New Construction. I am currently building a new cabin that will be quite green. It is 2,500 square feet and will utilize a 5 ton Northern Heat Pump geothermal heating and cooling system, radiant heat floors, and state-of-the-art closed cell insulating foam that blankets the entire roof and wall system. Moreover, when the heat pump is in cooling mode, it will provide the majority of my hot water needs by feeding warm \"waste water\" into the domestic hot water system. In the winter, off-peak electricity will warm the oversized 105-gallon Marathon hot water heater, taking advantage of cheap night-time electricity.
Additionally, I used generous amount of glass on the southern exposure to take advantage of passive solar in the winter while generous 5 foot eaves keep the summer sun out.
I am landscaping the southern exposure with many "leaved" trees that will provide additional shade to the house in the summer while dropping their leaves in the winter allowing the warm sun to hit the house. Evergreens on the north side will serve as a wind break from frigid winds.
Estimated cost: $320,000
Start date: July 2007
End date: February 2008