Greener Homes Tour

Our self-guided tour features 9 remarkable homes, each equipped with innovative technologies and sustainable practices, including:

• Rooftop and Ground Solar Panels: Harness the power of the sun to generate clean, cost-effective energy.
• Grid Net and Off-Grid Projects: Explore systems that contribute to or are independent of the power grid.
• Advanced Heating and Cooling Systems: Learn about geothermal solutions and air-to-air heat pumps that offer efficiency and comfort.
• Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations: See the latest in electric mobility and home charging solutions.
• Sustainable Gardening: Discover pollinator-friendly gardens and home food production systems.
• Water Conservation: Get insights into rainwater and greywater harvesting and reuse systems.
• Home Insulation Improvements: Find out how enhanced insulation can drastically reduce your heating and cooling costs.

**Owners are only available after 12 noon**

Tom and Julie's journey into sustainable energy began in 1974 with the installation of a GE heat pump. In 1995, they added solar panels on a tracker and a mini off-grid system with Surette deep-cycling lead-acid batteries. About 10-12 years ago, they enhanced their setup by installing rooftop panels for net metering through Sunfish Solar, with inverters in the basement. In 2023, they expanded further by installing more panels and replacing the lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries housed in a shed outside the house, along with a new Solark inverter. They also drive eco-friendly vehicles, including a 2005 Prius hybrid and a 2012 Nissan Leaf EV.

Greening Initiatives on Display: Solar Panels, net metered; Solar panels off-grid system, solar hot water system, EV vehicles (x2), Air source heat pump (mini-spilt, ductless)

Anything else to see: 2014 Used tesla model S , 2020 Model Y, Veggie Gardening in progress

Welcome to Cobble Beach’s first Green Powered Solar Home. Rob & Suzanne moved into their newly built modern home with stunning western golf course views in December 2022. They quickly contracted STARDUST SOLAR to install a 4.86 KW roof mounted Solar system supported by the TESLA POWERWALL II which manages all Solar generation and power distribution throughout the home at maximum efficiency while offering a reliable backup power supply with seamless transition. Along with Rob & Suzanne, a representative will be on hand to provide further information.

Greening Initiatives on Display: Roof top Net Metered Solar with Tesla Power Wall

Experts on Hand: Stardust Solar Owen Sound

Meet Niall Lobley and family at their (approx.) 3000 square foot family home. They are the second owners of this 2019 constructed home and since summer 2023 have added a 7Kw (expandable to 14kw) net metered solar system, replaced the propane hot water and HVAC with an air source heat pump HVAC and an air source heat pump hot water system. As a family they have more than 100,000km under their belts in EV vehicles. You will be able to view the technology inside and outside, hear about running it, and ask questions about life with an EV.

Greening Initiatives on Display: Roof top Net Metered Solar, Air Source Heat Pump HVAC, Air Source Heat Pump Hot Water, EV Charging

Anything else to see: Township of Georgian Bluffs - Foodcycler & GB Goes Green Initiatives

Experts on Hand: Riddell Contracting - Heat Pump Installers, Bluewater Energy - Solar Installers

Virginia and Roger's house was designed and built by the previous owners, completed in 2019. They moved in in June 2022. Over 90% their of annual electrical energy comes from the Sun, with a propane generator kicking in when there are successive cloudy days midwinter. The in-floor heating system is currently powered by propane. With Carleton University, they are studying replacing the propane with a Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage (STES) using the abundant summer solar energy that is currently unused as it is excess to their electrical power requirements.

Greening Initiatives on Display: Off-grid passive house, powered primarily by solar PV and batteries. EV with Level 1 charger. Rooftop rainwater collection supplements well.

Experts on Hand: TBD

Welcome to the home of Bob and Mary-Beth Gray. Their 1906 brick built 2 1/2 storey home is located north of the Village of Kemble. Over their years in the house, Bob and Mary-Beth have strived to lower the environmental impact of the property. In 2022 they worked with Crose Mechanical to replace the oil fired furnace with a new cold air source heat pump system, and in 2021 Grey Bruce Coatings & Insulation helped undertake spray foam insulation in the basement. In addition to these changes, the Grays drive an EV, use an electric BBQ and lawnmower and have a Level 2 charger installed at the home. 

Greening Initiatives on Display: Air source heat pump, insulation, EV Vehicle

Anything else to see: Electric BBQ, Electric Lawnmower

Experts on Hand: Crose Mechanical, Grey-Bruce Coatings and Insulation

Michael and Danuta are located at the north end of No Exit road on top of Kemble Rock. Their house was built in 2015 and initially heated by an oil furnace. They switched to propane and early in 2024 to an air-sourced heat pump. Installed in 2010, the solar panels track the sun and feed energy directly into the Hydro grid. The trees were planted over a period of 3 years (2012-2014) and their mowed paths provide an opportunity to walk among them.

Greening Initiatives on display: Air-sourced heat pump, Micro-fit 10 KW Solar array, over 11,000 trees planted (through Ontario Tree Program)

Experts on Hand: Cooks Plumbing and Heating (TBC)

Clark and Ann restored the century log home that was originally built in the 1880s, and then moved and restored the Grahams log home in about 1990 to be used as a studio. The solar system has been installed on a driveshed and provided the additional power needed to add a minisplit ductless heatpump /HVAC system. The philosophy of reuse and recycle guided the restoration process. The focus over the last few years has been to reduce carbon emissions and make the home as energy efficient as they can with the resources they have, as well as plant trees to help sequester carbon.

Greening Initiatives on Display: Net metering roof top solar system, minisplit, ductless heatpump and HVAC, triple pane and some custom window systems in the log section, outside window blinds, two fields of native tree planting, several rewilding fields, organic garden and orchard, and a hoop house providing year round greens

Anything else to see: Healthy wetland

Experts on Hand: Blackline Power, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Forestry Coordinator, Riddell Contracting LTD?

Rooted by the Bluffs is designed using permaculture principles and is in harmony with the surrounding ecosystems. Learning from nature, the gardens and orchard go beyond organic and sustainable; they are regenerative – helping build soil and restoring the soil food web, restoring the water cycle, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing carbon sequestration. Once the gardens are established, little input is required. All buildings are made from reused, recycled, or waste products. Our focus is to minimize our impact on this precious earth.

Greening Initiatives on Display: Sustainable gardening. Rainwater harvesting. Solar system (micro FIT)

Anything else to see: Regenerative gardening, material reuse

Experts on Hand: Julie and Nathan - Rooted by the Bluffs

Jenny and Jim built their home in 2005. The spectacular water view called for north-facing windows, but triple glazing reduces heat loss, and large south facing windows in a loft create warm air which is distributed to the rest of the house via special ductwork. The primary heat is from a geothermal (ground source) heat pump, with a woodstove as backup. Although the installation cost was high, Jim’s data shows that the geothermal system produces heat very efficiently, cheaper (and greener) than their woodstove. A large fan quietly moves warm air down from the high ceilings.

Greening Initiatives on Display: Ground source (geothermal) heat pump, passive solar heat distribution duct, triple glazed windows, large circulating ceiling fan, dual chamber tumbler composter

Anything else to see: Box vegetable gardens, tumbler composter; failed thermal windows, stone patio, walks and stairs from on-site rock

Experts on Hand: Ken Philp ClimateCare to discuss geothermal and air source heat pumps, HRV

Welcome to Luc and Janes bungalow on Grey Road 1. The family home has been steadily upgraded to reduce its environmental impact with the addition of a net metered rooftop solar system, and triple glazed windows. The propane furnace has been upgraded to an air source heat pump and most recently, to keep the woodburner they so love, a catalytic woodstove insert was added that significantly enhances the efficiency of burning wood.

Greening Initiatives on Display: Net metered EV, triple glazed windows, EV Vehicle

Anything else to see: Catalytic woodstove insert, EV Vehicle

Experts on Hand: The Fyre Place (TBD)