One of the frequently asked questions I get asked is can a historical or older home be environmentally friendly. "Yes!" I can think of nothing more environmentally friendly then an older home which has been retrofitted with eco-smart technology, and it doesn't have to change anything about visual impact of the home. A friend and I went to Ecohouse in Hamilton yesterday, to see what a non-profit group of young people can do with a limited amount of resources and a tremendous amount of heart and dedication. The group is Green Venture headed up by Pete Wobschall, who is a fountain of very useful information. My feeling is that he's going to be a wonderful resource for years to come.
Ecohouse is located on the Veever Estate comprised of a couple of acres and a stone home dating back 150 years. It isn't unlike many of the magnificent homes on Hamilton mountain, or hugging Lake Ontario in Oakville, with its large principle rooms on a majestic setting. You enter the property through large wrought iron gates by the garage and head up the stone stairs to the side entrance of the house, where the tour guides are found. We had an Engineering student from UofT be our very knowledgeable guide.
First we were led through the house with its various features and demonstrations from the extremely low voltage use of LED spot lighting to EnergyStar rated appliances, and low-flow water demonstrations. This is not a designer home, but a work at its infancy of restoration and rejuvenation. Then we were taken on the garden tour where first we were shown the photovoltaic solar system and wind turbine. It supplies the majority of their electricity and should there be excess it is sold back to the grid. There are rain barrels (which they sell) to collect as much of the roof run off as possible that supplies most of the ample garden with water. At the lowest point in the garden, there is a garden reservoir which filters any excess surface water before it leaves the property.
At the back of the property their is a little green roofed gazebo, and from their we were taken to the community garden, which supplies most of the vegetables for the volunteers and staff. There are no pesticides used, but rather they have companion planting where one plants fights off pests they may attack another. This where our tour ended, and left me invigorated. I would like to congratulate all staff and volunteers at Ecohouse for the great work they are doing.
If you would like to find out more about Ecohouse the website is:
http://www.greenventure.ca
or call: (905) 540-8787
