Start Time: 02:00
Date: 2011-02-12

President Obama made the development of cleaner energy a central tenet of his State of the Union speech Tuesday night, a theme he also had stressed in his 2010 address to Congress and the nation.

This time, after a year in which more than 50 solar-related companies announced plans to establish or expand manufacturing facilities, the topic drew more bipartisan applause. The president said that a “new goal” will be for the nation to generate 80 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2035.

That figure includes generation from cleaner coal plants, nuclear plants and natural gas, as well as from renewable sources, he said. The country already gets about 55 percent of electricity from natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric and renewable sources. “Clean coal” is still in the development and demonstration stage.  Read the full article from Solar Home Business Journal.

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com    William Raveis Real Estate

Water heating can account for up to 20% of your home’s energy costs which is why well over 40% of homes in Europe use solar hot water heaters.  Simply put they are economical and they work.

Recently, I visited an Eco Home in our area that is in the process of achieving the highest level of Green certification from two independent bodies.  Not only was it a pleasure to see this beautiful family home, the tour was both informative and enlightening. Even if you don’t have the funds or inclination to do to as much as this family has, there is something that each one of us can learn from their example.  

Here are some of the natural & locally sourced materials that were used to build this Adirondack style home.

Wood:  The white cedar siding is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified which is harvested from a forest that meets criteria for sustainability and protection of human rights.  The wood for the beams are Hemlock sourced right here in the Northeast.  The floors, some counters & cabinetry are reclaimed white and red oak.  The mill work is quality and the overall look fits the style of the home.

Stone work:  The patio, chimney and stone veneer on the house was harvested from the property itself and other local sources. The look is natural, rustic and gorgeous.

Counter tops & Tiles: The kitchen counters are 100% recycled glass in cement and come from Brooklyn.  The tiles used in the kitchen back splash and the bathroom are natural stoneware clay materials made by hand in New Hampshire.

Walls & Floors: The walls and ceiling in the main living area are finished with a natural plaster made from various clays, sand and reclaimed marble. The concrete floor is heated not only with hot water tubing but also from the sun through south facing windows. The low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint is non toxic as it is odorless and water based.

This house is not only energy efficient, it is self sustaining.

Electricity: A stand alone solar panel system generates more electricity than is used in this home and the excess is returned to the grid for other homes to use. As one would suspect CFL light bulbs are used throughout the home.  Fluorescent and LED lighting (which will soon become more popular) is also used. 

Heat:  A second solar system on the roof helps heat a 1,000 gallon water tank which then heats the air and water in the home as well as the pool.  The air is tempered by walls and a roof that is insulated with spray foam and triple glazed windows with two layers of low E coating.

Water:  Shower and sink water is filtered through peat moss and then circulated for use in the toilets creating what is called a grey water system.  This was the first such system to be approved by the Department of Health for a home.  Rainwater from the roof is collected and used to irrigate the landscaping. Storm water is diverted within a sophisticated drainage system to water the garden.  The irrigation system with 20 zones and drip/micro spray technology minimizes water use.

Landscaping +:

Wow, this yard has 35,000 landscaping plants and they are all native to the northeast. Plants are native wildflowers & grasses, organic vegetables and fruit.  The orchard has cherry, apple, pear, peach and plum trees. There are blueberry bushes, raspberry & blackberry brambles and edible greens such as herbs and lettuce. The garden is quite large at 4,000 sf and whatever is not used by the family will be distributed throughout the community.

Pool:  Heat loss is minimized with use of an automatic cover and insulation.  The water is warmed by solar energy and a copper ionization system sanitizes the water instead of toxic chlorine.

Thank you to CT Green Building Council and PACE Clean Energy for arranging the tour of this amazing home. For an on line tour go to  BPC Builders.  Perhaps you might like to incorporate some of these principles into your next renovation or build project.   My website is chock full of resources & information to help you do that.  If you can’t find what you are looking for, feel free to ask me and I will help.  I don’t know about you but I have so much respect for this family who has so much respect for nature and is sharing their home with others so we can learn from what they have done.

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com     William Raveis Real Estate

To go solar you no longer need to have a large unattractive silver panel on your roof.  It now comes in shingle form which is about the same size as a standard roofing tile.  

Essentially the way Solar systems work is to first collect the sun’s energy on some form of an array whether it a shingle system or a panel.  It then transfers the gathered energy to a converter that generates AC power which is the type of electricity that services our homes.

The ultimate benefit of going solar is that it is non-polluting.  In addition solar systems offer both long and short term dollar savings.  Government and utility rebates (location dependent) offer immediate savings and you will realize long term savings through a reduction your energy bill.

 Apparently you need about 260 of these solar shingles in order to generate enough electricity for your home.   They will work on sloped as well as low sloped roofs but you’ll need sufficient south and west facing roof for it to work.  An eco consultant and/or solar provider will be able to assess your home to see if you are a good candidate.

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com  William Raveis Real Estate