The E-House at Abbott Tech

Location: Henry Abbott Technical HS, 21 Hayestown Ave. - Danbury, CT
Completed: December 17, 2014

Abbott Tech E-House Construction Was Indeed a Team Effort 

Each of the E-Houses has had Unique Features as Part of Their Design and Construction 

In the case of the Abbott Tech E-House, this was the first one to include an Evacuated tube Drain-back type of Solar Thermal system. At the grand opening celebration in December, 2014, the E-House was decked out in holiday decoration including energy efficient LED lights, with all of the electricity being generated by the E-House's solar panels. As part of the project, an Electric car charging station was constructed next to the Automotive Technology department, also using electricity generated by the E-House.

For the Grand Opening Celebration, an Assembly was First Held in the School Gym.

Stacy Butkus, Principal of Abbott Tech, welcomed everyone and expressed her great pride in his students and staff in completing the project. Speaking at the ceremony were Dr. Nivea L. Torres, Superintendent of the Connecticut Technical High School System, Jose Alves, a 2014 Abbott Tech Graduate who was deeply involved in the project when he was a student, Mark Boughton, Mayor of Danbury. Elizabeth Esty, United States Congresswoman, and David Kalafa from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Guests also had the opportunity to watch a video showing the construction of the E-House from start to finish produced by the Computer Aided Drafting and Design program at Abbott Tech. The Culinary Arts programs also created a magnificent ice carving, a gingerbread version of the E-House, and a fruit display for the occasion. The assembly finished with a musical performance by Abbott Tech Staff and Students singing, "Do You Want to Build an E-House?"

A special thanks also goes out to the Brookfield High School Jazz Combo and the direction of Mr. St. Georges who provided holiday music in the main lobby as guests arrived.

Guests also were given I-PADs which they used to scan bar codes in that located instructional YouTube videos about the different technologies include the E-House. The project was indeed cutting edge in every way!

The E-House project is part of the state's technical high school system's "green" approach to provide clean energy curriculum and hands-on experience for its architectural, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and heating departments' faculty and students.

The E-House project is supported by Energize Connecticut and is jointly administered by Eversource Energy and the United Illuminating Company (UI). This is the seventh E-House to be completed by students and staff at the Connecticut Technical High Schools. Several more are being constructed with the goal of having one at each of the state's Technical High Schools.

Check out the photos below of the Abott Tech E-House construction and grand opening ceremony!