MECHANICAL FAQ

We have considered solar panels for water-heating and supplemental energy supply but haven't got to that yet. The area isn't suitable for wind nor water alternative sources. Ground source heat pumps are not legal here.

However the house was sited with passive solar in mind. The multi-function "great room" has an 18-foot ceiling and 9-foot windows on 3 sides and loft to the 4th side. As heat rises, the loft can get warm but because of the shape of the ceiling, air circulation moderates this. The room is mostly surrounded by deciduous broad-leafed trees which gives both privacy and shade in the summer when its needed. The passive solar effect works in our favor in winter when we need the direct sun. The trees even in winter act as a windbreak to cut down on fuel bills as well.

Natural gas lines don't come into our area. Our heat is from a high efficiency oil-fired boiler that has a radiator-like closed loop of water circulating in front of a fan for heating. The hot water for the house is heated by the same boiler. The fan for cooling in the summer is ground-well water circulating in front of the fan. A separate no freon air conditioner was recently added to keep the loft and upstairs area cooler. 

The cost of living is tied to fuel costs. We have good insulation, high efficiency, well-maintained boiler, passive solar but still fuel costs between $100 and $300 Canadian per month depending on the time of year.

Uh-oh. We have no backup generator and no wood stove so if the power goes, with it goes our lights, water, sump pump, and heating. Apart from the ice storm, this has not been a problem.