Tiny House, Big Vision
Students at Colorado School of Mines aim to maximize energy efficiency in model build
A student team at School of Mines in Golden, Colo., is designing and building a net-zero Tiny House using sustainable technology. Students majoring in engineering, physics and other areas of study have been building the ~200 square-foot house since summer 2016 on a 24'x8' trailer. Thanks to the generous support of community sponsors and donors, construction of the framing and exterior paneling is now complete. The next steps are installing the exterior metal sheathing, windows, HVAC, plumbing, interiors and a 1 kilowatt PV (photo-voltaic) system.
SparkFun is donating hardware and advising the students as they come up with a system of sensors that can maximize and monitor energy efficiency. The team aims to have the Tiny House completed to show at the 2017 Solar Decathlon in Denver this October. It will then become a learning lab through the Energy Minor at the School of Mines, allowing undergraduates the opportunity to monitor and adapt the house to increase its efficiency. It will also serve as a hands-on way to teach K–12 students and the community at large about renewable energy and easy ways to incorporate it into everyday life.
Everything Plus the Kitchen Sink:
The Tiny House team is now seeking donations to furnish the house with an energy-efficient refrigerator, an energy-efficient washing machine and a kitchen sink. Join us in supporting this sustainable effort!
