What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
Solar PV System: A 5.52 kW solar-electric system produces ~7,500 kW-hours of electricity annually, saving the homeowner $900 in utility costs every year. The grid-tied system is net-metered – when the system is producing more power than needed, the homeowner is given a credit by the utility company to offset future electricity usage costs. The solar panels are located on pole-mounts overlooking a pond, which adds a beautiful aesthetic quality to the system. By keeping the panels cooler and allowing seasonal adjustments, the pole-mounted solar array is more efficient, too. Overall, the system produces enough power to satisfy 75%-90% of the homeowner’s annual electrical needs. Since installation in August 2009, the PV system has produced 20,245 kW, reducing the home's carbon footprint equivalent to 33,598 pounds of CO₂, 33, 598 miles of not driving in a standard car, or planting 373 trees for 10 years.
Radiant Heating: The ground level contains a sophisticated hydronic radiant floor heating system. A dedicated boiler allows hot water to flow, on demand, through tubing embedded in a 2” gypsum-concrete slab under the tile floor. The result is a warm, comfortable space during cold weather and a naturally cool tile during hot weather.
Soapstone Woodstove: A beautiful and energy efficient EPA-approved soapstone woodstove is the primary heating source for the top two floors of the home. The soapstone absorbs a vast amount of heat and retains it for hours after the fire goes out, radiating warmth evenly throughout the main floor. Soapstone stoves are also safer for children and pets because the soapstone surface never gets dangerously hot like typical cast iron stoves. The woodstove uses approximately 1.5 cords of hardwood per year. The home also contains a propane forced hot air system, with the capacity to heat all three floors for times when the woodstove isn’t in use.
Solar Passive Design: The home was designed to take advantage of the sun’s warmth and light. Oriented for southern exposure, large windows help warm the house during the cooler months. Energy efficient cellular window shades help keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A south-facing greenhouse enables the home owner to start seedlings indoors or enjoy a glassed-in room for wildlife viewing and dining.
In addition to the above mentioned features, the house has been renovated with no- and low-VOC paints (mostly Harmony and Duration by Sherwin Williams in neutral colors), and maintained without the use of harsh chemicals both inside and outside.Property Description
Realize your self-sufficiency dream in comfort and style with this one of a kind green home while saving thousands a year in electricity and heating costs. The location, land, and home make this the perfect modern homestead.
The House: Designer, passive solar home in excellent condition constructed with modernist approach to open plan living: contemporary European-style kitchen features all new energy-efficient appliances, European-style master bath with deep tub and sauna, clean architectural lines, attached greenhouse, and breathtaking views throughout. All three floors feature custom-made double-honeycomb cellular shades with tracks to create an extra insulating barrier and the first and second floor have 9-foot ceilings. The wide staircase with landings is a central architectural feature of the home.
Ground floor: The ground floor receives bright light from the southern exposure while the north side is buried into a slope to take advantage of the insulation and energy-efficiency of earth. Walk right out from the large family or rec room to the gardens and pond. The ground floor also has two bedrooms with ample closet space, a full bathroom, storage closets, and a mechanical room. The mechanical room houses the compact and energy-efficient boiler that powers the hydronic radiant floor heating (see below for more information) as well as the house-wide water filtration system, and the reverse osmosis water filtration system for the kitchen.
First floor: The kitchen features a neutral color scheme with European style cabinetry that extends to the ceiling for maximum storage and minimal cleaning, energy-efficient under counter LED lighting, all new energy-efficient stainless steel appliances including an induction-top stove, Corian countertops, a seamless sink, and a reverse osmosis water filtration system. A generous dining area is roomy enough for a seven foot dining table and is open to the living room, greenhouse, and soapstone woodstove. A door from the dining room leads onto the deck, a private area landscaped with shade trees, raised beds, a fire pit, and terraced stone walls. The first floor also has a front entryway with room for storage including a coat closet, a private, sunlit half bathroom, and a south-facing greenhouse for year-round growing and picturesque views.
Second floor: The second floor has a sunlit, loft office and expansive master bedroom featuring a walk-in closet, linen closet, and additional storage closet. The master bathroom features a deep European-style bath tub with a wrap around built-in bench, a large shower with safety bar and seat, and a sauna. Laundry is located upstairs for ease of use.
Outdoor Features: The 15-acre property includes the following
• 1/2 acre pond for fishing, swimming, boating, and ice skating
• Organic orchard with six varieties of apples and a pear tree, established high-bush blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, mint patch, and asparagus bed
• A 24’ x 32’detached barn and 6’ x 8’ chicken coop
• Trails throughout the property for hiking, snowshoeing, and hunting
• Property is bordered to the south and west by 500 undeveloped acres of forests, fields, and wetlands
• Fertile and organic fenced-in garden
• Mature wooded lot with oak, maple, locust, and pine, for harvesting firewood
• Natural berm to shield the house from wind
Neighborhood Description
All the homes in our neighborhood are situated on a hill above the Bozenkill River. Neighbors have 5-200 acres of rural land and most belong to a neighborhood social group where we help each other. There is also a neighborhood book club, charity club (for anonymous local giving), and project club for knitters, etc. We are 2 miles from an organic vineyard and 2 miles from the Altamont Apple Orchards and golf course.Market Area
Located on a hill just 2 miles from the idyllic village of Altamont, 5 miles from Guilderland, 8 miles from Schenectady, and 12 miles from downtown Albany.
Home of the Altamont Fair (a multi-county agricultural fair), the Old Songs Festival (local and folk music), the Scottish Festival, and the Natural Living Show (focus on sustainable home, energy, garden, and health).
Contact Jaime McCarthy-Evans with Hunt at (518) 495-8200 for general information and showings.
Email Sara or Kevin with technical questions: eastler at hotmail dot com.School District
Schalmont School DistrictCommunity
Rural community close to Altamont, Schenectady, Guilderland, and Albany.Location of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | yes |
| Industry in Area | no |
| Air Pollution in Area | no |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Forced Air - Gas |
| Cooling System | Conventional Forced Air - A/C |
| Ventilation System | Part of Cooling System |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| 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 | Tile |
| Roof Material | Asphalt Composition Shingle |
| Window Material | Metal Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Fiberglass |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | yes |
| Garage Type | detached |
| Number of Cars | 2 |
| Garage Area | 575 sqft |
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