Sustainable Living

Here are some of our practices that are a part of our sustainable lifestyle:

Recycling

• Composting
• Using recycled paper
• Recycling used clothes
• Recycling and reusing wherever possible

Sharing

• Car-pooling
• Multi-household residences
• A central kitchen where meals are prepared for community members
• Sharing our tractors, lawn mowers, etc., among-community members
• Purchasing in bulk to lower food costs, which allows for better quality food

Conserving Energy

• Purchasing energy-efficient appliances
• Using off-grid power with solar panels and wind turbines
• Winter heating with wood, with firewood from our land

Other Sustainable Practices

• Purchasing organic and Fair Trade products when available
• 100% organic and GMO-free farming and gardening on our land
• Using natural and biodegradable cleaners
• No smoking indoors our outdoors

Castle: Using 80% of Renewable Energy

Electricity:

• 60% Solar: 20 Voltaic Panels (PV) up to 3.5 KW
• 5% Wind: 3 X Windspire of 1.2KW/ each
• 35% Grid

Domestic hot water:

• 80% Solar Thermal with 8 Panels
• 20% Biomass (wood boiler)

Heating:

• 50% Solar Thermal with 8 panels
• 40% Biomass (wood boiler)
• 10% Propane

Oasis:

Electricity:

• 100% Grid

Domestic hot water:

• 65% Biomass (wood boiler)
• 35% Oil

Heating:

• 90% Biomass (wood boiler)
• 10% Oil

Summit:

Electricity:

• 15% Solar Electric with One Pole-Mount
• 10% Panels (2.3KW PV)
• 85% Grid

Domestic hot water:

• 50% Biomass (wood boiler)
• 40% Solar Thermal Panels (4 panels)
• 10% Propane

Heating:

• 75% Biomass (wood boiler)
• 25% Propane

Solstice:

Electricity:

• 35% Solar Electric -14 Solar Panels (2.1KW PV)
• 65% Grid

Domestic hot water:

• 60% Solar -10 Solar Panels
• 40% Biomass (wood pellet boiler)

Heating:

• 70% Biomass (wood pellet boiler)
• 30% Solar Thermal