What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
The large lower level picture windows face south to collect sunlight from morning to night. Decorative tile floors absorb the heat from the south facing picture windows.rnrnVentilation (during warm weather) is by convection, using Andersen awning windows at the front and small exhaust windows at the top rear.rnAuxiliary heating costs (electric baseboard, forced air oil heat) are very low due to earth temperature moderation and passive solar heating.rnNatural flowing spring water previously tested pure.rnNative hand-cut rocks cover the walls and fireplace for more heat storage.rnSolid Birch Floors made by owner from wood cut on the property. Maple floors upstairs.rnrnCeramic floors. No carpeting for a clean environment.rnCement walls are free from wood products.rnNatural sunlight for a healthy environment.rnNo use of large scale pesticides or termite treatments.rnOrganic garden and fruits.rnSelf Sufficient Homestead with built-in Disaster Shelter.rnrnFOODrnOrganic garden that produces high yields on a 20 x 20 ft plot. Extra acres for expansion will come in handy if food is in short supply or high priced. The loam soil is extremely fertile and dark, deep and excellent for growing many types of organic vegetables and apple trees. Fruit trees, blueberries, raspberries and flowering plants are scattered on the property.rnBuilt in Greenhouse for growing garden starter plants and indoor greens in the winter with no auxiliary heat required.rnThe indoor concrete cool storage cellar provides dry storage to stock a one year supply of food and firewood.rnrnWATERrnImagine not having to use ice cubes again and drinking water that is so clean, pure and tasteless that it actually tastes good and you want seconds! The natural spring water that supplies the house comes up from deep within the earth through a crack in the granite rock beneath the mountain. The water bubbles to the surface and produces a constant stream that overflows and forms a small brook. The water flow has been constant year ‘round as far back as recorded history for this area. The water temperature is cool and ready to drink year round.rnrnSHELTERrnThe cool storage/recreation room is under ground and can also be used as disaster or storm shelter. It is surrounded on all sides and top by concrete and has 2 doors that could be solid steel if required. A ceiling vent goes to the outside air and can be filtered.rnrnPOWERrnHydropower is normally supplied from a nearby dam in Vermont. The local community is less dependent on the transcontinental power grid that can go down during a national heat wave or storm. You can add a propane and/or electric generator for emergency lights and cooking.rnrnLOT PLANrnThe house is facing South on sloping terrain. On an unusually warm 95 degree summer day, you are cozy inside with the windows and shades down. No need for air conditioning to stay cool underground. At night the Andersen awning style windows are open to let in the cool night air.rnYou decide you want to leave your home in the winter to spend some time at the beach house. No need to worry about leaving the power on or water off. No need to worry about frozen water pipes or plants dying when you live under the frost line.rnA small brook flows across and also along the property border. A pond could be built anywhere along the brook to raise trout for fishing.Property Description
New Hampshire Green Home, House, Passive-Solar,rnEarth Sheltered, Disaster Shelter, Retreat,rnHomestead, Wheel Chair Accessible,rnrnAwning and car does not conveyrnStove supplied may be a different modelrnFurniture does not conveyrnStove is included. Native cherry cabinetsrnrn3,811 sq.ft. total: Combine or use as Duplex.rnrnLower Floor: 1,951sq.ft.,6-rms+1 full bath+greenhouse.rnUpper Floor: 1,860sq.ft.,7-rms+1 full bath+2car garage.rnFull Kitchen on each floor.rnrnThe design was inspired by the report of the University of Minnesota Underground Space Center titled “Earth Sheltered Housing Design”rnrnA Passive Solar Heated Structure with the front of the house facing south to capture and store the sun’s heat. The foundation Walls are built into the ground and are designed to store heat during the winter. The walls are 8\" thick cement with 6\" of exterior foam for a total of 14\". Wiring and vent cavities are channeled into the cement. The stone wall in the living room is 22\" thick. The roof of the first floor is made from 30-ft long pre-stressed Flexi- core concrete planks developed for highway overpasses, bridges and commercial buildings. The sides of the planks interlock with a tongue and groove. Rebar is imbedded linearly in the bottom of the planks to form a slight (pre-stressed) arch. This allows weight to be added to the roof. A crane was used to place the planks on the roof. A nice design point is that internal walls on the lower level are not needed for support. This allows that floor plan to be changed to any configuration without worrying about roof support. The possibilities for remodeling are wide open.rnrnThe original design was for the roof to be underground. The owner decided to build another house on top of the foundation instead to take advantage of any heat loss from below. This was more economical than making a separate foundation to stay below the frost line. The view is also magnificent from the second floor.rnrnThis massive insulated structure can retain heat for 1 week without using the stove: approximately 1 degree per day drop in temperature with sub zero weather outside.rnrnA greenhouse was incorporated in the first floor. It is lowered below ground level to take advantage of natural earth heat. The greenhouse has double wall (Kalwall) solar panels providing heat during winter months to start garden vegetables and annual plants. A thermostat controls an exhaust fan to prevent overheating and to circulate the stored heat. The greenhouse has two 4\" thick floor slabs separated by an 18\" space filled with crushed rock. This space can also be used for a Jacuzzi or solar heated hot tub. A second fan exhausts excess heat to the outside.rnrnThe large room immediately behind the greenhouse can serve as a shelter or cool storage room, recreation room, etc.
Neighborhood Description
A Majestic 180 degree view overlooking the White Mountains, Presidential Range and Dartmouth Range of New HampshirernThis is composed of Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams, Mt. Madison, and to the west: the Green Mountains of Vermont.rnrnThe north view from the upstairs porch has a beautiful evergreen and white birch forest.rnLocated on the temperate west side of the Atlantic mountain range where less snow falls in the valley.rnSki slopes, Snowmobile trails, hiking trails, hunting and trout fishing nearby.rn• Would make a great Disaster Shelter and Self Sufficient Homestead.rn• 3 Golf courses, One 3 miles away. Shopping Depots 10-25 miles.rn• The White Mountain Regional Airport is in the valley just 13 miles away.rn• Rural neighborhood is quiet and ¼ mile from Route 2.Market Area
The House is located on the side of a mountain on Jefferson Highlands in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley. Modern shopping depots, supermarkets, farmer’s markets and health food outlets are less than a 1 hour drive in 3 or more directions.School District
White Mountains Regional School district. (WMRSD)Community
Scenic, Recreational, Rural, Homestead farming.Location of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | no |
| Industry in Area | no |
| Air Pollution in Area | no |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Solar - Passive |
| Cooling System | Passive Cooling |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Water System | Well |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Construction Type | Rammed Earth |
| Exterior Finish | Masonry Wood |
| Interior Finish | Cement Plaster |
| Interior Paint | Low VOC |
| Floor Material | Concrete |
| Roof Material | Asphalt Composition Shingle |
| Window Material | Metal Single Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Urethane Foam |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | yes |
| Garage Type | attached |
| Number of Cars | 2 |
| Garage Area | 450 sqft |
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