12. Geiseler - Gruba

The oldest house on the Tour, built in 1888, is in a neighborhood that features other lovely homes with mature gardens.

What makes this an interesting retrofit is all of the ideas that have been used on this house. It demonstrates that there is something that can be done for every house regardless of age.

One of the techniques on this house is the sort-of Trombe-Michel wall. While it is definitely glass with a mass walls behind (2’ thick no less), the airspace, the masonry wall is still exposed to the exterior cold temperatures beyond the edges of the glass enclosure, However, even with the migration of heat from the enclosed area to the exposed area, it still helps heat the house. The wall is vented into the house so as the air is heated up during the day, it is spilled into the house and triggers a thermostat-controlled fan. The hot air is also directed through a 10’ x 2’ x 4’ rock storage bin.

What do you like about the house?

I like the savings and the efficient kitchen and bath. I like the opportunity to improve the performance of the 3 heating systems we have. I like the replaced plumbing , electrical and heating systems. We used 120 yr. Old wiring until last year. Scary fire risk.

Why do you think your house should be on the Tour?

It is 121 years old and has Victorian features. If we can upgrade this old house to make it more comfortable, efficient and pleasing aesthetically anyone can upgrade any house. It is a house project in process. We waited about two months to rest before starting on more house projects.

Tell us a little about you and the family that is living in the house.

Many of Richard’s friends deem him pleasantly insane. Only his tax payments prevent the State from making him a ward. The remodel about killed us. We stayed married to each other only through the grace of God. I lived in the unheated house sleeping with 2 sleeping bags a space heater and the cat. We called it the winter camp. The builders got to me after they cut off the electricity which I used for the space heater and the shop vac with which I minimized the construction dust daily. They tore up my sleeping room as well.

How did you become interested in the technologies you used in your house?
The fossil boys keep increasing the price of their product. I don’t trust them to keep my heating cost down.

Passive Solar
Solar hot air collector – south brick wall cover with glass

Thermal Features
Rigid insulation installed over exterior walls

Solar Hot Water
Recycled collector
40 gallon holding tank
Used for space heating under a tile floor

Thermal Envelope / Thermal Comfort
Trees planted for shading the south wall
Vertical louvers to shade the panel and collector
Expanding foam insulation around windows and outlets
Night setback thermostats
95% efficient furnace

Lighting
Light tubes on the second floor
CFLs
Solar powered outdoor lighting

Construction Techniques
Thermal breaks around the collectors and the new doors and windows
Local river rocks used in the rock storage
Recycled bath vanity from Habitat for Humanity, reused cabinets in workshop
Low VOC paints
Pre-plumbed for collectors
Tripled glazed windows

Appliances
Energy Star rated
High efficiency furnace

Transportation / Lifestyles
Bicycles for local errands
Recycling
Composting
Xeriscaping
Low consumption lifestyle

Re-use / Salvaged Materials
Reclaimed lumber, laundry cabinets, and victorian trim
Reused copper water supply line and bathroom tile
Used materials – cabinets, plumbing fixtures, bricks

Unique Features
Owner learned various techniques from previous Solar Home Tours

Green Features
1800 square foot house
Reused materials from home for remodels
OSB
Engineered lumber floors and joists
Recycled 120 year old oak floor

Water Features
Low flush toilets
Low flow shower heads
Xeriscaping
Drip irrigation
REC/Windsource