2009 Michigan Energy Fair Renewable Energy Home Tour
Please register in advance to enjoy this
approximately 2 1/2 hour tour.
The
homeowners worked with Eric Hughes of Image Design, LLC to create a home that
is durable, energy efficient, and low maintenance. Frontier Group Construction
of Maple City was chosen to build the home and broke ground on Christmas Eve
day 2008. The relatively compact home (2200 sq. ft.) has a passive solar design
and was planned to maximize the heat gain from the main heat source, a Tulikivi
masonry heater which will be fueled with wood cut from the property. Heat from
the stove and sunlight will be stored and gradually released by the concrete
slab main floor. This floor will also be cool to the touch in the summer.
Winter warmth and summer “coolth” will be contained by the BuildBlock Insulated
Concrete Form main floor and SoyTherm spray foam insulated second floor. The
house will be so tight that a heat recovery ventilator was installed to cycle
through fresh air.
The
outside of the home is covered with Versatex trim and recycled content
Hardiplank fiber cement siding. The Energy Star rated Kasselwood metal shingle
roof provides a durable traditional look, is completely recyclable and is made
with 30% recycled material. Future installation of native landscaping is
planned.
Inside
the home the homeowners have installed a variety of materials they have been
collecting over the past few years. This includes locally harvested and milled
hard maple flooring and reused materials purchased from garage sales, antique
shops, and Odoms Reuse Co. in Grawn, Michigan. All of the sinks, most of the
interior doors, about 1/3 of the floor tiling, and both antique claw foot tubs
were purchased used. Also found inside the home are cabinets by Wolverine
Cabinet Company. These cabinets have no added ureaformaldehyde, no VOCs and
were constructed in Michigan with Michigan and regionally harvested lumber
including fast growing aspen.
Finally,
the home is pre wired for the future addition of a solar and/or wind turbine
system. A solar hot water system was installed by Contractors Building Supply
based in Copemish, Michigan. This system includes a Marathon hot water heater
and should provide most of the homeowner’s hot water needs.
Additional
energy saving, healthy home and environmentally friendly features include:
• Energy
Star rated refrigerator, washer, ceiling fans, light fixtures, exterior doors,
and windows.
• Zero
VOC paints and wood finishes.
• Property
(60 acres) is managed for wildlife habitat and water quality and is enrolled
in:
• NRCS
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (www.nrcs. usda.gov/programs/whip/)
• Conservation
Resource Alliance’s Wild Link program (www.rivercare.org/)
• Engineered
finger jointed lumber and advanced framing techniques.
• Low
flow shower heads and bath sinks.
• Two
dual flush and one ultra low flow toilets.
Times:
Friday:
3 pm
Saturday:
10:00am & 2:15pm
Sunday: 11 am
Thank you
Manistee Dial a Ride for providing the bus for this tour!
