This time of year I think about Francis Pharcellus Church, editor of the New York Sun who responded to a letter from Virginia O’Hanlon. Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus has become one of the most reprinted editorials in history.
With that in mind, Santa, I have a Christmas Wish List for my new home….
There are so many things I would like to include but directives on the Dena Stevens - Brad Pitt Pink Challenge dictate 5 features…
The home can be compared to the human body made up of Systems. Each system has several components that make it function optimally. My home would combine the following 5 systems ...
SUSTAINABLE SITE – To minimize my impact on the environment I would like to choose a site for my home that is located near or in a previously developed area. This could be an Edge Development Site or an Infill site. By choosing a site such as these it is likely I will have access to existing public transportation and green spaces. With community resources like these available I will be able to leave my Hybrid Car in the garage and walk, bike or take the bus to run my errands and play with my dog Kodiak because he doesn't like being stuck in the house! The home would also have a very small footprint -- I don't need a lot of space, just SMART space!
ENERGY EFFICIENT – Santa, as a nation we are way too dependent on fossil fuels. When we design my home I will need it to have a tight building envelope, strength, good insulation and thermal mass. My home could be built with products like Durosil or Build Block with fly ash incorporated in the mix to reuse byproducts from the coal industry.
We will pay special attention to the way my home is oriented on the Sustainable Site in a way that I will be able to take advantage of the passive solar energy from the sun. The builders will need to pay attention to proper sealing of my home and will need to include low-e windows with the proper Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient (SHGC) for my location. My home will need to be well-insulated quite possibly using an insulation made from recycled materials like Nu Wool. We will also make use of Energy Star + appliances. Santa, when you build my home with energy efficient features in mind the energy my home requires will be less than the average home.
RENEWABLES – Santa, I would like to live off the grid! The type of renewables we use will depend on the location of my home. I would use a combination of solar thermal, photovoltaics and wind energy system. The combination will depend on the site selection as some sites lend better to solar and some lend better to wind.
In the news today I read the story of the state of emergency in Oklahoma caused by an ice storm. No matter what area of the country we have all experienced a situation that has crippled our region be it ice, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. The home you are building for me will not rely on public utilities for power. I will be able to provide food, water and shelter for others affected by weather systems because I have a strong home that will withstand the weather and my own little power plant to keep my house powered when public utilities fail.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY – Santa, you have built me a home with a very tight envelope so we must pay attention to the air exchange in my home. I will need proper air exchange and combustion venting. This will include sealed combustion appliances, proper exhaust and intake fans, properly sized HVAC. This will make the air that I breathe healthy and clean. This will protect me from radon and mold and as a bonus my energy efficiency will improve even more.
WATER EFFICIENCY – Santa, we are facing a water shortage in many parts of the country and around the world. I would like my home to use less water but also recycle and reuse water. There are several components we could put in place to help achieve this. I would like to start with a live roof that will minimize water run off and also protect my roof from the elements. Other components outside of my home would be prairie grasses and native plants that require very little if any water, a rain capture system and permeable pavement. Inside my home we would implement water savings through low flow faucets and shower heads, dual flush toilets and a gray water recapture system.
There are many components available today that will help my home operate as a lean, mean efficient machine (system!) My wish list has one requirement Santa....with the great technology today I know there are builders out there (I work with some) that have the know how to put a project together like mine in an affordable manner and follow recycling practices to minimize construction waste. By building affordably I don't have to spend all my money on my humble abode. I will have money left over for philanthropy and to help others realize their dream of efficient, healthy and sustainable living.
Happy reNewable Year to all!
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Mary,
"SUSTAINABLE SITE - To minimize my impact on the environment I would like to choose a site for my home that is located near or in a previously developed area." I love this - wish I had thought of that for one of my five elements. Good one!