New construction. We're using S.I.P. [structurally insulated panel] construction on the basement (which is a walkout and main level walls and roof). We are off-grid and use solar to charge batteries and a propane gen to back up when needed. The lights are 12 volt cfl's, we run our TV, comp, and any 120 volt through an inverter off the 12 volt system. When the water pump runs it starts the gen. The heat is a propane gas fireplace for the main floor, the basement floor has wirsbo tube which is heated from a wood fired boiler in the unattached garage if we need to. The gen. is air cooled and is in the garage so when it runs it heat the garage with its cooling so that is Co-generation, the cooking will be gas as well as the refg.
Estimated Cost: $300,000
Start Date: 2/2/06
End Date: Fall '08
More Info: We are S.I.P builders and work on our own home in our sparetime.