National Tour of Solar Homes

New York

New York city Capital Region Long Island Upstate NY Buffalo/ Rochester region

New York City

Brooklyn

Contact Name: Tracy Fitz Phone #: 718-768-8161

Directions: 6BC Botanical Garden is at 624-628 E. 6 St., NY, NY. Take FDR Dr. South to Houston St. exit, turn right on Ave. B, turn right on 6st and park (alternate side of street parking ends at 1:30pm).

Home Information: Architect: Tracy Fitz
Builder: Tracy Fitz
Style: Botanical garden
Year built: 1997-1998
Location: Urban

Solar Features: Visitors are welcome at the garden from 11:00am to 4:00pm. There will be a World Trade Center prayer and meditation gathering from 11:00am to Noon, and a solar electric energy workshop from 1:00pm to 3:00pm Six Unisolar 64w PV panels on arbor and toolshed roof, fixed 30 degrees South, six 85 amphour deep-cycle marine batteries, 30 amp change controller, two circuit breakers with “off” switches, water pump timer. Off the grid (borrow power for tools).

Capital Region

Bolton Landing 1067 Padanaran Road

Contact Name: Bill Campbell Phone #: 518-744-0341 email:

Directions: Call for directions
Please note that this house cannot be reached the day of the tour as it is beyond cellular service or phone lines. Please call several days in advance and leave a message on the voice mail system and the homeowner will return the call with directions.

Solar Features:

Catskill 714 Potic Mountain

Contact Name: Lynn Kramer & Hal Brodie Phone #: 518-945-3641 email:

Directions: Please call owner for details. Directions vary according to where you’re coming from.

Home Information: Architect: Jo Cohen-Drager
Builder: Raimond Eng.
Construction cost compared to conventional: Same
Size: 2000 sq. ft
Year built: 1998
Location: Rural
Utility Information: 250 kW hrs./month in summer, 500 kW hrs. for coldest billing period.

Solar Features: New passive solar super insulated, 2000 sq. ft home with attached greenhouse and large masonry stove. Uses all efficient appliances, compact fluorescent lamps and Aquastar on demand water heater. Last electric bill for two months usage was $49.00. Rural location, on 30 mostly wooded acres.

Schoharie Cook Rd.

Contact Name: Jeanne Carney & Chris Ives Phone #: 518-872-1307 email:

Directions: Rt. 20 in Guilderland. Rt. 146 South. 11 miles beyond Altamont. Right on Larry Hill Rd., left on Cook Rd. 3rd house on left. For further directions call 518-872-1307

Home Information: Builder: Scott Jiusto + Jiusto Family
Construction cost: $160,000
Compared to conventional construction: higher by $20,000
Size: 3083 sq. ft. Year Built: 1987
Building style: Contemporary tri- level Location: Rural
Utilities: Wood stove only backup uses about 2 cords wood annually. Recently added oil-fired hot water/forced hot air heat for thermostatically controlled backup. Uses about 100 gal oil per year.

Solar Features: Passive Solar, with 4' Stonedust heat sink under house, R 30 insulation. Anderson double glazed casement windows. Southern glazing emphasized. Environmentally-friendly stains & finishes.

Buffalo/Rochester region

Angola Dennis Road

Contact Name: Jean Clark Phone #: 716-549-1554 email: jclark@localnet.com

Directions: From North: Rte. 5 to Sturgeon Point Rd. Rt. At stop sign, Old Lake Shore Rd., make lft. Dennis Rd. continues straight. 1st house on left after bridge.

From South: Rte. 5 to Evans Ctr. blinking light. Lft. onto Bennett Rd.. The 1st rd. on rt is Dennis. 4th house on rt. . Last house before bridge.

Home Information: Architect: Pre-designed using pre-engineered concrete form system
Builder: Self & husband Construction Cost: Variable - $56,000 and up
Compared to conventional construction: Same per sq. ft. unless you "do it yourself" - then much less.
Size: 1200 sq. ft. + 840 sq. ft garage (attached) which can be converted to living area
Year built: 1991
Building Style: Earth-sheltered/passive solar
Location: Rural/suburban

Solar Features: Passive solar. Windows and doors face South and East. Dark floors store solar heat in insulated stone mass below. Floors are warm in cold weather. All concrete in walls and ceilings insulated from the outside to maintain mass heat. Electric vehicle owner. Utilities: Heating cost averages $240/yr. Gas usage: Pay more on average per month in minimum billing (basic service charge) than for gas itself (basic charge is $16/month). Electrical usage is less than $40 per month (billed bimonthly). We use 1/3 of the average user according to our monthly statement graph. Home is very bright inside and quiet. No drafts ... even when temperatures easily maintained throughout the year. Beautiful roof with gardens. Also 70 evergreens on roof plus various bushes. Home is handicapped accessible because it is all on one floor. Plenty of storage space. Unusual layout takes advantage of the sunlight. The open space and diagonal walls create an illusion of a much bigger home.

Angola 354 Lakeside

Contact Name: David & Janet Stout Phone #: 716-549-3386 email:

Directions: Exit 57A NYS Thruway, end of ramp turn west (right) cross US 20 continue to NY 5, turn South (left) travel to next stop light then turn west (right) onto Lake (road), at end turn south (left) onto Lakeshore thru town park about 1/4 mile to Lakeside Market on left, turn West (right) onto Lakeside thru 2 large stone pillars continue to Blue Garage with 2 white doors and large concrete pad to street. House number 354 between doors near top. Park on pad or grass on left. Area on map named Angola on the Lake.

Home Information: Architect: Owner/H. Bell, Builder: Lyon Construction, Orchard Park. Construction cost: $330,000
Compared to conventional construction: higher, mostly due to unusual materials & special subsystems (i.e. indoor swim-spa), not related to energy efficiency and renovation. Size: House: 30' x 36' 1st floor; 22' x 34' 2nd floor; Garage: 28' x 26'
Year renovated: 1990-50% addition on first floor plus complete update.
Building style: Dutch Colonial Location: Rural (Lake Erie shore)
Utility Info: Gas & electric are 2/3 of typical houses based on gas & electric company records.
Open floor design with significant Lake facing glass and stone outside air fire place, new exterior insulated cellar and floor, active solar domestic hot water system, energy efficient lighting throughout, super insulated walls, windows and doors, timer exhaust fans and preprogrammed computer directed microwave oven. House shared by 2 cats and ozinated indoor swim spa. Separate garage requires no heat, never below 33 degrees F.

Solar Features: Home has radon-proof floor drains, domestic solar active hot water, and R10 windows w/ heat mirror/ argon . Phenolic foam insulation board in exterior walls, styrene under cellar floors and outside exterior walls. Electronic air cleaner and 92% efficient gas furnace. Electronic and compact fluorescent lighting, skylight in kitchen. Flow control washers in showers. Owner made thermal roman shades for all but south glass.

Avon 290 Genesee Street

Contact Name: Bill LaBine Phone #: 716-226-8521 email: www.renewableenergyworks.com

Directions: Street parking Stair climbing required

From I-390 (about 10 miles south of Rochester) take Rts 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 (west) side of the street about 0.5 miles from the traffic circle.

Home Information: Year Built: ca. 1899
Size: 1800 sq. ft. + 575 sq. ft. passive solar addition under construction.
Building Style: Victorian
Location: Village
Utility: 1st net metered PV system in Niagra Mohawk territory. We sell more electricity than we buy.

Solar Features: 3000 watts of utility-intertied PV. Solar Hot Water (panels installed, awaiting plumbing), solar hot air (panels installed, awaiting “plumbing”), passive-solar addition features super-insulation, super windows, thermal mass (tile floor), window quilts.Come visit to see how energy conservation and renewable energy can be incorporated into virtually any home. Snacks and beverages provided.

Belmont 3441 Irish Settlement Rd.

Contact Name: Brian Nadworny & Diana Pryntz Phone #: 716-268-5019 email:

Take a virtual tour of this house at Brian and Diana's website.

Directions: Please call for details & directions.

House is easily accessible from the road. It is not wheel chair accessible. We do have dogs & cats - very friendly. Driveway & parking available by the house and on the road.

Home Information: Architect: David Arkin of Arkin-Tilt Architects - Albany, CA
Builder: Owners
Cost Comparison: Costly due to high insulation & triple pane windows
Size: 40’ diameter dome
Building Style: Modified dome (geodesic dome)
Year Built: Started renovations from dome shell in 1998
Location: rural
Utility Info: Electric bill $280/yr for 3400 sq.ft. includes power tools & laundry for 4 kids.

Wood burning stove as back-up heat. Cost approximately $350/year to supplement the solar heat.
On-demand water heater and composting toilets.

Solar Features: Off-grid. 24-75watt panels w/16-6 volt, 370 amp hour Deka batteries
Large windows face south, use rocks for thermal mass.

E. Aurora 2081 Four Rod Rd.

Contact Name: Carl & Gail Berger Phone #: 716-655-1809 email: csberger@earthlink.net

Directions: From the town of Alden: Take Rt 20 west to Four Rod Road and turn left (south). Travel 4.3 miles, the house is on the left.

From the town of East Aurora: Take Main St (Rt 20A) east. In the town of Wales Center turn left on Four Rod Road. Travel 4.4 miles, the house is on the right.

The house number, 2081, is on the mailbox.

Home Information: Architect: Owner
Builder: Owner
Cost comparison: Less than other new homes due to extensive labor of friends, family and homeowners.
Building Style: Earth sheltered ranch.
Year Built: 1982
Location: Rural
Utility Info: Electricity purchased averages 300-350 kWh/month. Natural gas purchase for heat, cooking, hot water, & clothes dryer $750 for 1999, $680 for 2000.

This home is in a rural setting and illustrates many features that could be included in new or remodel construction. Extensive use of fluorescent lighting and other energy conserving features can be seen. The windmill is mounted on a 120 ft guyed tower and supplies between 25 & 35% of the electrical needs of the house. This home was designed, built, and continues to be lived in by your hosts, Carl and Gail Berger.

Solar Features: Earth sheltered home built in 1982. Utility connected (no batteries) 4 kW electric generating windmill installed in 1985. Insulating window quilts on large south facing windows. Triple glazed electrically operated clerestory windows for summer ventilation and provides day lighting to back of house.

Friendship 5849 Cemetery Hill Road

Contact Name: Ronald & Gloria Lundberg Phone #: 716-268-5431 email:

Directions: From exit 30 off Route 17, take 19 South to Belmont Center. Before traffic light, take sharp right (Norton St.) stay on until you come to a cemetery (Cemetery Rd.). Go about 2 miles. Look for a sign on left (Lundberg) homeowner will have made a big yellow smiley face marker to mark home location.

Home Information: Construction/Renovation Costs: $90,000-$100,000 Compared to Conventional Construction: Similar
Size: 2700 SH ft Year Built: 1980-1985 Year Renovated: 1994, ongoing Building Style: 2-story Slope Cape Location: Rural. Artist Studio, sculptor & painter, would not go back to city (NY & Philly). The view is great, secluded, 30 acres of woods, "nicely isolated." 300 lb. propane tank, just changed to 500 lb. $750 for propane/ yr. . 15 cords of wood/yr. $600/yr. for 18 cords annually. Ceiling has 12" blown cellulose fiber; 6" stud construction all around with blown cellulose fiber.

Solar Features: Off grid. 1000 watt wind generator, passive solar, 8 PV panels on tracker; 60% glazing on south side and glazed area on east side for early morning sun in spring and fall; 2 wood stoves (hearth stones), propane heater, propane gas stove, propane refrigerator, propane hot water heater, 2500 watt inverter, lights on 12 volt, Honda gas generator (not used often), TV, computer, kitchen appliances, power tools in the shop run off AC from inverter.

Honeoye Falls 215 Scofield Road

Contact Name: Nancy Allinger and Duane Basch Phone #: 716-624-2382 email:

Directions: Take Rt. 65 (Clover Street) to Rt. 251. Take Rt. 251 west approx. 1 mile to Plains Road. Take left on Plains Road (south) approx. 1 mile to Scofield Road. Turn right on Scofield Road to #215 on the left.

Home Information: Architect: Martha Gates
Builder: Marshall Gates III Construction cost: $220,000
Compared to conventional construction: Higher by $25,000
Size: 2500 sq. ft. Year Built: 1995
Building Style: Contemporary Location: Rural
Utility Info: Off the electricity grid for at least 3 1/2 years. Avg gas bill about $10. Use about 1/6 the electricity of conventional home

Solar Features: 18 Solarex 60 watt photovoltaic panels Whisper 900 watt wind generator
16 L-16 deep cycle batteries Solar hot water system - Aquastar tankless hot water heating system to provide backup to solar hot water Backup house heating via radiant floor heat system using water-filled tubing in floors on both levels. No utility electric used in almost 31/2 years! House built into knoll using earth as a temperature moderator. Compact fluorescent lighting used throughout the house. Recycled, recyclable and low environmental impact products were used during construction to the extent possible (e.g. aluminum siding, Glidden Spread 2000 paints (low VOC), finger jointed wood trim).

Webster 1170 Frawley Drive

Contact Name: Doug Stockman & Marietta Cutrone email: dstockman@pol.net

Directions: From Rochester: Take 104E. Exit at Phillips Rd. Head south on Phillips to end. Turn left. Take 1st right onto Frawley Drive. We are the last house on Frawley (look for the windmill).

From the East: Take 104W. Exit at Salt Rd. Head South. Take a right on State Road. Frawley Drive is first left after Harris Rd. We are the last house on Frawley (look for the windmill).

Home Information: Architect: MCH Collaborative (Pat Morabito)
Builder: Marshall Gates
Comparison Costs: 20% higher than conventional.
Size: 2100 sq.ft.
Building Style: Cape Cod & Salt Box variant
Location: semi-rural
Utility Info: Electricity usage: summer, 120/kWh/month - winter, 180 kWh/month.
Natural gas: 15 therms/summer months, 50 therms/winter months

Passive solar home that looks just like a typical suburban subdivision house.

Solar Features: Passive solar w/spancrete main floor as thermal mass. Structural insulated panels. Heat recovery unit. Wood stove, gas fired boiler, for hot water & radiant floor heat Four 72w PV panels 3 kWh wind turbine (Whisper 175 on 105 ft tower).

Upstate NY

Adams 10272 Wright St. Rd.

Please note: The Wetterhan home is also a part of a self-guided tour that includes other homes in the region. Please refer to the guided tour page for more information.

Contact Name: Joseph and Denise Wetterhahn Phone #: 315-232-3547 email:

Directions: Interstate 81 to Adams/Henderson Exit #42; Left on to Church Street; straight through only traffic light in Adams; Left on to Wright St. Rd (at edge of village); approx. one mile on right, brown
house on hill (10272), light green mail box, steep driveway.

Home Information: Architect: Bruce Brownell, Adirondack Alternative Energy, Edinburgh, NY
Builder: North Country Construction, Philadelphia, NY
Construction cost compared to conventional: 10-15% higher.
Size: 3850 sq.ft.
Style: Modern
Year Built: 2000
Location: Rural
Utility information: 5 face cords of wood used as back-up during first full winter

Solar Features: Passive solar house. 80% of energy to heat comes from sun; super-insulated 6-sided envelope with R-values of R-38; thermal mass system keeps temp even; south side has highest % of glass, oriented to sun; sunny, bright rooms; small fan at base of central air shaft circulates air through grid work of pipes in concrete slab and then up to vents in each room. General considerations: relative humidity levels of 45-50%; minimal drafts; air filtered 3x/hr (keeps down dust); house will never freeze, can leave empty all winter!; must have back-up heat source if no sun for 1-2 days.

Jay Straight Rd

Contact Name: Gregory Claude Fetters Phone #: 518-946-2679 email:

Directions: From Route 9 north in upper Jay, NY proceed east on Trumbulls Corner Road 7/10 of mile, take a left on Valley Road 7/10 of a mile, take a right on Straight Road go 7/10 of a mile, take a left on gravel driveway 4/10 of a mile to house.

Home Information: Architect: Bruce Brownell, Adirondack Alternative Energy, Edinberg, NY Builder: R. T. Aubin Contracting Construction or Renovation cost: $200,000
Compared to conventional construction: $20,000 higher
Size: 2000 sq. ft. Year Built: 1993
Building Style: Chalet Post & Beam
Location: Rural
Utility Info: Electric $50/month summer, 150/month winter + 4 cords of wood

Solar Features: Passive solar design, super-insulated, wood stove, 200 sq. ft. of south facing windows, 1 ft thick concrete heat energy battery (thermal mass storage). Supplied by whole house air handling system. Home is used only on weekends, however, approx. 90 percent of heat requirement is supplied by wood stove and solar. Post and Beam structure with soaring cathedral ceilings lets in the sun and views of Whiteface Mountain. Set on 140 acres of timber and meadows.

N Bangor 87 Walkerville Rd.

Contact Name: Tim McCarthy Phone #: 518-483-9875 email: barkeatr@westelcom.com

Directions: From Malone New York: travel on rt 11B west approximately 5 miles to the town of Bangor, at the only four corners in town turn left on to Skerry Road. Continue on Skerry road approx 2 1/2 miles stay straight onto Walkerville Rd. Pass one house on the left, pass the Lemay Rd. on the left and the next house on the left is ours. House is stone and can be seen from the road.

Home Information: Architect-Tim McCarthy Architect
Builder-Tim McCarthy Architect
Construction Cost-approx. 95,000
Compared to conventional construction-20,000
Size-1950 square feet
Year Built-1995-1999+
Building Style-3’ slipformed stone walls with “timber” frame type construction using plywood box-beams
Location-Rural

Solar Features: -the house demonstrates proper solar orientation and spread out in the east and west direction to gather solar heat. Deep overhangs prevent spring and fall overheating. Glazing consists of standard casement windows for the operating units and site built frames. The inner stone wall provides thermal mass to soak up spikes in temperature from the solar gain. Home currently occupied while finish work is completed. Owner designed/built home constructed without mortgage over a 4+year period. House is strongly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian style combined with a “railroad style” brackets and roof shape. Slab on grade construction and 3 ft thick double Wythe stone walls are combined with a shallow frost protected foundation. Radiant heating tubes in the floor slab are supplied with hot water by a hot water heater and coils in a 9,000 pound masonry heater. Domestic hot water is also obtained from the same hot water heater and masonry heater. The house is designed around the masonry heater and bake oven option.

West Chazy 3209 Military Turnpike

Peter & Eileen Allen Phone #: 518-493-2908 email: petenei@yahoo.com

Directions: From Exit 37 (Plattsburgh) Rt. 87 (Northway) go West one mile on Rt. 3. At the intersection of Rt. 3 and Rt. 190 (Military Turnpike) go North. Our driveway is 6 mi. North of the Rt. 190/Rt. 374 intersection on the West side of Rt. 190 (the driveway is nearly opposite the Recore Road which has a sign directing travelers to West Chazy). The driveway is 1/4 mile long and dirt and is traversable by ordinary passenger cars.

Home Information: Builder: Peter & Eileen Allen Construction Cost: $60,000
Compared to conventional construction: same Size: 1600 sq. ft. Year built: 1985
Building style: Geodesic Dome Location: Rural
Utilities: The only utility bill is for just over 100 gallons of propane per year-propane which is used for cooking.

Solar Features: Double shell super insulated Wood fired thermosiphon floor slab heating (hot water). Passive (no electric) Refrigeration. Hydro electric & solar electric independent power system. Hot water (domestic-heated from surplus of independent power system). Peter & Eileen Allen live in a double-shelled partially earth sheltered geodesic dome. The independent power system consists of a 400 watt photovoltaic panel (solar cells) and a 200 watt hydroelectric system which charge a battery bank. Concrete floors are heated by a wood-fired boiler and hot water is circulated through the slab by thermosiphon. Domestic hot water is heated in the summer by an electric element powered by surplus hydroelectric power and in the winter with the wood-fired boiler-Refrigeration is achieved by freezing a block of ice in place during the winter. Pete & Eileen attempt to maintain a low-impact, comfortable and enriching lifestyle.

West Chazy 366 Murtagh Hill Road

Contact Name: Rob & Jaki Roy Phone #: 518-493-7744 email:

Directions: From South: Take I-87 to exit 37 at Plattsburgh. At bottom of ramp, turn L and go 1 mi west on Rt 3. Turn R at light at State Rt 190(Military Turnpike) Ever- green bank is on R corner. Proceed NW on 190 about 8.5 mi. At top of first hill since leaving Plattsburgh, look for the Earthwood Building School sign on R side of hwy. Opposite Earthwood sign, turn left onto Murtagh Hill Rd. Go 1.7 mi up Murtagh Hill Rd and turn R into driveway, marked with another Earthwood sign. From the (North) go to exit at 37 and proceed as from the South.

Home Information: Property Name: Earthwood Building School
Architect: Rob Roy Builders: Rob & Jaki Roy Construction Cost: $22,000
Compared to conventional: lower about 1/4 of convention z 1
Size: 2000 sq ft House Diam. 38'8"
Year Built: 1981-82
Building Style: Round, two-story earth sheltered Cordwood masonry house Location: Rural

Solar Features:10 ARCO M75 (Siemens) panel. Whisper 600 Wind plant on 110’ tower. 23-ton Masonry Stove. Earth-roofed and Earth-sheltered. Round Shape (Most efficient). 16 inch thick Cordwood Masonry Walls. Bicycle-powered water pump.

Rob & Jaki Roy, operate the Earthwood Building School and an alternatives bookstore out of the home. Send a stamped business env. for an 8-p. book list & workshop brochure. (366 Murtagh Hill Rd, West Chazy, 12992). Utility Bills: We are off the grid, so electric bills are limited to improvements to our wind and solar systems about $100/yr for batteries. We spend about $600/yr on propane gas for water heating, refrigeration, cooking, etc. 60% of the home above grade is made of Cordwood masonry construction, whereby walls are composed of short logs-called "log-ends"-laid width wise in the wall like firewood. Below grade construction is of 16" thick surface-bonded concrete block walls. The roof is earth. Over the past 15 years, the avg. fuel consumption for heating has been 3-1/4 full cords of wood per year. We buy hardwood slabs from the sawmill and can heat the home for less than $100 per year. The house has been featured in several books and national magazine articles, including Mother Earth News, Green Living and Back Home.

West Chazy 85 Natures Way

Contact Name: John Schulz and Deborah Light Phone #: 518-493-7021 email:

Directions: From exit 37 of I 87, Plattsburgh, NY Turn left at light at bottom of exit ramp. This is Rt 3- go one mile west on Rt 3 to St rte 190 ( Military Turnpike) Turn right (North) on 190 and travel 8.5 miles to the murtagh Hill road on your left (one half mile past recore rd to w Chazy) Turn left onto Murtagh Hill rd. and go 1.4 miles up the hill to a row of 4 or 5 mailboxes on right. Turn right here (natures; way- unmarked) and go about 5/10 of a mile to the third house on the left.

Home Information: self built log-cabin
Year built: 1980
Location: Rural

Solar Features: off the grid propane for cooking and fridge 8 PV panels, wood heat. Charming log cabin in wooded setting with stream and foot bridge.

Vermontville Paye Rd.

Contact Name: John & Terri Houghton Phone #: 518-891-6239 email:

Directions: Follow Rt 3 west from Plattsburg to Vermontville or Rt 3 east from Saranac Lake. Swinyer Road is on the right just after Gene’s Grocery if heading west. If heading east it is on the left before Gene’s Grocery. Turn on Swinyer Road and go ..9 miles to second road on the right (Paye Road). Turn here. Blacktop road turns into dirt road. Go all the way to the end of road and bear right at the end follow drive way across field until you come to the house.

Home Information: Architect & Builder: Owners
Construction cost: $37,000 Compared to conventional construction: Lower
Size: 1440 Sq. Ft. 28’ x 30’
Year built: 1985-89
Building style: Log
Location: Rural

Bills - gas for hot water, cooking and gas dryer equals $250 per year. Kerosene for heater equals $70 per year.

Solar Features:12 Seimens M75 solar panels wired together to form a 576 watt array, Whisper 3000 watt wind generator, 12 Trojan L16 batteries wired for 24 volts with 1100 amp hour storage capacity. AC power is provided by a Trace 2424 inverter. 12 volt electricity provided through a new Mar converter. 24 volt is wired direct. Charge regulation is through a Enermaxer charge control.
Recently constructed a straw-bale barn. Our house is off-the-grid with solar and wind providing all our power with a gas generator for back-up. We heat our house with wood. The design of the house keeps it cool in the summer. Water is heated with an instantaneous hot water heater.
Our home was built by a husband and wife team. The foundation for our house is a full stone basement built with stones from an old dry stacked foundation on our land. Also built into the basement is a 3000 gallon cistern. The logs for house were harvested from our land. The corners of the house use the saddle notch for stacking of logs. All floor joist are hand hewn and notched into place. All gaps between logs are chinked with Permachink. Inside the house is a stone chimney with a wood stove and wood-gas combination cookstove.

Vermontville End of Paye Rd.

Contact Name: Donna Foley & James Brush Phone #: 518-891-6216 email:

Directions: Follow Route 3 west from Plattsburg (30 miles) or east from Saranac Lake (10 miles) to Vermontville. Swinyer Road is on the right, just after Gene’s Grocery if coming from the east and on the left just before the Franklin town hall if coming from the west. Turn here and go .9 miles to the 2nd right turn which will be Paye Road. Go to the very end and bear left. You will come into our field with our wind generator. Follow the drive to the log house on the hill.

Home Information: Property name: Rolling Thunder Farm
Architect & Builder: Owners
Construction cost: $40,000
Compared to conventional construction: Lower because of owner built Size: 1800 Sq. Ft. Year Built: 1984-89 Building style: Log Home
Location: Rural
We are completely off-the-grid with our system providing most of our electrical needs with a back-up generator mainly for the late fall. The logs of our home provide a good thermal mass for heating with a combination wood and fuel oil.

Solar Features:1000 watt Whisper wind generator, 8 Siemens SP-75 and 4 Arco M-75 solar panels making up a 750 watt array. Battery bank consists of 12 Trojan L-16 batteries with a total storage capacity of 1100 Amp hours. The house has passive solar design features as well. Our system provides electricity for lights, stereo, deep well water pumping, TV, computer, and spinning machine.

We built our log home over a period of five years. Being 1 1/2 miles from the grid, we have used various alternative energy systems until we have evolved into our present one which we are pretty happy with. Our wind generator needed to be placed about 700 ft from our house to provide optimum running. We are very pleased with our hybrid system. The sun and wind complement well in the northeast.

Vermontville Swinyer road

Contact Name: Nancy Bernstein Phone #: 518-891-5212 email:

Directions: Follow Rt. 3 west from Plattsburg (30 miles) or east from Saranac Lake (10 Miles) to Vermontville. Swinyer Road is on the right just after Gene’s Grocery if coming form the east and on the left just before the Franklin Town Hall if coming from the west. Turn here and follow for 1.2 miles. Driveway is on the left just after 2 black mailboxes with a pink flamingo. Continue 1/4 mile bearing left at the fork in the driveway.

Home Information: Architect & Builder: Self
Construction cost: $35,000
Compared to conventional Construction: Lower because it was self-built
Size: 860 Sq. Ft. Year built: 1994
Building Style: Salt Box
Location: Rural

Solar Features:3 used Arco tripanels totalling 270 watts of power mounted on the south wall of the house (also providing shade in summer to southfacing windows downstairs). The battery bank consists of 6 Trojan T-105 batteries at 1350 amp-hours and wired for 12 volts. A Trace 2412 inverter produces 110 volt AC which feeds a conventional service panel. An Onan 4000 watt generator used in buildings provides back-up power (used approximately 10 hours per winter). Wood heat with propane space heater back-up (10,000 btu), use 5-6 face cords per year (cut from property) and rarely need propane heat. Propane refrigerator, on demand hot water heater (Aquastar) and cooking range use approximately 120 gallons per year at $1.63/gallon. Drilled well at 280 feet with pump powered by solar system. Local utility cost is approximately $.13/watt.

Central/Finger lakes region

Belmont Pollywogg Holler Ecolodge 6242 South Road

Contact Name: Bill & Barb Castle Phone #: 716-268-5819 email: stay@pollywoggholler.com

Directions: From points east of Route 86 or Route 17(Rt 17is now I-86): Head west on the Southern Tier Expressway or Route 17. Get off at exit #32 West Almond. The end of the ramp is a tee. Go left down the hill. You will pass under the Expressway. The first building on the left is a gray metal town barn. Just past the Town barn make a left. Go straight ahead and you will see two gravel roads on the left. Take South Road for about 2 1/2 miles. Look for the old Hay field converted into an Art Sculpture Park on the right.

Home Information: Architect and Builder: William Castle
Construction and Renovation cost: $1500 in 1976 Compared to Conventional Construction: Much Lower Size: 20 ' x 30'
Year Built: 1976
Building style: Log Location: Rural
At Pollywogg Holler Ecolodge Bed & Breakfast 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 compostable recycling system, organic gardening and gravity fed spring water. Timber and stone, stained glass windows, sky lights and delightful wood carvings adorn every corner of this rustic paradise. Work of over 100 artists is displayed along the trails that lead to the main lodge which is accompanied by a Finnish style family sauna.

Solar Features: Passive solar, Photovoltaics for lighting, music and fans, Composting toilet (Clivus Multrum, owner built), raised bed gardens utilizing lawn clipping compost.

Berkshire (Slaterville Springs) 220 Yaple Road

Contact Name: Steve & Cindy Nicholson Phone #: 607-539-6923 ( Cindy) email: scnfish@clarityconnect.com

Directions: From the west: Take Rt. 79 East out of Ithaca to Slaterville Springs. Continue on 79 for 3 miles from "convenient store". Turn right on Level Green Road. Bear right at 1.8 miles on to Yaple Road. 1.1 miles to driveway, right up the hill.

Home Information: Builder: Steve & Cindy Nicholson
Construction cost: $50,000
Size: 1800 sq. ft.
Year Built: 1989
Year renovated: Addition in 1997 Building style: Post and Beam Location: Rural
Utility Information: 100% off grid. We use less than 3kW/day using energy-efficient appliances. Energy bill is $20/month for propane. this 1/10 of the average electrical use for our area. We heat with wood and use propane for hot water and cooking. Original post and beam timber framed cabin (16 x 20) built with no power tools using timbers logged off property. Laid-up stone foundation. Addition (22 x 28) used more conventional construction methods but still post and beam. Beautiful south facing views. Open floor plan with large south facing windows. Home is set at the edge of woods. Steve and Cindy Nicholson live there with their sons Eric & Neil. Utilities: Woodstove, primary heating, backup vented kerosene heater, lots of solar gain via south facing windows. Cooking and hot water by LP. Spring supplies water for gravity system. 600 watt whisper wind generator.

Solar Features: Stress-skin panels, south facing glass, open plan, gravity water supply, 600 watt solar array, eight 12 volt deep cycle batteries, 2 trace 1500 watt inverters. Vestfrost refrigerator, Staber washing machine, compact floor AC lighting, Aquastar tankless hot water heater, Brown gas range.

Cincinnatus 281 Lum Rd.

Contact Name: Allen Lum Phone #: 607-863-4281

Directions: Take Rt. 23 east from Cincinnatus about 5 miles. Turn south (right) on Bently Rd. (turns to dirt quickly) - travel about 1 mile and turn right on Lum Road. Go to the end of the road. (1 mi)

Park on the lawn or along the road, usually no lumber trucks on Saturday.

Home Information: Builder: Skyline Manufacturers
Size: 14’ x 52’
Building Style: Mobile Home
Year Built: 1988 set on cement pillars (carport & porch added).
Utility Info: No utility costs (except gas refrigerator & kitchen stove. Use firewood catalytic stove about 7 face cords/yr. In woods and on N slope. Mobile home in use 12 yrs. Wood stove for heat & to heat water. Solar package 1/10 cost of high line hook up. Obtained by grant from Energy Dept. Retired over 65. 10 points to qualify. Kept records. (Neighbor has panels on a pole 1 yr.)

Solar Features: 600 W PV system off-grid system
5 KW gas generator backup as needed in operation about 4 years.
8 PV Panels on power house
8 deep cell batteries
Siemens inverter
Use solar hot water bag
have caframe fan to circulate woodstove heat.
Mini waterwheel - needs more water to function, but water is used to water the garden.

Middlesex 5236 Dunton Road

Contact Name: Ray Wager Phone #: 716-554-4236 email:

Directions: From Rushville, go south on Rt 247 to top of hill (appx 2 miles). Turn right (west) on Dunton Rd. and proceed appx 1 3/4 miles to 5236. House & wind generator visible on hill, west side of road.

Home Information: Architect: Owner Builder: Wing Homes
Compared to conventional construction: About the same; maybe 10% higher Size: 30' x 36 '
Year Built: 1993 Building Style: Ranch Location: Rural
Utility Info: Telephone is only utility. Budget approximately $200/year for battery replacement every 10-15 years.

Solar Features: -900 watts, mounted on 4” steel pipe frame that can be turned on a horizontal axis to maximize solar rays as the seasons change. 10 deep cycle lead acid batteries, gas generator backup; 600 W Whisper Wind Generator on 50’ tower. House built 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. 12 VDC refrigerator.

Odessa 3250 Texas Hollow Road

Contact Name: Wayne O’Brien & Mary Hayes-O’Brien Phone #: 607-227-1474

Directions: Rt 224 to Odessa. Look for yellow blinking light. Turn north onto Mill St. by the post office/ice cream stand. Go over ravine/bridge. Turn left at the “T”. Take first right onto Texas Hollow Rd and head up hill. Go past blue new water tank (on right). 1/2 mile or so down, turn left (intersection of Newtown & Texas Hollow). The house is on the right 2.4 miles from that intersection & is not visible from road. The tree at the north end of driveway has “3250” fire # on it. Posted signs say Hayes & O’Brien. It is 1/3 mile down driveway to house. We will put up a sign at the end of our driveway to help people find Us!

We have 2 large dogs. People who are afraid of dogs should either not come or should call in advance. They are people loving dogs, but their size can be overwhelming.

Home Information: Architect: Woodhouse, PA
Builder: Woodhouse, PA
Cost Comparison: It would have cost us appx. $25,000 to hook up to NYSEC (we are 2 miles from the nearest utility line), so we used the $25,000 for the solar system instead.
Building Style: Post & Beam w/radiant floor, 2 story
Year Built: 1996-1997
Location: Rural - very
Utility Info: Propane - $50/month, gas for generator - $200/yr; wood stove - 2 cords/yr

Solar Features: Shingles - we love them! We operate our entire home from this system and have appliances that you would find in a regular home. We have a back-up generator that is used in winter. Our home is located in a glacial hollow so our days are shorter than the average day and our system still works incredibly well!

Penn Yan 3450 Adams Road

Contact Name: James and Nancy Jameson Phone #: 315-536-9105 email:

Directions: From Penn Yan, take Rt364 appx 1/4 mile, turn left on Canty House Rd, follow this appx 2 miles, turn right on Adams Rd. Go straight thru stop sign, house on the right.

Home Information: Architect: Self
Builder: Self
Cost comparison:
Size: Top floor - 1180 sq. ft.
Building Style: Ranch w/a day-lit basement
Year Built: 1994
Location: Rural
Utility Info: Propane cost appx $200/yr
Wood heat

Solar Features:
1 Air 403 Wind Turbine
Trace Sine Wave Inverter 2624 24 volt system to 2600 w.ac. Some DC lights, DC well pump, gas stove & tankless hot water.

Penn Yan 3062 Baldwin Rd.

Contact Name: Judson & Debbie McCarthy Phone #: 315-536-0181 email:

Directions: From Penn Yan - north on 364 to Briggs Rd. Turn right on Briggs Rd. to Petersburg Rd. Right on Petersburg Rd to #3062 (on left).

Home Information: Architect: 84 Lumber
Builder: Owner & family (hired out basement & septic work)
Cost Comparison: $50,000 (house pkg, basement, septic & power)
Size: 1412 sq.ft.
Building Style: 1 1/2 story saltbox
Year Built: 1998
Location: Rural
Utility Info: Propane 1st year - $850, 2nd year $1,100 (due to price increase). Propane used for refrigerator, stove, hot water, heat, & clothes dryer.

Solar Features:
Inverter: Trace 3600 watt
Batteries: 16 golf car “880 AH”

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