Inc.
WHERE KNOWLEDGE EQUALS POWER INDEPENDENCE
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Please be considerate of the
host of these homes. If the weather is inclement or the conditions are wet or
muddy please remove your shoes before entering the homes. PLEASE, don't not show
up at someone's house except for the day of the tour and only visit within the
hours of the tour, 1000 to 1600. I want to extend
thanks to all the host for taking time out of their busy lives and opening up
their homes to the public. Note: Please check our web site right up to the day of the event for any last minute changes. The reason being is we have had last minute cancellations in the past. Family emergencies is one example. Bill and Barb Castle Key Features: This beautiful retreat is a great example of how one family has brought tourism, sustainability and the environment together to offer an escape from the noise of civilization. Their example of old-school craftsmanship and independent living makes the most of solar electricity, a compost recycling system, organic gardening and gravity fed spring water. Small scale solar electric equipment but still a great place to visit. Directions: From the 390 expressway exit on to the Southern Tier Expressway to Exit 32 West Almond Exit. At the end of the ramp you come to a "T". Head down the hill and take a direct left after the blue metal building onto the gravel road. You will see the clearly marked sign for SOUTH ROAD/Pollywogg Hollër. Take this gravel road approximately 2 ½ miles. As you descend the backside of the hill you will see the Pollywogg Hollër office on the left (a one story ranch-style house) set back 100 ft. Pull in the driveway, you have made it to Pollywogg Hollër - or - continue 100 yards to a small lot on the right, leave your car here, and follow the trails through the woods to the main lodge.
Marietta
Cutrone and Doug Stockman Home is NOT open till 1:00pm to 4:00pm only, please no visitors prior to this time. Key Features:
The
home owners designed and built their home to reduce annual energy use –
particularly from non-renewable sources while using a very traditional home
design for upstate New York. The passive solar design combined with significant
insulation and a tight building envelope reduces the need for external heating.
The use of biomass (i.e. Wood) in a high efficiency wood stove allows them to
keep the house at 75 degrees in the winter when there is no sun. The hybrid
wind turbine and PV electrical generation system has met all of thier
electricity needs for the past seven years. About 50% of our domestic hot water
comes from a solar water heater that preheats water before it goes to an instant
on Takagi gas-fired water heater. The in-ground pool is solar heated and the
pump is solar powered. The barn's simple electrical needs are met by left over
system components from other projects. A home made solar air heater adds heat to
the walk out basement. Directions: From the West: Take 104 east to Phillips Road exit. Take right on to Phillips Road. It ends at State Road. Turn left on to State Road and a fast right on to Frawley Road. Last house on the street. From the East: Take 104 west and exit at Salt Road. Turn left on Salt Road. Turn right on State Road. Go past Harris Road. Next left is Frawley.
Peter Fournia Key Features: A highly successful 1970's vintage solar hot water system is on display near Rochester, NY. This provides domestic hot water heating for a family of four. It is still in operation with a unique controller customized for operation in cold climates. It is estimated to save about $250 - $300 in annual hot water heating costs. Directions: From the intersections of Rt. 441 (Penfield, Rd.) and Rt. 250 drive North on Rt. 250 to Whalen Rd, turn left. Continue to Jackson Rd. Extension, turn right. Next right is Woodlyn Way Bill
and Sue LaBine Key Features: This 100 year old Victorian shows the best in energy efficient renovation and addition techniques. The home incorporates almost 3000 watts of utility-intertied PV (solar electric), plus Solar Hot Water and Solar Hot Air systems. Passive-solar features, including super-insulation, super windows, thermal mass (tile floors) and summertime shading have been incorporated. Super efficient lights and appliances are found throughout. The house also features an "endless-shower heat exchanger", a root cellar, a rainwater collection system and a "victory" garden/orchard. The passive solar workshop/garage features lots of insulation, south facing windows, thermal mass, solar hot air and a stand-alone solar electric system. The workshop is also the home of our Bio-Diesel processor, which transforms used fryer grease into clean burning, renewable fuel for our efficient (40+ mpg) diesel cars. Directions: From I-390 (about 10 mile south of Rochester) take Routes 5 & 20 west to Avon’s traffic circle (about 2.5 miles). Go south at the traffic circle (a “left” if you will) onto Genesee Street. Our (yellow) house is on the left (east) side of the street about .5 miles from the traffic circle. Some stair climbing required.
Shawn & Lori Lessord
Key Features:
Our
Brockport home features a Battery Based 1K grid-tied photovoltaic
system, and a 400 watt Southwest wind off-grid backup system. Our inverter is
an Outback GVFX-3648 power inverter, and Outback MX-60 Charge Controller. Our
solar power comes from (8) Matrix photowatt solar modules which are roof
mounted. We also have (4) Evergreen 120 watt solar modules which are pole
mounted for those who would like to see modules up close and personal. Our wind
power is provided by Southwest Windpowers (AIR-X model turbine). Also we have installed a 480 watt backyard solar array to compliment our
existing roof designed system. Also
available on display is a Solarwall heating unit. This unit is not yet
installed, but you will see how it adapts to your homes heating system and
provides heat during the winter months, New in
2007 we have added a Quadra Fire Multi fuel burner insert (Burns-Corn, Wheat,
Pellets, Sunflower seeds, and even has a DC battery backup system Directions: From the 490 west expressway exit on to RT531 West. Continue till the end, which will be Washington Street where you will make a right hand turn. You will then take and immediate left on Route 31. Follow RT 31 west until you get to Route 260 (Sweden Walker Road) where you will turn right (north). Follow RT 260 until you come to RT104. Then turn left (West) on Route 104 for about 2 miles. (If you get to RT19 you have gone to far) You will see a John Deere dealer on left, shortly after that you will see Sherwood Drive on you left. Turn on to Sherwood and go to the stop sign.You will then take another left on to Valleyview Drive and we are # 73 which is the fourth home on the left hand side.Ann
Lombardi Key Features: An excellent example of “Off-Grid” living on a budget. This is a log home kit still in the progress of being built. However, the unique thing of this home is all the Renewable Energy equipment is located outside the home. This system is power by PV panels and a backup propane fired generator. This system is designed to grow as your budget allows. Directions: Located in Colden NY. From the town of East Aurora on Route 20 turn south on Center Street and continue about 10 to 15 miles till it “T’s” into Crump Road. Turn right and on the right about a ½ mile is the stone driveway entrance. Crump Road is almost directly across from the entrance of Kissing Bridge ski resort if you come from Route 240.
Anthony Powell
Directions:
From North – Take I-390 S to Exit 11 Rush/Rt 15, left
onto Rt15 South, follow about 2 miles to flashing light at Honeoye Falls#6 Rd,
turn left and follow HF#6 East about 3 miles till Dalton Rd on right, just after
large rock quarry. House is 3rd house on left, ½ mile south of HF#6.
Chris Schaefer’s Solar &
Wind FX Design and Training Center and OFF-GRID Green Home (New
for 2007) Dave
and Cheryl Tierson Key Features: A newly built 5000 sqft passive solar home which is completely “Off-Grid”. When you visit make note of the utility high tension lines as they pass by the back of the home owners property. A great example of how a family of four can have all the conveniences of a utility powered home with out the monthly bill. 2.64Kw of PV with a backup propane fired generator and batteries use to store the access energy. Directions: As you come from Rochester and arrive in the village of Naples, continue south on Route 21 and as you leave the village follow Route 53 south. Just about a mile past the intersection of Route 21 and 53 on the left hand side you will see Pressler Road. Go to the end and turn right on to the stone drive and go to the end and you will see the home. Ray
Wager Key
Features: A wonderful example of just how small a PV and wind system can
be to run a year round off-grid home.
The RE system consists of 14
photovoltaic panels-900 watts total, mounted on 4" steel pipe frame that can be
turned on a horizontal axis to maximize solar rays as the seasons change. A Trace U2512 inverter
converts the 10 deep cycle lead acid batteries to AC power for the home. The
refrigerator is operated directly from the 12 VDC battery bank. A gas generator
backup; 600 Watt Whisper Wind Generator on a 50' tower. The home consist of
stress-skin panels, Low E Glass & energy efficient fluorescent bulbs through
out. Instant hot water heater (tankless), and direct bent wall furnace, both
propane. Wood stove in basement. Mr. Wager also owns and operates a Toyota Preus.
This is his second one and can not say enough good about it. Just ask him. Not to mention the beautiful views.
Mike Young Key Features: This home located in Newark New York features the latest in solar photovoltaic technology. Thirty Evergreen solar modules are the power generation of this system, with the panels’ roof mounted. The power inverter is a Sunny Boy SMA is a 6000U. Total wattage of this system is 5700 watts of grid connected power. This customer is using this solar generated power to charge his electric cars, yes you heard this right, his electric cars. THIS CUSTOMER IS ALSO OFFERING ELECTRIC CAR RIDES TO THOSE INTERESTED. Other items of interest are the electric vehicles that this collector has a Solectra electric car, and even a natural gas vehicle! Home was built in 1984 and is 1100 sq feet with a wood burning fireplace. This home also has energy CF lighting. Directions: Starting at the intersection of route 31 and route 88 in the town of Newark, head south on route 88 (towards Phelps). As you crest the large hill leading out of town near the Ultra Battery plant Silver Hill Road will be on your left. Go one mile to stop sign and then continue through. Second house on the left after the stop sign.
Special
Considerations: Driveway
parking, Stair climbing required |
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