Code.

The house was built in 2018-2019. The 1,344-square-foot property has one main floor, including a walkout basement with an additional bedroom.

Steve Hoyer, who owns the property, said he was wary of the idea at first, but it has become an efficient choice in energy and money-saving.

“I was skeptical, but I have been happily surprised,” Hoyer said. “In mid-April, we received the final bill from Alliant for our first full 12-month net metering period. Our total bill for the year was less than $300, $418 with the monthly line charge. We are about at the same place in banked energy this year as last right now, so I believe that this will be typical.”

While the house is energy-efficient, it’s no different from a typical home. It has energy-star windows and appliances, with a slew of newer innovations.

The plan was to build an energy-efficient home, which wouldn’t cost any more than any other home.

The open house will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 2 and 3, allowing visitors to see what the house has to offer. People can RSVP at nationalsolartour.org/rsvp/.

Mary Hoyer designed the home. She will be available to give presentations on the house and how its energy strategies might apply to other homes. She can be contacted at hoyer.netzero@gmail.com.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com