What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
Solar system provides all of the electricity and covers the cost of the propane backup.
We also had low VOC carpeting installed, as well as a make-up air system.Property Description
This facility is 4 years old – the house, fencing and barn. Total acreage is 23.75 acres which includes about 7 in fields that can be used for hay, 10 that are pasture, and the rest are paddocks/yard/garden/buildings. 500' paved driveway.
The 1425 square foot ranch house has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, walk in closet in master bedroom, pantry, mud/laundry room, full unfinished walk out basement, 2 car attached garage. There is a well (with a filter and UV light in the house, although the water had tested free from any bacteria) and the septic system is not a sand mound, but standard system. The house is also wired so that essentials can be run from a generator in the event of a power outage.
There are 4 horse shelters that are 24' x 25' each, attached to one another and a concrete aisle (15' x 96') for tack and grooming horses in between the shelters and the large barn. The large barn (60' x 96') is currently used for hay and equipment storage, but could easily be converted to an indoor. There is also an outdoor sand arena that is 75' x 135'.
The property is in the Clean and Green program, keeping property taxes low.
The house/operation is very "green" with a SOLAR SYSTEM and enhanced energy efficiency. There are 42 solar panels on the roof of the shelters, providing all the electricity for the house and farm. There is essentially NO electric bill – in fact, there is usually a credit on the electric bill around May of each calendar year. A heat pump provides heating until the outside temperature drops below 40 when a backup propane heating system kicks in. Payment for SREC's has more than covered the cost of the propane. This house was tested for energy efficiency and given a HERS rating of 18, the second best in MetEd's territory.Neighborhood Description
Located on Irish Creek Road in Penn Township, this property is convenient to major highways (including I-78), but quite rural in nature. One neighboring farm is preserved (cannot be developed); two farm properties and one small development of 10 homes make up the rest of the neighbors. There are lots of sources to "buy fresh, buy local" for your food. Options to use the property for income include horse boarding, growing produce or crops, raising livestock, or renting land to a local farmer.Market Area
Bernville, PA
Bernville is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 955 at the 2010 census. Bernville is bordered by Penn Township to the north, east, and south and by Jefferson Township to the west.School District
Relatively small school district - Tulpehocken Area.
http://www.tulpehocken.org/Community
Rural. Small town of Bernville within 3 miles. Blue Marsh Lake is also close for recreation.Location of Home or Land
Rural
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | yes |
| Industry in Area | yes |
| Air Pollution in Area | yes |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | no |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Solar - Active |
| Cooling System | High Efficiency Heat Pump |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | Other |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Energy System | Solar - Photovoltaic |
| Water System | Well |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Exterior Finish | Other |
| Interior Finish | Gypsum Board - Sheet Rock |
| Interior Paint | Low VOC |
| Floor Material | Carpet |
| Roof Material | Asphalt Composition Shingle |
| Window Material | Vinyl or Vinyl Clad |
| Insulation Material | Fiberglass |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | yes |
| Garage Type | attached |
| Number of Cars | 2 |
| Garage Area | 440 sqft |
