The green features in this retreat abound. Built around the principles of Sarah Susanka, or simply the basic concept that the details make the home, features include the following:
- Passive Home
The home meets the energy efficient standards as described in the New York Times article, "No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in 'Passive Houses'" by Elizabeth Rosenthal (12/26/2008), including the "blow test".
Link to New York Times article
Details on energy efficiency as compared to national and local averages.
- Passive Solar Design
The house is designed to receive maximum solar gain (sunshine) during the winter. More, it is shaded during the peak hours of summer. The precise exposure allows temperatures to be maintained, always, at a comfortable level.
Specifically, the home which rests at 43.5 degrees latitude, receives the winter solstice sun, at solar noon, at 21 degrees and the summer solstice sun, also at noon, at 70 degrees. The ratio of window height and eave overhang was specifically calculated to accommodate the angles.
More, the site is south facing with coniferous trees on the north and west and deciduous trees on the south. All large windows are south facing, with fewer and smaller windows on other sides.
- Superior Windows and Doors
Triple-paned windows and doors from Norway, which are hermetically sealed, open out, and compress at closing, thus serving to reduce heat loss and provide maximum protection.
- A Double Roof
The double, cold roof, inspired by structures in the Alps, provides an extra cold layering, thus allowing for increased insulation via the air space between the layers, and - as a result - lack of snow melt, which helps to mitigate temperatures.
- Recycled and Sustainable Lumber -- Handcrafted by Local Artists
The timber framing is 100 year old vertical grain fir salvaged from a bridge and an old warehouse. It was shaped into the interior framing by a sustainable sawmill in Montana. The pieces are, structurally, perfectly suited for timber framing.
In addition, and as mentioned in the tour, the custom cabinets throughout the home are constructed from recycled redwood wine casks. All of the cabinets were hand made by a woodworker in Helena, Montana. The wood is readily utilized by adept cabinetmakers.
Lastly, the upstairs flooring and the exterior siding were sustainably harvested from a family owned Montana sawmill.
- Insulation
The home was designed to meet Blower Door standards as developed by Canadian and Swedish utility companies. The combination of high R-value foam (3") and batt (6") insulation prevents air leakage and ensures a warm home. Attention to detail, for example inserting 2" blue board along the foundation and under the basement floor, plus protecting all receptacle openings, provides exceptionally warm walls. In addition, the air-to-air heat exchanger guarantees fresh, clean air at all times.
- Zoned Planning
The radiant floor heating throughout the home is governed by zones for maximum efficiency.
- Off-the-Grid Security
With its own well, propane source, and Bavarian Kachelofen oven, not to mention the three fireplaces, this home embodies green in its ability to function independently if required.
- Landscaping
Lastly, the home was designed to have a minimal footprint. Left to nature, the surrounding landscape is without human intervention.
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