The primary criteria in designing and creating the house and land have been environmental sustainability and green, non-toxic, healthy construction. Guided by the principles in Paula Baker-Laporte's Prescriptions for a Healthy House and Dan Chiras's The Natural House, every care has been taken to ensure that the systems, materials, and ongoing life of the home are all consistent with these values.
- Heat provided by soapstone Tulikivi masonry heater. Two burns per day keep the house toasty. Wood use: approximately three cords per year. (For more on Tulikivi heaters, see http://www.warmstone.com/fireplace_series.asp) All wood for heating can be harvested on the property or purchased from area vendors. Carefully designed, functional wood storage areas for maximal drying and accessibility.
- Passive solar design supplements wood heat. Southern-facing glass. Thermal mass, provided by stone flooring with deep concrete slab in dining area, reclaimed black granite counters, and Tulikivi, absorbs heat and slowly raises the temperature in the house on winter afternoons by several degrees. Carefully architected window overhangs admit sun during cold months, when the sun is low in the sky, and provide shade during the summer when the sun is high.
- Supplemental heat available but not needed! Propane-fired, thermostat-controlled cast iron stove in main living space could heat entire house. Efficient electric heaters for extra warmth in both full baths and in ground-level mechanical room. First-floor bedrooms wired for additional heaters if desired. Master bedroom plumbed and wired for additional propane stove and thermostat, if ever desired.
- Double exterior wall with six-inch cavity for over-insulation. Vapor barrier throughout for moisture control.
- Interior air quality ensured by custom-engineered air-exchange system. Tight construction, over-insulation, and low-E glass reduce unwanted leaking of air into (and out of) the house. While these systems decrease the heat gain/loss from the house, they make it necessary to bring fresh air intentionally into the home. Designed in consultation with an air quality engineer, this unique system consists of ductwork bringing fresh air through the basement, where it is passively warmed in winter and cooled in summer, and then into the rest of the house. A series of timer-equipped exhaust fans draws air through the house, which benefits from multiple air exchanges each hour. A commercial kitchen fan (Fantech FX8XL, with silencer) in custom-made housing (doubles as a pot rack) provides maximal ventilation from cooking fumes and smoke.
- Custom-designed internal ventilation additionally maintains air circulation and equalizes temperature in summer and winter. Warm air rises to the peak of the house, where a fan (Fantech 6" duct fan)draws draws it down through a duct to ground level; the air is released for recirculation. The cooler ground level is warmed; the peak is cooled; the house is maintained at a comfortable temperature.
- Interior cooling-needs controlled with over-insulation, large southern overhangs, 360-degree full screening, and air-exchange system. Additional cooling provided by powerful ceiling fans, whole-house fan (Tamarack HV 1600), and loft fan (Fantech RVF4). Personal cooling at the swimming pool.
- Double-cell window shades control heat-loss at night.
- Custom-designed motion detection alarm system by Lexingon Alarm.
- Deep well with 3/4 HP, 7 gpm pump. Twin-alternating water softening system. 10-inch "Big Blue" WP-5 5-micron whole-house water filtration. Microline reverse osmosis filter, with separate faucet, for purified drinking and cooking water.
- 200 amp electrical panel with 60 amp subpanel
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All appliances selected for energy efficiency, reliability, high functionality, and compatibility with a healthy home.
- Viking six-burner propane cooktop
- Bosch range
- Rinnai "Continuum" tankless, on-demand hot water, propane-fired. (see http://www.rinnai.us/tankless-water-heaters/homeowners/)
- Super-efficient Miele Novotronic front-loading washer and dryer, in double-doored nook off main living space, with storage and surface for folding, directly accessible to outdoor clothesline area.
- Thermador dishwasher
- Whirlpool trash compactor
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