This is the second article in a series that I am writing for The New Canaan Advertiser Online published this week which features the construction of a fascinating "green home" in New Canaan using geothermal heat. The home is nearing completion and is going to receive a very high LEED platnium rating. Click on the title above to see more pictures.
Tracking the continuing progress of New Canaan’s sustainable homeWritten by Denise Gannalo
August 31, 2009
It has been several months since I last visited this celebrated home currently under construction in New Canaan. Nate and Etta Kantor are continuing to make remarkable progress on their home and plan to move in this fall, hopefully by the end of October. As you approach the property on Trinity Pass Rd in the pastoral north area of New Canaan, you see a remarkably well sized and proportioned residence on 4.6 acres with much available space surrounding it. The home is approximately 3500 sq ft with an additional 1500 square feet of living space in the walk out lower level. The exterior design is Adirondack style with a Mission/Arts and Craft influence. It has natural siding consisting of cedar shingles which are classified FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and the trim color is forest green. There are many overhangs over the windows which shade the home from the summer sun. The exterior front door is extremely handsome and is an antique door utilizing reclaimed wood that was found at United Housewreckers. The interior floors are now installed using antique oak. The walls are amazing. The first floor walls are American Clay. The other walls are painted in natural colors using Benjamin Moore Aura line of paints which is environmentally friendly and less toxic than conventional paints. All the windows are energy rated triple pane. The sensible size still lends itself to a striking great room consisting of kitchen/dining room/living room and fireplace, a first floor master suite, 3 bedrooms on the second floor plus 2 offices and a lower level with an exercise/ playroom, family room, fireplace, pool bath with steam shower and storage rooms. The flooring in the lower level is carpeted with floor tiles made from recycled natural materials. All the countertops in the kitchen (except the center island) and bathrooms are made of Ice Stone which is recycled glass and cement and is made locally in Brooklyn, NY. The center island of the kitchen will have an antique oak counter.
Being sensitive to the environment, The Kantors designed the house to be heated by solar power. There is a large tank in the basement which holds the water to heat the house and pool. The temperature of the water is 100 degrees. The concept of the design is that the home is self sufficient with little impact on the environment. The house is part of the power grid which means it can use electric power when needed because of cold or overcast weather conditions but it will sell back to the grid when there is excess and the electric meter will run in reverse. The goal here is to net zero. The water supply to the house for bathing, drinking water, laundry and cooking is from the well but a gray water system is used for toilets except for the master bathroom which will have a compost toilet. Underground cisterns will collect rainwater for irrigation of gardens and landscaping. In the rear of the property is a very generous garden about 30x130 feet to be used for organic gardening.
This home is expected to earn more than sufficient points to qualify for platinum LEED certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a rating system from the US Green Building Council dedicated to the expansion of green building. It has emerged as the most important force in the accelerating market for green building by federal agencies.
I will continue to update the progress of this project as it gets closer to completion.
Denise Gannalo is a sales vice president at William Raveis Real Estate, located at 4 Elm Street. She has more than 26 years experience in the New Canaan real estate market. For more information, call Denise at 966-3555 or visit denisegannalo.raveis.com.
