Solar Home Tour in Branford

April 16 PACE tour is sponsored in conjunction with the CT Clean Energy Fund.

An amazing 2,000-square foot Eco-home in Branford (Short Beach), will be open to the public on Saturday, April 16. Sponsored by People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE) in conjunction with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), the tour will focus on passive solar design; solar electricity and hot water; sustainable building practices; Energy Star “tight house” construction and habitat restoration. Representative companies will be present to answer questions.

At 12 noon, 1:30 p.m. or 3 p.m., visitors in size-limited sessions will view the home’s 3.6-kilowatt solar electric system; solar hot water panels which provide domestic hot water and also contribute to the back-up gas heating system for radiant floor heating; rainwater/city water dual/flush toilets and a high efficiency wood stove with stone surround. The heating bill for the whole house is $500 per year. All interior doors, all wood flooring, most trim and all beadboard wainscoting was salvaged. All finishes and adhesives were non-toxic, with no volatile organic compounds. The final cost of the project, with a fair amount of owner-supplied labor, was $170 per square foot.

Reservations, indicating first, second and third choices of time, will be accepted in order of receipt for the April 16 tour, which will be held rain or shine. To order tickets online, go to www.pace-cleanenergy.org and click on "events." Tickets may also be ordered by sending $15 per person to PACE c/o Donna Grant, 128 Melrose Road, Broadbrook, CT 06016. For ticket information, call 860-623-5487. For tour information, call 860-693-4813. More details about the tour may be found at here.