Richmond, Maine

Single family 3 bedroom 2 & 1/2 bath home. Has timber frame, straw bale, passive & active PV and hot water, radiant floor, & Baxi energy systems. Design integrates openess, energy efficiency, and superior craftsmanship with handicapped accessibility.
Green HomeHealthy HomeNatural HomeAccessible HomeSustainable HomeEnergy Efficient HomePhotovoltaic (PV)
$334,000Asking Price (USD)
$3,921Annual Property Tax
$2,376Annual Utility Cost
3,204Square Feet
3 / Beds / Baths
21780 sq ftLot Size
2006Year Built
Green HomeProperty Type

Mortgage Calculator

Purchase Price ($)Down Payment
%
Loan Amount
$267,200
Annual Interest Rate
%
Loan Term (years)
Monthly Mortgage Payment
$1,923.49

What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?

This home is the result of a 5-6 year re-education of the owners including preparation and commitment to act as their own general contractor. A bibliography of source information is available. The first step was the development of design objectives which could be actively and successfully applied to the integration of efficient passive and active solar energy systems, selected architectural features and maximum use of sustainable materials. These design objectives include: •selecting contractors that inspire confidence, put quality first, perform on time and at cost estimates and are willing to explore integrative energy alternatives while encouraging and supporting the owner to work hands on •search for, selection and purchase of an in-town building site a reasonable distance from downtown amenities and which allows both passive and active solar orientation •identification of the critical features of the site prior to home design; dig test holes to identify below ground characteristics and location and depth of ledges followed by lay out of basic footprint of home in terms of set back requirements •design for passive and active solar systems, a floor plan commitment to a fully revealed timber frame with straw bale “wrap” walls which set requirements for monolithic perimeter foundation, inclusion of a radon loop, radiant floor tubing, rough plumbing, and slab floor on grade; (radon mitigation, although included did not need to be activated) •design for use of recyclable materials, minimum pre-manufactured materials, lowest VOCs and imbedded energy, interior openness, respect for privacy needs, while using principles of universal design and handicapped accessibility •personalize with aesthetic design, quality craftsmanship, local crafts and art, design for minimum environmental impact, limited water use with composting toilets, and air handling via open space and wall structures and minimum use of fans •balance heating system design with integrated energy systems with highest efficiency ratings, fuel handling ease and cost; use of pressed wood efficiency brick or blocks in the wood stoves; use of energy star kitchen appliances •meet the requirements for maximum use of state rebates and state and federal tax credits •full communication about design specifications with the local code enforcement officer and establishment of a cooperative process for approvals, permitting, and problem solving •achieve a per square foot cost of construction of $110-$120 per square foot. Based on price of $334,000.00 cost per square foot is $104.24 The timber frame was made and assembled by a timber framer from Minot, Maine of sustainably grown trees. The straw bales are a natural product which used to be considered “waste” and at times burned in the fields after the seed heads had been harvested. The straw bale sub-contractor has had extensive experience with both residential and non-residential structures. Use of concrete was limited to the perimeter monolithic foundation and radiant floor slab. Hydrolic lime plaster is used as a three layer coating for the exterior of the straw bales with two layers on the inside, the inside being left natural while the outside is finished with two coats of a breathable light green silicate dispersion paint. Two SunMar Compact composting toilets are used in one and one-half baths with the compost used to feed trees, berry bushes, and flower gardens. A low volume flush is used in the master bath. Local agricultural compost is used in the raised bed vegetable gardens. The lot and home is well situated for solar orientation with the rear facing roofs having the PV and solar hot water systems with the south side having large windows for passive solar advantage. The rear roof on the main part of the home is angled at 45 degrees, which is the optimum summer solar angle for Richmond’s latitude and contains the active PV and hot water solar systems. The south roof on the garage is angled at 50 degrees, the optimum winter angle, thus having the potential for additional solar PV. The total production of the PV system in seven years exceeds 16,000 KWH. Additional energy system performance data are available. In Feb 2014 the solar PV system was expanded with the addition of 14 new panels (now a total of 26). In addition an electrical heat element has been added to the hot water storage tank. This newly added equipment is an attempt to get closer to net zero energy use. Initial months performance have produced minimum possible electric bills as well as banked kwh's for future use in colder weather.

Property Description

Expanded property tax info: 2012-2013 $3,921 paid 1/2 in May, 1/2 in Nov. Expanded utility info: ** during 2013-2014 electric $30.00/mo; propane $122/ mo; water sewer $46/mo. High propane cost in 2013-2014 winter will be subject to modification due to 2014 expansion of the photovoltaic system by 1 and 1/2 and addition of electric element to the solar source and Baxi (propane) sourced heat exchangers in the water storage tank; objective: reduction of propane use via increased use of solar based electric; results to date in 2014 include five months of minimum bill electric use ($9.36 / mo) and banked kwh's total thru 9/2014 of 735 kwh to be used when cold weather begins…. Expanded sq ft info: main part of house is 1,749 sq ft with a loft of 148 sq ft; connecting section to garage is 308 sq ft; 2 car garage in 648 sq ft with a loft of 351 sq ft. Total usable living area is 3, 204 sq. ft. Price identified $334,000.00 is newly reduced from $350,000.00. This 3 bedroom 2 and 1/2 bath home is a full traditional timber frame with interior revealed structure, wrapped by straw bale walls in a solar orientation. This permits both passive solar features supplemented by active solar, grid tied, photovoltaic and Apricus solar hot water systems. Heat for the full radiant floor system (including garage) is furnished by the integrated solar hot water system and the propane fired high efficiency condensing boiler (Baxi Luna). The energy systems were designed, integrated and installed by ReVision Energy www.revisionenergy.com. The heating system can be supplemented by wood heat with an antique kitchen wood stove and a Vermont Castings Intrepid. The windows and sliders in the main part of the home were manufactured by Thermotech of Canada and are triple glazed. Thermotech builds their window frames of fiberglass, as fiberglass and glass have nearly the same rates of expansion-contraction, thus enhancing the quality and life of seals. There are 588 straw bales in the house walls and 332 in the garage. This produces walls that are 18 inches thick and have an estimated R Value of 50. All external straw bale walls are coated with 3 layers of hydrolic lime plaster and as well as a light green silicate dispersion breathable paint. Interior of straw bales walls are coated with two layers of hydrolic lime plaster and left in natural finish. The roof system consists of ship lapped boards exposed on the interior, with roof guard, Nudura insulation (7 inches on the house and 3 and 1/2 inches on the garage and connecting section) with strapping and steel roofing on top. The home is handicapped accessible with 3 foot wide doors, level thresholds, lever door handles, single handle faucets, pedestal bathroom sinks, and interior ramps from garage to the main house. Electrical outlets, where possible, are placed higher in the walls. Two composting toilets (Compacts by SunMar) are in use even though Richmond has town sewer and water systems. Master bath has a low volume flush and another can be converted from composting to flush. Four tenths of a mile from the home is Richmond's downtown waterfront, historic site of what was Fort Richmond. This is now a popular park with boat access to the tidal Kennebec River with tie-ups and moorings available to boat owners. Fridays in summer feature a Farmers Market and music at the Market with local farmers and performers. A major asset is access from the park to Kennebec River's Swan Island owned and maintained by the state as a wildlife refuge, historic sites, camping area, and location of eagle nests. (See photos 18-20).

Neighborhood Description

The home is on a village lot of just under one-half acre with New England style homes abutting the rear and across the three streets of the lot’s frontage. Across the street is a historic and classic gothic victorian home circa 1840’s. The extended neighborhood has homes noted for historic designs and New Englander modifications. Some were built by ship captains as Richmond ship builders were 2nd only to Bath in the number built. Streets & walks are walker, biker, and skate boarder friendly.

Market Area

Richmond, identified as a rural village, is centrally located to important commercial centers. 18 miles N is the state capital, Augusta, with its state offices, museum and library. 18 miles to the S, Brunswick, home of Bowdoin College and Maine State Music Theater. 15 miles to the E is Bath, a Maine midcoast center, and 25 miles to the W, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine’s second largest commercial center. I 295 connects N-S. A new terminus of Amtrak links Brunswick, Freeport-LL Bean, Portland & Boston.

School District

Richmond schools are part of Kennebec Intra-District Schools (KIDS) Regional School Unit 2 (RSU 2) made up of Dresden, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth, and Richmond. Schools have standards-based & learner-centered goals & objectives. Richmond schools are a K-5 elementary in its own facility & combined 6-8 middle school & 9-12 high school. Schools are viewed as community centers with a range of activities. More info & Bobcat Newsletter are on web site www.kidsrsu.org Supt: 207-622-6351 ext 401

Community

See neighborhood and market area descriptions, above. Richmond was recently identified by the State Economic and Community Development Department as one of Maine’s business friendly communities. A list of the town's business attraction features are at www.richmondmaine.com/business-richmond-maine.aspx The population within a 30 mile radius is 350,000 For more info see the town's web site or contact Victoria Boundy, Director of Community & Business Development at [email protected]

Location of Home or Land

Suburban

Elevation of Home

Other

Air Quality

Agriculture in Areayes
Industry in Areayes
Air Pollution in Areano
Pesticide Freeyes
Fragrance Freeyes
Cleaned with Green Productsyes

Interior Environment

Heating System
Solar - Active
Solar - Passive
Cooling System
Passive Cooling
Ventilation System
Other
Whole House Filtration
None
Whole House Vacuumno

Energy & Water

Energy System
Photovoltaic (PV)
Water System
Municipal
Wastewater System
Municipal

Construction Information

Exterior Finish
Plaster - Other
Interior Finish
Other
Interior Paint
No VOC
Floor Material
Concrete
Cork
Tile
Roof Material
Metal
Window Material
Other
Insulation Material
Other

Garage / Car Port

Garage / Carportyes
Garage Typeattached
Number of Cars2
Garage Area990 sqft

Contact Seller

Listing ID : 19565