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Ketchum House lives in harmony with nature and is an earthly energy conduit to us
Ketchum House lives in harmony with nature and is an earthly energy conduit to us
Our goal is to demonstrate and share techniques so society can revert back to simpler times, connect with nature, achieve greater emotional balance and heal our planet creating a stable home for future generations.
For 20 years the Ketchum's welcomed visitors and conducted annual Earth Day tours. When we accepted the baton our mission switched to daily Eco-tours and now due to Covid, virtual tours of this sustainable property are available.
Outside of Ketchum House
Outside of Ketchum House
Earth hug.
The house is built into the hillside to regulate the interior environment.
Through nestling the home below the frost line the earth provides a constant radiant temperature of 10C or 50F and in turn giving Ketchum House an Earth hug.
Ketchum House takes advantage of this principle where in both summer and winter 10C is banked.
Think about arriving at Ketchum House in -20C weather. The house hasn't' been occupied in weeks and the indoor temperature is 10C.
During your absence carbon based heat, such as forced air natural gas, is not required to ensure the pipes don't freeze because the inside temperature rarely drops below 10C.
Double wall construction
|| Double wall construction costs more but saves upwards of 80% in energy costs ||
|| Double wall construction costs more but saves upwards of 80% in energy costs ||
Ventilation, air purification and cooling.
On the north wall at Ketchum House there is a hand made, wooden grate. Behind this grate there is a 6" pipe which runs 90 feet through the ground and into the house. Air is brought in, through the pipe by an electric fan and as the air travels through it passes over top minerals which in turn purifies the air. During the summer months this system acts as air conditioning as the air is cooled based on the principals above.
This video also includes information on the Earth hug
Rain water collection.
To be self reliant, water is the key resource for survival.
In additional to a drilled well and running surface water on the property, Ketchum captures rain water and stores the water in a 9,000 liter cistern.
Two levels of flat roof collects rain water and through a special series of natural filters rain the water is purified.
Natural shading and cooling.
To keep the home comfortable in the summer and allow sunlight to penetrate in the winter both grape and kiwi vines where planted.
During the summer months the vines would grow leaves and naturally block the sun therefore keeping the ground floor of the house cool.
In the fall the leaves would drop allowing the sun to shine into the house and onto the thermal mass of the floors and walls.
Photovoltaic or solar.
Energy to run items such as the refrigerator, fans, pumps and TV along with lights originates from the sun and wind.
During sunny days the output of the system is very powerful so we tend to complete activity like vacuuming on sunny days.
All excess energy generated is stored in deep cell batteries for use after the sun has set or for cloudy days.
Wind.
At the highest point of the property is the wind turbine.
During windy periods throughout the day or night power is generated and stored in the same deep cell batteries as the power being produced by the sun.
The energy generated and stored in the batteries is DC. The majority of electrical devices in the house are AC so an inverter is required and the power is distributed through a standard electrical panel.
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