What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
The large solar addition is heated completely with solar and wood stove and helps to heat the rest of the house. In fact despite adding 60% more square footage our utility bills went down by a third when the addition was completed. The thermal mass of the addition also makes use of geothermal heat and cooling. The original house is still heated with propane furnace-hot water system - a cleaner alternative than oil. Hot water heater is a demand heater - much more efficient than tank hot water heaters. Many surfaces have low VOC paints and stains, but not all. Much of the building material used in both the addition and the restoration of the origial house is either harvested sustainably, or reclaimed lumber. There is excellent southern exposure for potential active solar use and the house is situated on the top of a hill making it a good locaton for wind power. Ceilings insulated to R55 and walls to R35. The property has not had any pesticides for at least the last 12 years and almost all natural fertilizer have been used.Property Description
Completely restored farmhouse on 100 acres with a large passive solar addition. Spectacular 180 degree view overlooking Alcove Reservoir, the Catskills and the Helderbergs. Quiet country setting at the end of a dead end road. All wood and tile floors. Spacious master bedroom and great room, both with spectacular views. Large country kitchen with maple cabinets and butcher block counters. Large stone terrace. Many fruit trees on the property. Barn and woodshed.
Neighborhood Description
This home is located at the end of a 2 mile dead end road on the top of a hill overlooking the Catskills, the southern Helderbergs and the Alcove Reservoir. We share the top of the hill with six other houses, only one of which is visible from the house. There is next to no traffic and it is a perfect place for children and dogs. Right around the house there are thirty open acres and nearly 70 wooded acres further away. Wildlife abounds - deer and turkeys are abundant but we have seen pretty much everything else - opposum, raccoon, pheasant, bald eagles, fox, bears, and even a bobcat. Over one hundred species of birds have been seen on the property.Market Area
The southern suburbs of Albany are about 15 minutes away and Albany is about 20-25 minutes away.School District
Location of Home or Land
Rural
Air Quality
Agriculture in Area | yes |
Industry in Area | no |
Air Pollution in Area | no |
Pesticide Free | yes |
Fragrance Free | no |
Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
Heating System | Cool Pipes |
Cooling System | Passive Cooling |
Ventilation System | Part of Cooling System |
Whole House Filtration | None |
Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
Water System | Well |
Wastewater System | Dry Well |
Construction Information
Exterior Finish | Shingles - Wood |
Interior Finish | Gypsum Board - Sheet Rock |
Interior Paint | Low VOC |
Floor Material | Wood - Solid |
Roof Material | Asphalt Composition Shingle |
Window Material | Metal Dual Glazed |
Insulation Material | Fiberglass |
Garage / Car Port
Garage / Carport | no |
Garage Type | detached |