MILLBROOK — Environment-friendly technologies that have been put to use will be displayed throughout the Hudson Valley Saturday.
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's fourth annual Green Building Open House will showcase houses and businesses that have been modified to include energy-efficient materials and equipment.
Friday, September 30, 2005
'Green' buildings showcased in tour
Owners promote clean energy, efficiency
By Michael Woyton Poughkeepsie Journal
MILLBROOK — Environment-friendly technologies that have been put to use will be displayed throughout the Hudson Valley Saturday.
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's fourth annual Green Building Open House will showcase houses and businesses that have been modified to include energy-efficient materials and equipment.
"This is a great way to educate people about how to look at alternative energy," said Vicki Harkness of Perry Hill Farm in Millbrook, "especially this year, with all the (price) increases in oil and gas."
Harkness' farm features 72 solar panels installed on the south-facing roof of the barn. The electricity generated is used to power a 1740s farmhouse, the barn and a couple of other buildings.
People touring the farm will be able to inspect the entire photovoltaic system and ask Harkness and her husband, Jonathan, questions.
The Harknesses also use biodiesel fuel for heat and have begun renovating their house using recycled building materials.
"You can get higher quality products by using green technologies as well as green materials," Harkness said.
"In the long run, it saves money and saves the environment," she said.
John Wright, co-owner of Hudson Valley Clean Energy, will be on hand at Darmstadt Overhead Doors in Kingston to discuss the work he did for that company.
The roof has 90 solar panels that generate 14.4 kilowatts of power.
The system, Wright said, provides 110 percent of the business' electricity needs.
"Our customers do it for the financial return," he said, "and for the huge environmental impact."
Pollution limited
By generating its own electricity, the company reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 15,000 pounds a year, Wright said.
Pasquale Strocchia and Beatrice Ehrsam renovated their 1956 ranch-style home in Highland using green technologies, including solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling and energy-efficient windows, appliances and lighting.
"We used it as an opportunity to look at the house as an entire system," Strocchia said.
The home has a fresh-air ventilation and filtration system that keeps the air from going stale. Blown cellulose and recycled cotton were used as insulation.
Strocchia said even though changes to his home cost about $135,000, the true value is different.
"The real investment was in creating an energy-efficient and healthy house," he said.
Michael Woyton can be reached at
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