Solar Homes LLC 

Green Building Designs and Packages that Make Economic Sense

Anyone interested in green building can quickly be discouraged by the projected initial costs. 

Attainable SustainableTM Designs and Envelope Packages conserve 75% more energy than a conventionally-built house, with no more than a 10% increase in the cost to initially build the house.

With ever-increasing energy costs, the payback on these buildings will continue to drop--current projections are between five and ten years.  Victor Zaderej, President of Solar Homes LLC, argues that energy-use optimization is the key component of making green building make sense.

While the key objectives of these efforts are focused on initial build cost and overall energy-use, there are myriad benefits to this building process, including but not limited to:

• reduced maintenance costs and operating expenses
• air-tight construction creates even temperature throughout--eliminates cold spots
• significantly reduces outside noise
• filtered fresh air supplied continuously for improved health

Nature Center Building Completed - Performance Monitored by U.S. Department of Energy

Kent and Kathy Lawrence, founders of the Kickapoo Mud Creek Nature Conservancy  (www.kickapoomudcreek.org) sought Victor Zaderej's guidance with the energy efficiency protocol for their Nature Center building, and are impressed with the results.   

"We had just completed building our energy efficient home when we met Vic.  After several discussions, we realized that we could have done more, much more, at little or no extra  cost, if we just incorporated a couple of his ideas.  In 2001, the green construction of our home was cutting edge.  LEED was not established yet for residential homes and we were building 100 miles west of Chicago.  Our architect, Thom Greene, and builder Rick McCanse, did outstanding work, but you know you just cannot know everything.  So when we decided to build Kickapoo Center, Victor was first on our list.  He not only is on top of  several facets of energy efficiency, but he also thinks outside of the box.  Applying varying techniques to make the various products perform even above the manufactures guidelines.  He is an excellent person to have on your team."  Kathy Lawrence

The Nature Center has been equipped with remote monitoring instrumentation for use by the U.S. Department of Energy and Oakridge National Laboratories.

Custom Designs/Seminars

We are excited about the results of custom-designs we have completed, and the prospects of our current design projects.  We are available to consult on your project.

We are developing educational seminars for builders, architects and any interested individuals.  Please contact us with your preferences regarding these seminars.  admin@solarhomesus.com or 630.728.1107

An Expert's Expert:

Victor Zaderej, B.S., M.S., M.I.T., and President of Solar Homes LLC, is on the front line of energy efficient building development.  He is working with he U.S. Department of Energy and Oakridge National Laboratories, and is a board member of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association.

"An emerging Edison...Zaderej may have more of an impact on making the American dream home sustainable than a hotel ballroom full of architects, bankers, brokers, economists and politicians." 

John Wasik, author of The Cul-De-Sac Syndrome, Turning Around the Unsustainable American Dream