|
Green Energy House
When you think of green homes the mature housing stock in Depew probably isn't your first thought, but that's exactly where one Western New Yorker is building what may become the greenest home in the area. Meteorologist Andy Parker explains. When disaster struck Carrie Zaenglein's life and fire destroyed her house in Depew she literally took the opportunity to pick up the pieces and rebuild green from the ground up. Carrie Zaenglein/Homeowner Carrie is a quiet person who doesn't view herself as an activist, but rather just a resident who wanted to make a difference in the environment around her. "I never thought I would do this, and now that I have the opportunity. I mean this is just a dream come true." So how efficient will Carrie's dream house be? Well, when completed this house will not only save her money it will pay her back! David Lanfear/Bale on Bale Construction David Lanfear is one of the builders helping Carrie construct her green home. He is an expert on straw bale insulation and says her new house will make and retain all the energy she needs. "She'll probably produce more electricity than she uses on a daily basis. Her gas bills should be below 50 dollars even in the dead of winter." So how does a house like this make energy? It's mostly solar. Built to maximize the southern sky, a wall of windows will provide passive solar for heat, solar panels will create plentiful electricity and solar tubes will heat her water. Then there's all those straw bales. With an R value more than triple that of conventional insulation straw bale construction will help Carrie's home retain nearly all the heat she produces. So what's the catch... You may think a house with this energy technology must cost more than a conventional build right? Not so says David. "It's about the same to build this way. While some things cost more, other things cost less so it averages out. But her operating costs will be far less... and that's what will give her energy security and financial security over time." With exterior construction under way, Carrie hopes to be living in her new home in the new year with a brand new outlook on the environment. In Depew meteorologist Andy Parker Channel 2 News. If you have a story about then environment or green energy send me an email andy.parker@wgrz.com If you would like more information on some of the energy ideas discussed in this story check out the links below:
|
