The Pathway to Energy Independence

by Reji

Letter to the Durango Herald Editor

Dear Editor:

There is a pathway to energy independence in our region, and there is no better time than now to put one foot in front of the other to get there. The more of us that start walking that path, the more money stays in our back pockets and in our local economy. With the rising cost of electricity, alternative ways to power our homes and businesses are looking more appealing. The US Army is well on its way to energy independence, with the Army Strategy for the Environment: Sustain the Mission – Secure the Future (www.sustainability.army.mil). Our neighbors at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs produces as much energy as they use, and reuse or recycle 100% of their waste and water.

The first step along this path energy efficiency.  “First Reduce Your Use, and then Produce” Making sure that your home or business is air sealed is the first and usually least expensive way to decrease energy waste. Efficient bulbs and ENERGY Star appliances are a great way to reduce electricity demand, as well.

Once a home or building is efficient, the next step is renewables. More than 290 days of FREE sunshine brightens our county each year. Solar makes sense (and cents) in our sunny location, and allows us the freedom to produce energy on our very rooftops, of all places. With so much power just over our heads, it’s not as hard as you might think to reach up and grab it.

I’m excited about the opportunity that Solarize La Plata is creating for many here. The payback period for solar has changed from twenty years to just seven years with the offered base price systems. Financing options are available.

Let us follow the example that our nation’s army is setting and strive for energy independence. I encourage all readers who are ready to take electricity production into their own hands to visit fourcore.org or call 970-259-1916 to get your name on the list by January 31^st, when the sign up period ends.

Sincerely,

Teresa Shishim
A.K.A. Little Miss Sunshine

Features of a "Home Come True"

Think about your fondest hobby- the thing you are most passionate about. Perhaps it is gardening, and you'd love to use a piece of property to feed the masses. Perhaps it is acting and you want to be on Broadway. Perhaps it is painting, and you want to create a master piece.

Chris Calwell's passion is energy efficiency. He has taken all his experience and knowledge and built a home that will produce as much energy as it uses (net zero!). The home includes no combustion appliances that could leak carbon monoxide or other toxic gases (unlike our neighbors from long ago, the Ancestral Puebloans, there is no "fire in the  hole"). This home is his special project, where he and his wife Vicki were able to invest their time and resources for the last year and create a "master piece".

Solar tracking stand and passive solar construction

Steve Kawell from Durango Solar Homes designed and built the home incorporating Calwell’s ideas and input. Passive solar concepts are used with thermal mass to take advantage of the sun's heat. They also incorporated active solar, using a tracking stand by Living Solar and bi-facial solar awnings to shade the porch areas and windows.

Finishes

VOC-free paint

The home features finishes from Light and Tile Art of Durango and paints from Hand Crafted House. The paints contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to ensure high indoor air quality.

Foam Insulation

Phase changing material

Insulation consists of cellulose fiber and Icynene foam from Foam Insulation Specialists. Additionally, phase changing material was used in the wall of the sun room and master bath ceiling, to absorb heat during the day and slowly release it during cooler hours.



Phoenix Recyling recycled as much scrap material from the building process as possible, and supplied the wood chips for the garden, which fills almost an acre.

Finally, Zehnder supplied a heat recovery ventilator with a ground tempering loop to help provide fresh air at a consistent temperature throughout the home, without using much energy to heat it up or cool it off.

YOU can get a "behind-the-scenes" peek at this home this Saturday, April 13th from 2 to 6:30 PM. Find more information, and RSVP here.

Spring Home Spotlight Tour Shines on A New Net Zero Home

4CORE is holding a home tour at the home of Vicki and Chris Calwell on Saturday, April 13^th from 2 to 6:30 PM. Durango Solar Homes is the primary sponsor of this new net zero home, which features cutting edge technology and produces as much energy as it uses.

This unique home has no combustion appliances- all heat and cooking come from sources without a flame. The home features passive and active solar, including bifacial solar awnings that collect sunlight that shines directly on them, as well as some that is filtered through and bounces back off the ground underneath. A geothermal tempering loop helps recover heat from the ground in the winter and cool air in the summer. Additionally, Bio PCM Phase Change Material is used in the sun room, which slowly releases heat and warms the rooms as it cools from a gel.

"This home utilizes both simple passive solar strategies and the latest high tech energy systems that future homeowners and builders will be integrating into their projects,” said Steve Kawell, Passive Solar Specialist and Owner of Durango Solar Homes. “It was designed and built for the specific lifestyle of the Calwells and their family, who will be able to easily monitor the home and its performance from a smart phone or lap top."

The homes are located at 50 Redcliff Lane just off of County Road 250 north of Trimble Lane. The event is free and open to the public. Suppliers and builders will be on-hand to explain the products and processes used to construct the homes, home energy efficiency, and saving money on utility bills. Food is being provided by Zia Taqueria.

“We are pleased to shine a spotlight on this state-of-the-art home,” said Gregg Dubit, Director of 4CORE. “Everything from the layout orientation to the materials incorporated has been thought out and planned with care. This unique home is an awesome example of possible solutions to our energy management future.”

This Spring Home Spotlight Event is sponsored by  Durango Solar Homes, Handcrafted House, Foam Insulation Specialists, Living Solar, Phoenix Recycling, Tile and Light Art of Durango, Zehnder and Zia Taqueria. 4CORE hosts quarterly Home Spotlight Events as an educational offering for participants to learn the various and creative ways to build or retrofit energy efficient homes. Please visit www.fourcore.org to RSVP and learn more.

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