What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
There is minimal use of conventional power sources and maximum use of renewable energy to heat and cool the house. The house is exceptionally well insulated and in an average winter burns only about 3 cords of wood. Electric bills average about $800 a year. Due to its siting and construction there is little need for mechanical air conditioning. Water is from the property's well which has its own water filtration/purification system. When there is the occasional power outage the standby generator supplies sufficient power to run the house and appliances.Property Description
.The property is located in the Perry Valley section of Perry County. The valley runs roughly 10 miles east to west from the Susquehana to the Juniata River. The region is rural and agrarian, characterized by large family farms and small clusters of residences. Some of these farms started when an ancestor received land in lieu of money for service in the Revolutionary War.
The house was built in 1994, but was extensively remodeled after 2005 when the present owners took possession. The focal points of the house are the great room and the decks. The great room has a beamed cathedral ceiling with clerestory windows which overlook the 1000 sq. ft. decks and back meadow. The decks contain a 200 gal. hot tub. The view from the great room and decks is of a meadow which slopes south down to a pond and small stream. Across the stream is forest and beyond that a large hill that is farmed.
The long axis of the house is east to west with the great room, decks, greenhouse, sun room and west bedroom facing south. The east end of the house can be used as a separate guest suite complete with full shower bathroom. The house has a laundry/utility room that contains a built in work bench and storage cabinets.
The house was designed to take advantage of the insulating/cooling properties of the terrain by partially building the north wall into the hillside. Above ground windows across the north wall give views of the upper gardens and pine grove. There is usually a steady air flow across the property which provides good cross-ventilation throughout the house as all walls have windows. Ceiling fans provide air circulation and, particularly in the colder months, a steady flow of warm air throughout.
Aside from solar, the primary source of heat is through 2 wood stoves: one in the great room and one at the east end. The home does have back-up electric base board heating but the owners have never had occasion to use it.
There are extensive ornamental plantings surrounding the house and the entry driveway. A raised bed vegetable garden complex is located about 50' north of the house and is easily accessed. A hydrant was installed near the beds to facilitate watering. Using Earth Box type planters much of the perimeter of the decks becomes another vegetable garden. 2 asparagus beds abut the house as does a pea patch. Last summer's crops produced some 700 onions, 98 lbs of potatoes, 15 lbs of asparagus, 75 quarts of tomato products and 6 quarts of blueberries. The in-ground root cellar is a convenient way to store the garden produce. Local farms and farmers' markets provide a large variety of produce at reasonable prices. The property is zoned rural thus permitting raising small livestock and fowl.
The property is managed to attract wild life and maintain the ambiance of rural living. There are healthy populations of deer, fox and turkey that range across the lower meadow. The meadow contains a small fruit tree orchard that has been left to grow wild. Deck feeders attract many kinds of songbirds and woodpeckers. Twice a year there are "goose days" as migrant Canada geese fly overhead to their respective northern and southern refuges. There are a number of Bald Eagle nesting pairs in the area and they fly over the property as they commute between the two rivers. Great Blue herons often spiral down to the pond to search for aquatic prey. Night skies are dark allowing good star gazing.Neighborhood Description
A cluster of 11 houses on lots ranging 3 to 30 acres surrounded by large farms and forest. The houses are built on the slope of a south facing ridge and bracket a lighty used county road. The neighborhood is a comforting combination of nearby houses and privacy. The closest neighbor is 100 yds away. Neighbors are a mix of professionals, teachers, retirees, and private sector/government executives/supervisors. There are children ranging in age from infants to college age.Market Area
Millerstown is 4 miles SW. It provides banking, postal service and limited dining/infrastructural service. Newport is 6 miles SE and is a regional mercantile center. It includes a shopping center, public library, and regional art gallery. Other major cities are: Wash. DC 155 miles; Phil. 140; Pittsburgh 200; Baltimore 110; Carlisle 35. Major hospitals in the local area are sited in Harrisburg, Carlisle and Hershey.School District
Greenwood Township. Grade, middle and high school. The school complex is in Millerstown. It is considered one of the better school districts in the state. The district encompasses the greater Millerstown area and adjoining parts of Juniata County. Several of the neighbors teach there.Community
The Newport/Millerstown area is an active civic, volunteer, family, school and church oriented community. Present are The Lions Club, Moose, Grange, Millerstown Success, Inc., VFW, several Sportsmen's Clubs, Masons and local Firemen's Assos. Newport hosts the Perry County Arts Council. There are churches of most denominations and all are active in the community. Millerstown has its own city park on the Juniata and hosts functions throughout the year including a visiting circus.Location of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | yes |
| Industry in Area | no |
| Air Pollution in Area | no |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Solar - Passive |
| Cooling System | Passive Cooling |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Water System | Well |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Exterior Finish | Wood |
| Interior Finish | Gypsum Board - Sheet Rock |
| Interior Paint | Other |
| Floor Material | Tile |
| Roof Material | Asphalt Composition Shingle |
| Window Material | Wood Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Other |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | yes |
| Garage Type | detached |
| Number of Cars | 3 |
| Garage Area | 768 sqft |
