
2021 Featured Home
Cathy and Ivar Reimanis Home
Cathy and Ivar pursue sustainable living and were inspired to add solar panels to their 1998 home after going on the Green Homes Tour in 2019. They are delighted with the 44 310-watt rooftop US-made PV panels that
Golden Solar installed in 2020. These panels generate 119% of all the electricity needed to power their 4,500 square-foot home. The system will pay for itself within 13 years.
The Reimanises also upgraded their home’s HVAC in 2020, with a new gas furnace (96% efficient) and air conditioning condenser (17.0 SEER efficiency). In a warming world, it’s great to have air conditioning powered by the sun!
Double-pane, low-E windows were installed throughout the home in 2005.
The patio has a retractable awning to provide a cool outdoor space for gathering and reduce solar heat gain in the home.
Outdoor vegetable gardens with drip irrigation, composting, a season extending
greenhouse, chickens, and fruit trees also are integral to this couple’s sustainable lifestyle.