What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
Our home is healthy because we have attempted to reflect health issues in all phases - site selection, design and construction. The main health issues we considered were MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) and EMF (electro-magnetic frequencies). The health-oriented SITE is high up in the mountains where the air is clean, well-scrubbed by the surrounding forest of many trees. The property is also far from farms that use pesticides and from sources of industrial pollution. The property is below the ridges, where EMF from cell towers, TV signals and other EMF are a stronger. Also, the low population density of and rugged terrain of Indian Camp Mountain (1200 acres with about one-half of the 65 homes permanently occupied) means mobile phone cell towers are not economic and unlikely. The health-oriented DESIGN includes many elements: (1) layout a master bedroom suite that is isolated from the rest of the house with doors and exhaust blowers and the ability to turn off all electricity when needed, a place of refuge if a chemical or EMF challenge occurs; (2) orientation faces south to maximize passive solar heating in the winter; (3) heat radiant in-floor heating to minimize circulation of dust, mold and other contaminants that often accompanies forced air heating; (4) ventilation uses separate blowers to bring in pure mountain air and exhaust stale air during the winter when opening the windows is not feasible; (5) materials natural materials, such as hardwood and tile floors; solid wood rather than plywood for sheathing, sub floor, roof and cabinets; durable water based natural finish for the floor and premium no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint; (6) heat clean propane fuel in a remote location (a shed) away from the house; (7) windows ! premium aluminum, rather than vinyl (that off-gasses) and wood (that uses preservatives and / or pesticides); (8) inert foam insulation more energy-efficient in plugging all gaps than other types of insulation and very inert; (9) termites the bait and trap system rather than toxic insecticides; and (10) central vacuum cleaner with three outlets for quick, dust-free cleaning The health-oriented CONSTRUCTION was by the owner as contractor and also as helper to carefully selected sub-contractors. Thus, the owner made decisions about materials, locations and many issues each day that affected the safety of the house from the MCS and EMF perspective. For example, the boiler was located in a shed, rather than in the crawl space. The wire was installed in the safe room before the sheetrock and tile floors were put on. Other decisions more oriented toward comfort of the house, included running the heating tubing parallel to and closer together near the outside walls, where the great heat loss takes place and spray painting the doors and walls, which is superior to brushing or rolling. Health, quality and comfort were paramount concerns. In summary, the owner sought to oversee all aspects of the site selection, house design, materials selection and construction of this home to ensure its livability. Unfortunately, a chemical reaction, possibly from a herbicides used by the power company, caused the owners to decide to sell the home. While the owners do not believe any further contamination exists at the site, it is appropriate to note this rationale for the sale of what was hoped to be their carefully built dream house.Property Description
This newly constructed red brick house is on a hill below the nearby rugged mountain ridges of the Eastern Continental Divide community, Indian Camp Mountain. The house has never been occupied and faces south toward a smaller hill with a fenced garden and orchard. The site is like a one acre oasis in a five acre heavily wooded lot that has several creeks, a ten-foot waterfall and an excellent place for a future pond. For pictures and more information, see http://healthyliving.millerfamily.info . Located less than one-half mile from the gate in this 1200-acre mountain top community, this 2500 square feet single story house is attractive for: • Retiring couples, who want to leave a major east coast or northern city, • Vacationing families, who want a mountaintop summer or weekend getaway, or • Environmentally compromised individuals, who need a healthy house. All three potential owners will be attracted by the practical layout, understated quality and comfort of this one-story house, which has beautiful white ash and tile floors. The house is large enough to have a master bedroom suite at the west end of the house and two other comfortable bedrooms at the east end. However, it is small enough to be easily maintained. The heat is from the unseen in-floor radiant tubing is very comfortable. A central vacuum system facilitates cleaning. The kitchen has a “U-shaped” food preparation area with durable and easily cleaned Corain counters. Three over-sized Corian sinks are molded into the counter, which eliminates dirt-catching crevices. On the other side of the counter peninsula is an eat-in kitchen area. Both the eating area and the double-sink have large windows that face the Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel tree lined forest that is down the hills and just far enough away so that the wind-driven trees cannot fall on the house. The vaulted ceiling in the living room creates a spacious feeling that is supplemented by recessed ceiling lighting over the entertainment area and sconces for alternative lighting. Both the living room and dining room have elegant white ash floors. The front entrance to the house is through a sitting room with a large picture window and rich green marble tile floor. Retiring couples will be attracted by the single story and a good rural location that is a great place to entertain grandchildren and their parents. Woods, creeks and a waterfall provide places to explore and for solitude. The two comfortable guest bedrooms, plus an adjacent office that can become a third bedroom provide places to stay. The living room separates the master bedroom suite from the other bedrooms, permitting privacy even when entertaining. Also, for the visionary woner, Indian Camp covenants permit a guesthouse for larger family get togethers. There are several good building sites on the five acres lot. A front sitting room provides a good view of the fenced garden and orchard with the high ridge behind is good for entertaining visitors. Two other entertainment areas are a rear patio accessible from the dining room and a heated rear sitting room with a side entrance to the parking area. The kitchen is well lit with recessed lights and can be closed from the dining room by space-saving, pocket doors when meals are being prepared. Natural finish on birch cabinets enhances the kitchen warmth. A kitchen pantry provides convenient storage for food and other items. The world can be accessed via the Internet from an office that can also be used as a bedroom. All doors are durable solid wood and were spray painted for improved appearance. Identical floor tile in the two bathrooms and powder room is coordinated with the elegant wall tile that has glazed flower and butterflies. Toilets are elongated. Quick hot water is available from all faucets. Vacationing families will be attracted by the location. It is close enough to be accessible, less than one hour from Asheville airport and less than three hours drive from many southern cities, including Atlanta and Charlotte. Yet it is remote enough to provide the solitude needed to replenish life focus in this time of fast-paced living. The house is designed to be easily maintained. This increases the available time in the house, rather than being entrapped by house and property maintenance. An exercise room in the Master Bedroom Suite could be used a nursery. The floor is very solid because the sixteen inch floor on center floor trusses (normally they are 24” on center) are further strengthened to accommodate a grand piano and file cabinets without the need for additional bracing. Environmentally compromised individuals and their families will be attracted by the “normal” appearance of the house even though it has many healthy house features. The house design and construction was for a person who is severely compromised with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and electro-magnetic frequency (EMF) sensitivities. Some of these health-oriented features follow. The house faces south, which increases the passive solar heating while also providing a good view. The in-floor, radiant heat is not only comfortable, but reduces the circulation of dust, mold and other contaminants that accompanies forced air heating. Inert foam insulation was blown in the walls, above the ceiling and under the floor, producing a very tight, energy-efficient house. When cold weather prohibits opening the premium quality, energy efficient aluminum windows to obtain pure mountain air, blowers in a ventilation system can be used to bring smaller amounts of this clean air into the house and exhaust stale air from the house. Clean, reliable propane heat fuels a boiler located in a shed that keeps fumes away from the house. All appliances are electric. An EMF-safe room in the master bedroom suite is a faraday’s cage; it has wire behind the sheet rock and under the tile floor. Natural materials were emphasized and chemical materials were largely avoided. For example, solid wood, rather than plywood or composition board were used for sheathing, for the sub floor, for the roof and for the cabinets. Aluminum windows avoid the off gassing of vinyl windows and preservatives in wood windows. The 100-year slate roof avoids off-gassing composition shingles. The brick exterior is preferable to vinyl The two bathrooms at either end of the house have shower / tub enclosures that minimize mold and dirt collecting crevices. The shower doors are quick-drain to avoid slowing drying areas. Pedestal sinks facilitate cleaning. The same insulation as in the exterior walls was also blow in bathroom walls to reduce sound. Each bathroom has a remote, powerful and quiet exhaust fan in the attic with a timer switch. The hardwood and tile floors avoid dust and mold harboring carpets. The premium water-based finish on the hardwood and no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint minimizes off-gassing. The house was designed and built with considerable attention to detail for an environmentally compromised person. For the visionary, seven other projects would enhance the property and its usability: 1. Garage the slate and trusses for the garage have already been purchased. 2. Generator install a propane or diesel generator for back-up electric power. 3. Pond a natural site for the pond is between the fenced garden and the house. 4. Green House electric power has been run to a good site in the fenced garden area. 5. Flagstone install on the front and rear walks and on the rear patio. 6. Waterfall build steps, cut a forest path and create a waterfall sitting area. 7. Guest House for children, grandchildren and friends. The visionary, of course, is likely to have other ideas to enhance the livability of this house and property. In summary, this red brick, single story house in Indian Camp Mountain has features that make it attractive to retiring couples and vacation homebuyers. However, it is especially attractive for families who have environmentally compromised members. The heat is clean and comfortable in-floor radiant. The materials are natural with minimal off-gassing. The mountain air (and water) is pure. The rugged mountain scenery is inspiring.Neighborhood Description
Indian Camp Mountain is a 1200-acre, gated, rural community in the ruggedly beautiful mountains on the Eastern Continental Divide. In the winter one house of the roughly 65 homes in this community is visible and in the summer foliage blocks the view of all homes. About half are occupied by permanent residents. Vacationers / investors own the rest. Gravel roads and a few paved roads provide access to the lots, many of which have spectacular mountain top views. Many, including this house and those close by, have creeks and waterfalls. Jim Anthony began developing Indian Camp Mountain in the 1980’s. Anthony later became well known for developing the Cliff’s at Glassy (in South Carolina, about 40 miles away) and other upscale mountain communities.Market Area
Indian Camp Mountain is about 20 miles west of Brevard, a small college town in western North Carolina. The rural beauty of the many waterfalls in Transylvania County and the Brevard music festival enhance the town’s popularity for vacation and retirement. This 1200-acre gated community is located about 2 miles north of the NC/SC border on #178 and about 5 miles south of Rosman, NC. Asheville and Hendersonville, NC and Greenville, SC can be reached by car within 90 minutes, a reasonable daily commute in most large US cities. These cities meet most shopping, cultural and other needs. Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC are about three hours away by car. The Asheville airport (about 45 minutes away) has direct flights to many cities, including New York City.School District
Community
Location of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | no |
| Industry in Area | no |
| Air Pollution in Area | no |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Hydronic Floor Heat (radiant) |
| Cooling System | Passive Cooling |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | yes |
Energy & Water
| Water System | Well |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Exterior Finish | Masonry |
| Interior Finish | Gypsum Board - Sheet Rock |
| Interior Paint | No VOC |
| Floor Material | Wood - Solid |
| Roof Material | Slate |
| Window Material | Metal Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Other |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | no |
| Garage Type | |
