This summer our clients moved into their new 2500 SF home on an acreage outside of town. From the outset they were passionately committed to energy efficiency and the use of renewables. In the design process we explored using a wood gasification boiler coupled with solar thermal panels and large insulated heat storage tanks. Once we switched to 8″ SIP wall construction, our energy modeling indicated that the boiler system would be costly and unnecessary, so the home now has a solar-thermal/electric radiant heat system with an efficient wood fireplace as a backup.
The most recent report from the clients: “The weather is turning fairly rapidly and despite daytime highs of 11 and lows of -3 our house temperature has yet to dip below 20 despite my miserly refusal to turn on any heating. (Though we did do a quick fire on Sunday which was lovely). I think this bodes rather well for the coming winter.”
Throughout the house, extensive use was made of Parallel Strand Lumber for posts, beams, stair treads and handrails and some of the furnishings. To view photos of the house, please visit our Facebook album.
We congratulate these homeowners on having made future-friendly design choices, and wish them the very best in their new home.
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