"He had been waiting to do a project like this. He found this in Thorsten Chlupp of REINA LLC, a contractor who specializes in highly energy-efficient homes. Secure in his vision, and having secured the perfect piece of land, Karl set out to secure the next essential element for the project: a building partner who could help him realize his vision. It felt like I belonged here." Stepping into uncharted territory "There was something special about this place. I just sat down and enjoyed the view," he says. But perhaps it's just as well – because his ideal piece of land was waiting for him: a hilltop lot that he saw first in 1975 while bird hunting. "I had to wait for technology to catch up," he says. "The lines were really long and I was baking in the sun waiting to get gas." Considering the country's reliance on petroleum, Karl concluded: "There has to be a better way." He began planning a zero energy house over three decades ago, and didn't stop planning until he built it. Karl first dreamt of building such a home during the energy crisis of the 1970s when gasoline was being strictly rationed. A marvel of efficiency, their home is completely off the grid – relying on wind, solar and passive heat retention to stay warm and comfortable in one of Alaska's most punishing climates. The Kassels live in one of the greenest homes in Alaska. What they don't like to do is burn fossil fuel – so they don't. They like to walk around barefoot – even in February. #Living off grid in alaska professionalMasonry heater with hydronic loop Designed by Karl Kassel built by Stone Castle Masonry Annual heat storage and integrate renewable energy system REINA, LLC Mountain High Plumbing and Karl Kassel Integral passive heating design Karl Kassel Bamboo flooring Teragren Studio vertical grain, Florcraft Carpet One installed by Professional Laminate Floor Installations Cork flooring Ipocork Cork Flooring, Florcraft Carpet One installed by Professional Laminate Floor Installations Stained concrete floors Rady Concrete Construction Marmoleum low-VOC sheet flooring Florcraft Carpet One installed by H&R FlooringĮnergy star appliances Bosch washer and dryer, Sears Bosch Integra dishwasher, Plumbing Showcase Mountain silhouette backsplash Designed by Karl Kassel installed by Dreamworks Cabinetry LLC Cabinet door pulls and outside stone work Karl Kassel Island, benches and planters stone work Stone Castle Masonry Dual-flush toilets and all plumbing fixtures Plumbing Showcase Custom triple pane argon filled with insulated fiberglass frames windows Great Land Window Karl and Billie Kassel of Fairbanks like to keep their home above 68 degrees – year round. Wind turbine Southwest Windpower Whisper 500 (3kw) installed by ABS Alaskan Inc. Solar PV collection 12 Kyocera 135 watt (1650 watt total) installed by ABS Alaskan Inc. Solar Thermal collection 4 - 4x10 flat plate collectors, Heliodyne exchanger installed by ABS Alaskan Inc. Stone masonry Stone Castle Masonry Cabinetry Custom birch, built by Dreamworks Cabinetry installed by REINA, LLC R65 REMOTE wall and framing REINA, LLC R90roof Blown cellulose, Superior Insulation Custom scissor trusses Fairbanks Truss Co. #Living off grid in alaska softwareKarl Kassel Thorsten Chlupp, REINA LLC Energy Modeling with Passive Haus software PHPP07 Thorsten Chlupp General contractor REINA LLC Energy Star lighting fixtures Tesco Total Electric installed by A & K Electric
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