by Josh P. Crotzer
What it lacks in size, it makes up for with a powerfully intelligent punch.
Broad River Electric Cooperative’s tiny home display is so smart in fact, it’s already educated a group of high school students and is set to do the same for members of the cooperative.
Built by students at Cherokee County School District’s Institute of Innovation— under the leadership of building construction teacher and co-op member George Duncan—the 192-square-foot house is filled with state-of-the-art appliances and devices that demonstrate ways consumers can reduce their energy use.
“Previous classes had built tiny homes before, but this was new for us,” says Duncan. “It was a big leap for us to build a house that would feature all the technologies that Broad River wanted, so it was a great opportunity for our students.”
The home is powered by solar panels, a battery pack and a propane generator. Inside are some of the most energy- efficient appliances on the market, including a heat pump water heater, a single-unit washer/dryer combo and a ductless heating and air system. It also has an electric vehicle charger built in.
All these features are connected by a Wi-Fi-enabled smart electrical panel, which displays real-time energy use via a monitor on the homeowner’s mobile device. The home, which also has a cellular network connection, is built on a trailer, so that the co-op can take it to community events.
“We want to be able to show members all the potential ways they can control their electrical use,” says Wes Allsbrook, Broad River Electric’s vice president of engineering. “Even if they don’t have these particular appliances, they can still get an idea of how their appliances are using energy.”
That’s especially important since Broad River Electric has introduced a new rate structure that allows members to save on their bill by shifting their appliance use to times of the day when the price for electricity is lower.
Broad River Electric members got their first opportunity to see the house last month when it made its debut at the co-op annual meeting drive thru event. One of those members, Scott Anderson of Cowpens, stopped into the smart house after registering.
“We don’t have anything like this in our home because we haven’t had to replace any of our appliances in a while,” he says. “But this is good to see what is available and what you can do.”