Liz Washburn's Page

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How are you currently involved in the Transition?: Had lawn removed when moved in 3 years ago, planted backyard wildlife habitat, raised beds and have been adding more food production each year. Have a grid-tied solar system for most of my electrical needs plus bike, electric bike and motorscooter to keep me out of my car. Have been on Sustainable Home and Landscape Tour and National Solar Tour. Many energy efficient changes in the duplex that I own and live in.

In what ways do you identify with the Transition movement? Why are you interested?: I believe in sustainability with particular emphasis on energy effieciency and food production. I lived completely off-the-grid for 4 years when I first moved to Whatcom County in 1997 (solar system with a back-up propane generator). My next house will hopefully be even more net-zero than my current one, although my BIG interest is Free Energy (zero point energy), which is being kept from us but I believe is coming in the near future. I've followed Peak Oil for at least 10 years.

Do you have particular interests, skills, talents or resources you would like to bring to Transition Whatcom?: Free Energy, alternative energy, energy efficiency. Have wired additions on several of my previous houses. Enjoy continuously designing my "ideal" passive solar house. Find myself becoming more addicted to gardening each year.

In what neighborhood or part of the county do you reside?: Roosevelt but I'll be looking for another site in-town in the next few years.

Please note that you do not have to answer all of the above questions in order to join, and you can always come back later to edit your profile. If it's all too many questions for now, please provide a short answer below on why you'd like to join this site (or a summary of the above, if answered).: Believe in sustainability, energy efficiency, local food production.

Energy-efficient measures taken on duplex

Energy-efficient /sustainable measures

Lower Unit (owner occupied)

Lightbulbs all replaced with compact fluorescents

Low-flow showerheads

Carpet replaced with engineered wood flooring over concrete slab

Mormoleum natural linoleum flooring installed over old vinyl flooring in kitchen/dining area

Walls painted with non-VOC paint (Mason and Pittsburg)
Outside-facing walls mixed with Insuladd insulating additive to
increase R-value

Rennai tankless water heater replaced 40-gal. natural gas water heater

Visible hot water pipes insulated

Frigidaire 15cu ft refrigerator replaced 18cu ft (new rated at 1.2kWh/day but using only 540w)

Front-loading Fridigaire washing machine replaced top loading (matching dryer)

Double honeycomb top-down/bottom up custom-fit blinds replaced venetian
blinds for thermal quality

Timers installed on bathroom fans

Programable thermostat replaced old on/off model

Electronics on powerstrips (TV, DVD player, VCR, computer, printer,
monitor) to turn off when not being used

Specific laundry area created for drying clothes outside

Lawn replaced with low-maintenance landscaping featuring fruit trees and
bushes, raised vegetable beds and plants good for birds and people

Rainbarrels under two gutter downspouts on house

1.7kWh grid-tied solar system installed on roof of carport (designed at
optimal angle of 34 degrees, specific metal roofing for rack clips and
engineered for increased roof load)

Upstairs Unit (tenant occupied)

Lightbulbs all replaced with compact fluorescent
Low-flow showerheads
Walls painted with non-VOC paint (Pittsburg)
Timers installed on bathroom fans
Programable thermostat replaced old on/off model
Insulated blinds on west windows to reduce heat gain in summer

Existing Building (built in 1996)

Exterior wall insulation R19
Attic/Roof insulation R30-38
Low-E vinyl windows
Whole-house ventilation system

Future considerations

More energy efficient pump and fan for hydroheat system
Solar air heater on south wall of living room

Liz Washburn's Page

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Energy-efficient measures taken on duplex

Liz Washburn's Photos

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