Yankee Ingenuity: A New England Home Uses Innovative, Eco-Friendly Technology
(Page 2 of 4)
September/October 2008
By Laurel Kallenbach
Cleaning up energy
RELATED CONTENT
Tony and Sally were committed to achieving zero dependency on fossil fuels. The couple chose a geothermal system that gathers heat from the earth via a well (which also supplies drinking water) and pumps it throughout the house through radiant floor tubing. The floor mass then holds the heat throughout the day, keeping the house warm. The heat in the well water is captured by a heat pump and used to heat water for household use. The used, cool water returns to the well where it is reheated by the surrounding earth.
Geothermal systems require electricity to run the pumps. The Grassis didn’t want electricity from a coal-fired plant, so they pay extra to buy renewable energy from their local utility. The solar photovoltaic system provides much of the electricity for the geothermal system and their other electric needs. This combination of solar electricity and purchased renewable energy allows the house to operate with zero carbon emissions.
The Grassis’ education has broader ramifications. “I look at the whole world differently,” Sally says. “After learning what goes into manufacturing building materials, I think twice about everything I buy. Should I get another toy for the grandkids? Made of plastic? Painted in China? Nine times out of ten the answer is no.”
Tony echoes his wife’s sentiments. “Building a house ought to reflect your value system. We did everything we could to do the responsible thing.”
The good stuff
■ Geothermal heating, cooling, hot water
■ Solar panels
■ Passive solar building orientation
■ Zero PVC in home (HDPE, fiberglass and cast iron used instead)
■ Native, pesticide-free landscaping
■ Porous, recycled-asphalt driveway for stormwater drainage
■ Fly-ash concrete in foundation
■ FSC-certified wood and lumber
■ FSC-certified cedar for roof and siding shingles
■ Aluminum-clad, low-E, argon-filled, insulated windows
■ Main-entry doors made from reclaimed Douglas fir
■ Low- and zero-VOC paints and finishes
■ Lead-free flashing and chimney caps
■ Formaldehyde-free plywood and particleboards
■ Use of steel (high recycled content) and open trusses for support structure
■ Paper-free gypsum panels to prevent mold and mildew growth in bathrooms
■ Formaldehyde-free, blown-in insulation in walls (R-30 rating)
■ Non-ozone-depleting, formaldehyde-free spray-foam insulation in roof (R-60 rating)
■ Efficient halogen and fluorescent lighting
■ Mostly used furniture; reupholstery with organic, chemical-free fabrics
A chat with the homeowners
What books are on your nightstands?
Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo; Lab 257 by Michael C. Carroll; Secret Life of Lobsters by Trevor Corson; Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938 by R.A. Scotti.