The First-Ever Electrically Self-Sustaining Luxury Home is Here
More than a few people have been wondering if it is possible to live off the grid. Here we are talking about the electric power grid, which has both advantages and disadvantages. The type of home we are talking about is not some Spartan-like, minimal living space but an actual home that has all the modern conveniences – and more. The problem with most modern conveniences is they require power, often a lot of it. Now there is a company, S2A Modular, that can make the dream become a reality.
S2A offers modular homes, where they are built at their facility and then shipped to the location of your choice for the actual construction. That means you have to have a piece of property to put it on and all the necessary permit for the assembly. You also have to plan to spend about $165 per square foot for the self-sustaining home. These are the major hurdles for most people, so let’s move forward and see what you will get for your money.
Called the GreenLuxHome, the electricity comes from Tesla Powerwall storage technology and solar power. You do have the option to connect to your local power grid, but it is recommended that should only be used as a backup source of electricity. The home is completely powered by electricity, so heating your home will not be using natural gas, propane, or another other type of chemical source. Thus, not only is the Tesla powered home energy efficient, it is also environmentally friendly.
The technical term for this type of home is Net Zero engineered, which means that if you have extra power you don’t use, it may be possible to sell it to the electric company via the backup grid connection. It has the potential to be a continual source of passive income depending on where you live, and how much energy you consume.
But the GreenLuxHome is not only about energy efficiency. There are currently 35 different designs you can choose for your home floor plan. These are predesigned but you can hire a consultant who will work with you to design your custom home that will be delivered and constructed according to your specifications. Depending on your preferences, the home can be constructed and shipped in just 6 weeks for assembly.
People who go down this road will be able to choose from some of the best ecofriendly and energy efficient appliances available. In keeping with the company’s concept of environmental friendly there is the option of having interiors made of 100% recycled materials. Yet it is a modern living space, where many features can be controlled through your smartphone. One thing that separates an S2A modular home from the competition is their advanced designs and engineering that minimize the use of electricity while maximizing the use of available space.
So there is a way for you to live off of the power grid, but not necessarily the communication grid. When we talk about self-sustaining in the electricity sense of the term, it is something to be seriously considered given the issues of cyberterrorism that can actually shut down entire power grids. The availability of electrical power is an afterthought for most Americans, so having your own power grid simply makes a lot of sense, especially when there is the possibility of selling your extra back to the power company.
As far as the technology, the Tesla Powerwalls are being used around the world. In Greece they are experimenting with the technology that will supply entire islands with the combination of solar power and Powerwalls. Applying the same concept on a much smaller scale is both practical and affordable. Though $165 a square foot seems pricey, consider the long term savings you will have over a 10 or 20 year period by eliminating paying for electricity from the grid. We are not talking about minimal living conditions either. The homes are promoted as luxury homes because with the Powerwalls and a reasonable amount of sunlight every year, everything in the home can be powered for free. There are some questions about the viability of the GreenLuxHome in colder climates such as the New England states which require a substantial amount of heat during the harsh winters, but it is safe to say technology will also provide the answer to that concern.
Because the home is modular, you will be able to pack it up and move to a new location – for a cost, of course. This concept not only has the potential to choose whether we want to live on the power grid, but where we live. Land may become the next valuable commodity for homeowners, whether it is in an urban area or the top of a mountain.
