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West Grove, PA – January 21, 2010: Just south of Annapolis, MD, Hugh Lofting Timber Framing is constructing a new off-the-grid home. Tucked far back from the road the property enjoys the peace and quiet of farmland views and a backdrop of forest. But don’t let the bucolic surroundings or the craftsman appearance fool you. This new residence is a thoroughly up-to-date, sustainable home filled with cutting edge technology that has a very aggressive agenda – provide a modern lifestyle for a family of four while minimizing their footprint on the Earth. The project goals include:

Hugh Lofting Timber Framing, in concert with the project’s Integrated Project Management team, designed and is building the home to work with the Earth. “The house is sited to maximize passive solar gain in the winter but is designed to be shaded from too much sun in the summer,” says Hugh Lofting, company president. Concrete floors and a massive fireplace are designed to maximize winter heat absorption for passive heat. Coupled with tight construction and a seamless blanket of insulation is a solar thermal heating system designed by Earth Star Energy and Radiant Comfort Systems that utilizes the heat energy of the sun to warm the in-floor radiant system. For those few really cold days, peak heating demand will be met with two wood burning stoves and a geothermal heat pump.

This same solar thermal system will provide domestic hot water to the home. The domestic water system is backed up with a propane fired instant hot water system for peak demand.

The hot, humid summers of coastal Maryland pose a comfort challenge. The home is sited to take advantage of prevailing winds for natural ventilation and is equipped with large, high efficiency, operable windows throughout. The mechanical system includes passive nighttime cooling through the solar thermal panels with a geothermal heat pump as back up. Regardless of the mode of operation, healthy indoor air is maintained via an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) that efficiently maintains temperature while introducing fresh air.

Hugh Lofting Timber Framing is utilizing a systems approach to construction that reduces site generated waste and construction time while increasing quality control. The precast concrete foundation wall system from Ideal Walls provides an R-23.5 at the basement walls. The FSC certified timber frame crafted in the Hugh Lofting Timber Framing shop is enveloped by Murus Company Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) that provide R-40 insulation on the walls and roof. Although there are a number of windows on the south wall for solar gain, windows on the other faces are limited and all windows are high efficiency Serious Windows, series 700 or 900, providing at least an R-5.6 and SHGC of .21.

“We look forward to the family moving into their new, beautiful and highly efficient house this summer,” says Lofting. “This project has provided us with a tremendous opportunity to deepen our involvement in sustainable design and construction.”

More on this project can be seen on the Hugh Lofting Timber Framing website at http://www.hughloftingtimberframe.com/Green/spirt.html

Company Information: Contacts: Amy Cornelius/Hugh Lofting/Elliott Lofting

For over 30 years, Hugh Lofting Timber Framing, Inc has been committed to the highest level of professionalism. Incorporating advanced technology with old world craftsmanship, Hugh Lofting Timber Framing, Inc. is dedicated to hand-crafting energy-efficient homes and structures that are elegant and distinctive. One at a time.