Deltec launches line of super efficient, net-zero energy homes – starting under 100K

A company in Asheville, North Carolina is taking <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/prefabricated-design" target="_blank">prefabricated home design</a> to a new level with their <a href="http://www.deltechomes.com/renew-collection/" target="_blank">Renew Collection</a> of affordable net-zero energy houses. While <a href="http://www.deltechomes.com" target="_blank">Deltec</a> made a name for themselves with round hurricane-resistant homes, now the company has amped up the energy efficiency by two thirds with their latest home collection, in response to the increasing demand for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/net-zero-energy" target="_blank">net-zero energy</a> housing. And these new 'Renew' homes aren't just super energy efficient -- they generate their own energy with photovoltaic solar power and solar water heating, and are surprisingly affordable, with kits starting under 100K. There are currently 9 new models in the <a href="http://www.deltechomes.com" target="_blank">Renew Collection</a>, each designed to satisfy a variety of different needs and tastes.

Deltec Homes was <a href="http://www.deltechomes.com/learn-more/about-us/">founded in 1968 in Asheville, North Carolina</a> as a builder of hurricane-resistant homes - primarily for resort communities. When visitors to those coastal resorts kept contacting the company to build custom round homes for them, they decided to transition into residential development, rebranding in 1985.

We've covered <a href="http://inhabitat.com/why-our-ancestors-built-round-houses-and-why-it-still-makes-sense-to-build-round-structures-today/">why round homes are wind and seismic resistant here</a>: the round shape with obtuse angles is structurally more stable, with better wind and load resistance than a rectangular shape. Factory-precise prefabrication with tightly engineered beams and joints also make Deltec's round homes sturdy and more high-performance than a traditional stick-built home.

Seeing an increasing demand for energy-efficient homes, Deltec decided to launch a collection of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/net-zero-home/">net-zero</a> <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/passive-house/">passive homes</a> with a smaller energy footprint, called the <a href="http://www.deltechomes.com/renew-collection/">Renew Collection</a>. In order to achieve <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/net-zero/">net-zero energy</a> independence, these homes have not only active photovoltaic solar power - but each house is designed with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/passive-solar-design/">passive solar principles</a> in mind in order to create a home with very small energy demands.

The Renew Collection makes use of traditional <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/passive-design/">passive design</a> concepts such as tight building envelope, high-performance insulation, solar home orientation, natural ventilation and solar shading, to minimize heat solar heat gain in the summer, and to maximize insulation and solar heat gain in the winter. With very low energy needs, the <a href="http://www.deltechomes.com/renew-collection/">Renew Homes</a> can be completely powered through a photovoltaic solar array, thus achieving Net Zero energy.

We were excited to see that <a href="http://www.deltechomes.com/renew-collection/solar-homestead/">Deltec teamed up with Appalachian State University</a> to mass-produce their award-winning Solar Decathlon home design, which we covered <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon-appalachian-state-universitys-solar-homestead-is-a-net-zero-homage-to-the-regions-settlers/">here in 2011</a>. The Solar Homestead joins six modules into one harmonious living space, outfitted with bifacial photovoltaic panels on a grand porch and terrace roof.

The Solar Homestead is a net-zero home in Deltec's 'Renew Collection' of solar-powered homes. Deltec Homes teamed up with Appalachian State University to transform a former Solar Decathlon prefab home design into an attractive, flexible, and livable new net-zero home that's ready to hit the market.

In order to achieve net-zero energy, the nine prefabricated Renew house models can be equipped with a solar hot water heater and solar electric kit that makes it easy for homeowners to install a photovoltaic array. Depending on where the home is erected, it may be possible to sell excess power back to the grid, essentially resulting in a plus-energy home. Further adding to their eco-credentials, Deltec Homes prefabricates all of their houses in factories that are 100 percent powered by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/clean-energy" target="_blank">clean energy</a> and diverts an average of 80 percent of construction waste from the landfill.

Deltec's Aster Home incorporates a traditional shotgun house design with a porch and an optional timber-framed pavilion. <br> A variety of extras are available in the <a href="http://www.deltechomes.com/renew-collection/">Renew Collection</a>, including pre-painted siding, porch and deck packages and pre-installed windows. Even with the new upgrades, costs run at roughly $150 to $200 per square foot for a completed Deltec Home. While this may not be attainable for all people, existing homeowners may be kicking themselves right about now, especially since the house of the future will almost certainly be expected to achieve this kind of superior energy independence.

The Cypress is a net-zero home in Deltec's 'Renew Collection' of solar-powered homes. Cypress is a modern and highly energy-efficient interpretation of the classic southern home with 9-foot ceilings downstairs and a deep covered porch for summer shading. <br> Deltec Homes can ship a shell of one of their prefab houses anywhere in the world, leaving a lot of room for creativity once it reaches its final destination. Some homeowners may choose to complete the buildout themselves or hire a local builder to do it for them. With the new efficiency standards in place - achieved with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/passive-solar-design">passive solar design</a>, an air-tight envelope, and double the required insulation - Deltec Homes are said to require two thirds less energy than a comparable conventional stick-built house.

The Ridgeline is a net-zero home in Deltec's 'Renew Collection' of solar-powered homes. It incorporates passive solar design and an abundance of south-facing glass for daylighting. <br> Deltec constantly works to improve their designs, which come with two floor plan options for each model (except for the Ridgeline, which has four with a footprint of up to 2126 square feet for those looking for a more substantial living space), and the company strives to add three new models to their repertoire each year.

The Chestnut is a net-zero home in Deltec's 'Renew Collection' of solar-powered homes. This classic home with 21st century performance features an open floor plan and large porch, merging the interior with the outdoors.

A renewable energy re-boot of the Classic Deltec design, the Rhododendron boasts all the durability and efficiency of a round home, with solar power and supreme energy efficiency to boot!

The Trillium is a net-zero home in Deltec's 'Renew Collection' of solar-powered homes. A combination of Deltec's round and traditional square home, Trillium is a double story solar cottage with south facing glass, an open living area and spacious bedrooms.

Classic Deltec homes feature a self-supporting roof system, eliminating the need for load-bearing walls, and allowing for greater customization. The round shape optimizes surrounding views to bring the outdoors in.

Round, completely customizable Classic Deltec homes can be tailored to reach any level of energy efficiency. The round shape of the structure makes it extremely wind-resistant, therefore this is a great resilient design for hurricane and tornado regions.

Classic Deltec homes can be customized to include solar electric kits, fresh air ventilation systems, solar hot water kits, deck and porch package, garages and carports, and much more.

The company is based in Asheville, North Carolina, and all of their homes are prefabricated in factories run entirely on renewable energy.

Master bedroom of a stunning Deltec Home.

Deltec Homes come in round, modern or traditional shapes.

This home demonstrates a creative use of interior materials.

This home boasts an abundance of natural light.

When purchasing a Deltec home, buyers have many options to choose from - including pre-fitted windows.