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Solar and Salvaged in Grove Park
High-efficiency grace in north Asheville
Alice Dodson, Empire Builders
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Designer: Alice Dodson, Weaverville,
NC
Builder: Empire Builders, Asheville, NC
Solar Contractor: Sundance Power Systems, Wolf Laurel, NC
Square Footage: 3,000
Construction Type: Alternative Durisol Block from footer to roof
with framed interior.
“I wanted to have an energy efficient house that incorporated
renewable energy and would have long-term minimal impact. The
choice of green materials was moderate to more expensive, but
well worth every penny,” says homeowner Bill Chapman of
his new Asheville, NC home. The driveway for his house, located
on top of a knoll with views of the Grove Park, was so steep that
a rear entry to the house had to be added. Unique in its incorporation
of solar technologies and the way the exterior color of the house
blends into the landscape, this house stands out in a traditional
north Asheville neighborhood. Bill chose the architect, Alice
Dodson, based upon her environmentally conscious approach towards
architecture, building, and site design. The existing house at
the site was salvaged and materials from it, like the steel beams,
were used to build the new house. The choice was made to tear
down the existing house because it was not properly insulated
and would therefore be inefficient to heat.
Being that Bill’s main concern was the energy efficiency
of the house, he chose to build with energy conserving materials
and incorporate an active solar heating system. While he is not
off the grid entirely, the house is highly efficient and does
have very low electric utilities. In fact, the domestic hot water/radiant
floor heating system, a solar electric (PV) system, provides an
average of 160,000 BTU per day, with backup provided by a 96 percent
efficient boiler.
Top Green Points
Efficiency: Active solar hot water/radiant floor heating system,
Durisol block construction (composed of mineralized wood chips),
offering high R value, smaller square footage, passive solar
design, with heat absorbed by mineral wool insulation on west,
east, and south
Low Toxicity: Durisol Masonry building materials with no toxic
components
Environmental: Smaller square footage, colors blend with natural
landscape |
Sundance Power Systems is the largest
provider of renewable energy systems in Western North Carolina
and offers design and installation of solar-hydro-wind electric
systems, solar hot water/heating, and radiant floor systems. You
can contact Sundance at 828-689-2080 or on the web at www.SundancePower.com
Scott Pillar at Empire Building can be reached at tallfolks@charter.net
Alice Dodson Architect, PA has provided sustainable and solar
custom residential design since 1990. Contact her at 828-645-9326
or alicedodson@charter.net and check out her website www.greendragondesign.net
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