Green Living

The house features numerous green elements, including:

Internally it features the following green elements.

• Solar photovoltaic panels send excess electricity back into grid.
• Solar thermal panels heat glycol which is used to create hot water and for space heating.
• Ceiling fans in bedrooms reduce need for air conditioning.
• Gray water system disposes of wastewater from shower, bathroom sink and washing machine.
• On-site water well and holding tanks. House is not dependent upon municipal water agency.
• Micro FAST four-chamber septic system (including evaporative mound) for black water.
• High-performance “E²”double-pane windows and doors.
• Cabinets made with bamboo (Plyboo) fronts and FSC certified boxes.
• Only wood in house found in interior doors and frames.
• No use of propane or natural gas in house.
• A seasonal stream flows uninterrupted under house.

Construction

Due to the use of the revolutionary Blue Sky Frame, the following green construction practices were able to be used.

• Minimal damage to land, home sits on six small footings.
• All steel used manufactured with up to 70 percent recycled steel.
• Factory fabrication of most elements meant dramatically less waste created.
• Waste created in factory immediately recycled.
• Prefabrication of elements meant far less site waste needing to be taken to landfill.
• Waste created during construction sorted and recycled.
• Rapid construction meant far fewer pickup truck trips to and from job site by workers.
• All materials in the home can be recycled.