This passive solar house is situated in a north/south direction on a 125 hectare (309 acre) farm, woodlot, and sugarbush operation in the Keswick Ridge area.
The systems in the house allow it to be rated as zero-carbon, energy-neutral, with zero waste and as an environmentally-compatible dwelling.
Three 1.2 × 1.5 m (4 × 5′) south-facing windows allow for passive solar heat to enter the interior of house. Much of the passive solar heat is absorbed by the brick mass of a masonry heater that sits directly behind the window area.
There are no windows on the north side and the house is protected from the north wind as it sits below the crest of a hill.
Wherever possible all construction materials were sourced locally. There are no artificial or manufactured construction materials, and no toxic substances used in the construction. The R20+ walls and R40+ ceilings are insulated with cellulose fiber. All windows are double-paned Low-E Argon.
There are two composting toilets, a passive refrigerator, the house is self-ventilating using east/west windows, and a solar cook oven is used on sunny days. Water is pumped using PV-generated electricity from a well into a 450 L (100 gal.) tank, and is then gravity-fed through conventional plumbing throughout the house.
