Navajo Nation Builds First Alternative Energy Home

By Alexandra Olgin
Published: Friday, December 6, 2013 - 5:12pm
Updated: Monday, December 9, 2013 - 2:07pm

 A Navajo family is moving into the first "green" house on the reservation this weekend. It is powered by solar energy during the day and wind energy at night. The nonprofit IINA Solutions partnered with Mark Snyder Electric and the Navajo Nation to build the home.

Snyder says the entire house is wrapped in an insulation material to keep and store the hot air.

“We have a fire infrared heater, which stores heat inside the house for night time. So the wall radiates that heat overnight and warms the family." Snyder said. 

The heating system cuts down on the amount of wood the family has to burn to stay warm. Director of IINA Elsa Johnson said she hopes to build more. The house took five months to build and is expected to last up to 25 years with the proper care and maintenance.


Editor's Note: This article has been modified to reflect the heating system cuts down on the amount of wood to burn, but does not eliminate the need entirely. Also, the name of the partner company is Mark Snyder Electric.

Updated 12/9/2013 at 2:06 p.m.