Elements of Green

Winner of LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, this structure's many eco-friendly features make for a sustainable stay.

Open windows and a gentle breeze cool rooms--no need for AC.

Rainwater streams off the roof into barrels, where it's saved for watering plants.

A passive solar water heater on a south-facing roof warms water 20 to 30 degrees (propane gas does the rest). This reduces gas use by 60%.

Plenty of windows illuminate the common rooms with natural light.

Twenty-four photovoltaic solar panels supplement electricity supplied by the grid. In the summer, it saves about $300 per month.

Composting and vermiculture create rich plant fertilizer and reduce waste.

Energy-efficient radiant heat panels warm rooms with less power.

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