51 minute read
DESIGN PROFILE: THE BLANK WALL IS TIRED
THE BLANK WALL IS TIRED Sean Scherer’s Authentic Interiors
By Susan Barnett Photos by William Abranowicz
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inimalism may not survive
MCOVID-19. The shutdown has forced us to experience home with striking intensity. An environment of comfort, familiarity, and warmth, is what many of us are now are craving when we look around where we live. Sean Scherer’s Kabinett & Kammer, tucked away in the Catskills village of Franklin, offers just that. (The shop’s name comes from the German words for cabinet and chamber.)
Scherer, a painter who’s shown extensively in the US and Europe, views interior design as an artistic conversation between interesting objects and their space.
Kabinett & Kammer is home to Scherer’s unconstrained visual vocabulary, an ever-changing display of thoughtfully juxtaposed vintage and modern furniture and accessories. Bold floral wallpaper meets a deep yellow, wood-paneled wall. A taxidermy goat head emerges from a wallmounted floral tray. Arrangements of prints, books, dried flowers, mirrors, old clock faces, baskets, commonplace items displayed in unexpected ways—it’s all part of what becomes, in essence, a still life, a vignette, a series of experiences. “It’s all about making an interior feel naturally layered and acquired over time, with all those imperfections included,” Scherer explains.
His designs are a revolt against minimalism as a habit. “What strikes me about the shelter magazine business today,” Scherer says, “is how fake and staged almost all the homes look. They are cold. There’s no realness, no authenticity to these interiors—that blank-wall aesthetic is tired.”
Scherer’s design aesthetic is illustrated in glorious color in Sean Scherer’s Kabinett & Kammer: Creating Authentic Interiors (Vendome Publishing, 2020). And that aesthetic is anything but austere. The use of color is bold. The display of items is dense, and often unexpected. Each page is a feast for the eyes, just as he describes his conception for the shop he opened in 2007 in his new book: “The whole store would be a revolving work of art and would act as a laboratory for my evolving collections and displays. I also wanted to emphasize the modernity of the utilitarian pieces I favored: objects and furniture that people made in their barns for specific purposes and uses. They weren’t intended to be artistic, but simplicity combined with practicality—plus years of use—had transformed them from the ordinary into the extraordinary.”
A living room renovation by Scherer: Custom wallpaper—created from enlargements of photographs of the early blue transferware dishes in the cabinet— covers an entire wall. The blue is picked up in the denim sofa and toile-patterned throw pillows.
A display in Kabinett & Kammer that combines a cheerful pink cabinet with an Italian tole rose branch, a porcelain chicken, and a bicycle poster.
FIVE DESIGN TIPS FROM SEAN SCHERER
1. Buy what you love. It’s been said many times before, but it is so true—if you love it you will find a way to incorporate it in your home. 2. Don’t worry about rules: There are none. Have fun in your home. It’s the way to express yourself the most truly. 3. Use color. Too much white washes things out and makes for a boring home. It’s amazing how even one accent wall in a bold color can warm a room. 4. Mix it up. Play with different textures and shapes and periods. Go for a mood as opposed to a style. 5. Think of your home as a story. What narrative are you trying to tell? And what do you want to share with those you invite into your home?
Sean Scherer in Kabinett & Kammer, the design shop he opened in the Catskills in 2007. Scherer’s intention: “The whole store would be a revolving work of art and would act as a laboratory for my evolving collection and displays.”
A blue living room combines Scherer’s use of bold color with his love of taxidermy, salonstyle presentation of artwork, and comfort.
The ground floor of this former firehouse has been transformed into kitchen. A few large pieces, including an antiques store counter that serves as an island and a tall file cabinet add scale and counterbalance the ornate spiral stair.
A living room renovation by Scherer: Aqua walls combine with natural materials like raw linen and primitive wood furniture, as well as vintage kilim pillows and rugs, to cozy up the room.
ARTISTIC TRADITION
Scherer has been featured in the New York Times multiple times, as well as House Beautiful, Country Living, and Sweet Paul magazine. He left the city after 9/11, and opened his first shop when a friend offered him storefront space in the Delaware County village of Andes. Two years ago, he moved 20 miles farther north to Franklin.
Wait. Where?
“I’ve always loved Franklin,” Scherer says. “It is one of the most historically intact villages upstate, and one of the best kept secrets in the region.” The Village of Franklin, in fact, is on the National Historic Registry. Its main street is lined with stately white homes and equally stately maple trees.
Franklin has a long artistic tradition. It is home to the Stagecoach Run Art Festival, an annual self-guided tour of local art galleries, and the Franklin Stage, an Actor’s Equity professional theater that hosts productions throughout the summer. At least in normal summers. But Franklin has been relatively off the radar for the new generation of downstate visitors and expats. Until recently.
Scherer and his partner, fashion designer Gary Graham, opened adjoining stores in a building they bought at 422 Main Street. They live in Franklin full time, making their home above the shops. Their living room, and Graham’s studio, are both featured in Scherer’s book.
Scherer, Graham, and Bea’s at 422, a cafe and market that opened in the same building, have all seemed to thrive since their arrival, even in the year of the pandemic. In fact, Scherer said this past summer was one of his best seasons ever. “I think people are not spending as much on travel,” Scherer says. “So, they’re investing in where they live.”
MORE IS LESS
Much of Kabinett & Kammer’s business is internet-based, and Scherer’s new book is adding to his international reputation. “There’s been a fabulous reaction to the book,” he says. “My publisher, Vendome, has ordered another printing just to keep up. It was a number one new release on Amazon in Antiques and Decorative Arts, and number six in Design.”
The book features not only pictures from his shop and home, but photos of interiors he has designed for private clients. The foreword is from one happy celebrity customer, CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper. Cooper’s home is an 8,400-square-foot former firehouse, where Scherer has created a distinctly masculine, clubby vibe. Cooper wrote, in the book’s foreword, that he wanted his home to be “a kind of cabinet of curiosities, like the home of an explorer from the turn of the century, a personal museum full of art and books and objects collected over the years.”
The kitchen features herringbone brick floors, dark vintage wood cabinetry, and, of course, a fire engine red metal staircase. A library has overstuffed chairs, a leather couch, walls of books, and a massive stuffed bear.
Most of his customers, Scherer said, are not interested in the pedigree of an antique. Neither is he.
“It’s about shape and form and how items relate to each other,” he explains. “The antique business has changed. The market is about decorative value, not about whether an item is authentic. It’s a more modern approach.” Yet Scherer has nothing against minimalism. “I love the Shakers,” he said. “And they’re certainly minimalist.”
Where: New York City and Hillsdale, New York What: New Construction, Additions, and Renovation for Residential and Institutional Projects that Utilize Passive House and High-Performance Standards.
Clockwise from top: In Hillsdale, Wagman designed his family’s house to fit their lifestyle. View of exterior looking southeast. Yoga studio. Entry vestibule. Photos by Sean Litchfield. I n 2005, architect James Wagman, his wife Anne, and their two small children began renting a small weekend house in Hillsdale with striking views of the Berkshires. According to Wagman, the house was unprepossessing, but its large windows allowed them to experience the beauty of the landscape around it.
Two years later, they bought the property and eventually decided to tear down the house. On the original footprint, Wagman designed a new house inspired by the surrounding farmhouses that was tailor-made to the family’s lifestyle. “We’ve been here for 15 years and feel rooted in the community,” he says.
In his time upstate, Wagman has become involved in local preservation efforts. He is a former member of the Historic Hillsdale Committee and is currently the president of the Friends of East Gate, a nonprofit dedicated to the restoration of the historic East Gate Toll House on Route 23 in Hillsdale.
His award-winning New York City architecture firm has also taken on more residential projects around the region— from upstate New York to Vermont and Pennsylvania—and has developed a reputation for creating beautiful, sustainable homes that fit in harmoniously with their landscapes.
Much of Wagman’s inspiration as an architect comes from Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic style and deep connection to nature. “Wright said, ‘I believe a house is more a home by being a work of art.’ To me, everything you see or touch should be beautiful,” he says.
With a clear focus on elegance of design, the homes his team designs for clients are a reflection of their location and what they mean to those who live in them.
As the effects of climate change continue to intensify, Wagman also believes that building energy-efficient homes has become a mandate. His team’s 2015 transformation of a Brooklyn brownstone into a passive house-certified residence was a turning point in their evolution as green building architects.
Today, Wagman and his firm are experts in passive house standards and the use of solar and other high-performance techniques that help achieve higher levels of energy independence. “As long as the envelope and mechanical systems are designed for maximum efficiency with air tightness and reductions in thermal bridging, any style of home can be built to Passive House standards,” says Wagman.
As he continues to build relationships with consultants and builders in the Hudson Valley and surrounding regions, Wagman has also come to enjoy the slower pace that comes with working in the country. “The formality is gone,” he says. “You’re working at a different pace, and when you get to work with good builders and good consultants, the projects are more fun.”
ALEMAN/MOORE These sewn straw carpets are fully functional and durable works of art, hand-crafted in New York for over 25 years. alemanmoore.com l aleman_moore DBO HOME Husband and wife designer/makers handcrafting tableware, lighting, accessories, and custom furniture in their Connecticut studios. Porcelain, wood, leather, and bronze. dbohome.com l dbo_home f dbohome J BLISS STUDIOS Handcrafted in Woodstock by artists Joanna and Jared Bliss. One-of-a-kind jewelry, illustrations, greeting cards, and gifts. jblissstudios.com l f jblissstudios
MAJESTIC HUDSON Spiritual Boutique~Blissful Experiences Fostering connection, inspiring creativity, and supporting a compassionate lifestyle one blissful experience at a time. majestichudson.com l f majestichudson NEW YORK HEARTWOODS Impeccably crafted furniture, and custom commercial and residential interior surfaces using wood milled from Hudson Valley fallen and urban trees. Transform your own trees into fi nished pieces. newyorkheartwoods.com l f newyorkheartwoods ROB HARE MAKER OF THINGS Bespoke, handmade furniture and accessories in wood, metal, and glass. By appointment. Detail: Single plank oak desk w-hand-forged base. robhare-furnituremaker.com l robharethingmaker f RobHareMakerOfThings
photo by Ann Stratton. annstratton.com
ROWAN WILLIGAN An abstract artist specializing in murals and large paintings. Rowan is also a photographer and does ROWAN WOODWORK A full service design and build woodworking shop. Everything from kitchen cabinets to furniture is handmade. rowanwoodwork.com l rowanwoodwork
TURNER & TURNER PAINTING Mark Turner’s creative wall and fl oor fi nishes, glazing, murals, gilding, and wallpapers adorn countless projects in Manhattan, Connecticut, Upstate NY, and the Hamptons. turnerandturnerpainting.com l turnerandturnerpainting
CLEAN POWER GUIDE
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IT’S YOUR HOME. TAKE CHARGE! BY MELISSA EVERETT, PHD
Home matters. These days, our lives revolve around our dwellings more than ever. So it’s timely to take action on the energy upgrades we know will benefit our economics as well as the planet. Those of us who are working from home, especially, have time to notice the drafts, ruminate on the age of the heating system, and take action on the energy improvements we’ve been considering for years.
The Clean Power Guide is your support system for informed action to improve energy efficiency and shift to renewable sources in your home or small business. It guides you on the most basic step to take, slashing waste and maxxing out efficiency in your energy use. It is a portal to information on solar power, heat pumps, electric vehicles and more.
Sustainable Hudson Valley and Chronogram Media bring you this publication. It’s written by trusted experts, and backed by the sponsorship of some of the premier businesses and public agencies working to bring clean energy technologies to the marketplace. Available all year, online and in print, the Clean Power Guide provides the basic, unbiased information you need to get moving off fossil fuels at home and work.
In terms of technology and economics, this is an excellent time to invest in renewables. The price of solar keeps falling. Energy storage is more affordable and standardized, maximizing the benefits of your solar system. Electric vehicles are dropping in price as they increase in range, and the used EV market is making these cars even more accessible. All these options are getting close to competitive in up-front costs as well as yielding savings throughout their life cycles. Read on and imagine being part of this revolution.
Melissa Everett, PhD, is executive director of Sustainable Hudson Valley, a regional organization whose mission is to speed up, scale up, jazz up, and leverage progress against climate change, creating communities where people and nature thrive.
Get Retrofit A Fossil Fuel-Free Building Future BY MELINDA MCKNIGHT
Solar panels, heat pumps, and EV charging stations are signs of the shift toward clean power technologies—and the underlying electrification that makes the system more efficient. This is heartening. But to get us all off fossil fuels, the importance of reducing building energy usage through efficiency upgrades cannot be overstated. Does your building need a retrofit? Here are some of the signs that it might: rooms that are too hot or too cold; high utility bills; Unpleasant odors, stale air, or poor air quality; bubbling or peeling paint; rodents, insects, spiders, or snakes; mildew or mold; heating with dirty energy; icicles or ice dams; frequent illness of the occupants; noise (trains, traffic, or room to room).
WHAT’S A BUILDING SCIENCE-BASED RETROFIT AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Building scientists are experts who are accredited by the Building Performance Institute. They apply the laws of physics to understand how air flow, moisture, and systems within a building function together. They can see the signs of an underlying problem in order to treat more than the symptom. They also perform diagnostic testing to implement lasting solutions for healthy, safe, efficient, comfortable, durable, and fossil fuel-free buildings. Without following their guidance to improve efficiency first, building owners can fall prey to bad decision-making like installing heat pumps that are larger, more costly, and less effective at heating and cooling your home; or purchasing solar arrays that are larger and cost more to provide for your electric needs.
WHAT DOES A BUILDING RETROFIT ENTAIL?
A building retrofit begins with an examination of the building, including a visual inspection and diagnostic testing. An essential part of the process is dialog with the property owner to understand any concerns about the indoor environment and to become clear on their goals. Based on the information collected, a scope of work proposal is created that generally includes: removal of old, damaged insulation; ventilation—passive and mechanical; air sealing (top plates, plumbing and electrical penetrations, drywall seams, vent hoses); vapor barrier; new insulation (cellulose, rockwool, closed cell spray foam, or extruded SPF polyisocyanurate) in attics, under floors, walls, and kneewall attics; duct sealing and insulation; and air purification
I ALREADY HAVE INSULATION IN MY ATTIC AND BASEMENT. ISN’T THAT GOOD ENOUGH?
The truth is that it depends on the type of insulation, its condition, and if air sealing was performed. Air sealing reduces the ways that air enters or leaves the building. It is important to have some fresh air come into the building, but not so much that you experience drafts and high utility bills. Allowing just the right amount of air to enter and leave your building is key in order to maintain the health of the occupants. Building scientists know how to calculate the Building Airflow Standard for buildings to ensure you maintain proper ventilation.
Most buildings were insulated with fiberglass— pink, yellow, or white. Fiberglass works well inside wall cavities, where it is enclosed between framing, sheathing, and drywall. When fiberglass is used in attics, crawlspaces, or basements, it does not work nearly as well because air passes right through it. This is why it becomes so dirty. The fiberglass filters the air as it enters or leaves your heated living space. Fiberglass is often improperly installed, which can create conditions leading to mold growth or off-gassing due to wood decay. Fiberglass is also an excellent nesting material for rodents and insects as well as the source of dust indoors. These factors can contribute to respiratory issues in children and adults.
IS SPRAY FOAM THE BEST INSULATION MATERIAL?
If you are talking about R-value (how much the insulation material resists heat transfer), yes, but only if it is closed-cell spray foam. Closedcell spray foam has the highest R-Value (R-7 per inch) but it is also the most expensive and not best for all situations. Open-cell spray foam is much less costly than closed-cell spray foam; however, more material is needed for it to perform well. We recommend that open-cell spray foam be used only in commercial buildings, as it can have a long period of off-gassing chemical fumes. This type of foam is also attractive to rodents for nesting material. There are other very effective insulation materials available and choosing the best one for you can only be accomplished by understanding your particular situation, goals, and budget.
DO I NEED TO DO IT “ALL-AT-ONCE” OR CAN I STAGE THE PROJECT?
It is possible to accomplish your project any way that best matches your needs and your budget. There are advantages to each. It makes sense to do what works best for you.
HOW DO I ACHIEVE A FOSSIL FUEL-FREE, NET ZERO HOME?
The first step is to reduce energy consumption. The ways to reduce energy usage include: 1. Switch to LED light bulbs. 2. Install professional air sealing techniques. 3. Upgrade your insulation. 4. Upgrade your hot water heater. 5. Install continuous, professional grade hot water pipe insulation. 6. Invest in Energy Smart appliances.
Once energy consumption is reduced, the next step is to install solar panels (if you can) or to buy solar energy. If you decide to install solar panels, it would be worth considering a back-up storage system to become energy independent. The last step on the journey is to install air source or ground source heat pumps to provide clean comfort all year long.
Melinda McKnight is the EVP at Energy Conservation Services, a Kingston-based home performance contracting firm.
(FOSSIL FUELS NOT NEEDED)
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SOLAR AND HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS Serving the greater Hudson Valley since 2009 4 Cherry Hill Rd. New Paltz, NY 12561 • 845.417.3485
SEVEN SOLAR STRENGTHS FOR 2021 BY DAVE CONOVER
THE SUN IS ABUNDANT
Former Vice President Al Gore often notes that there is enough solar energy reaching the Earth in one hour to meet the world’s energy needs for a year. Photovoltaic panels already power 2.3 million US households and the solar industry is bigger than coal or steel. The International Energy Agency recently declared that solar offers the cheapest form of electricity in history. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar has an annual growth rate of 49 percent over the last decade.
THE PRICE OF SOLAR IS DROPPING FAST
According to EnergySage, the average cost of solar power has dropped from $3.69 per watt in 2015 to $2.09 today. A 6 kW system in New York (enough for a modest house) costs $15,900 to $21,300 before state incentives and tax credits.
THE SUN HAS A WARRANTY
Well, solar (PV) panels do! They are a long-term investment that can last up to 30 years. Panels generally have warranties that cover equipment (defects, premature wear) and also performance. Equipment warranties last from 10 to 25 years, and should guarantee no more than a 10 to 20 percent loss of performance over the life of the panel. Read the fine print.
YOU DON’T NEED PANELS
If your place isn’t properly oriented to the sun, or is shaded, or if you rent, you may want to consider a community solar subscription service where customers gain access to energy savings from electricity produced at a solar farm. They’ll save you money too. Through a larger-scale variation, Community Choice Aggregation, entire towns and communities can source their power from the sun (though by law individuals can opt out). Central Hudson’s Clean Energy Marketplace offers incentives and allows you to compare and estimate savings when choosing community solar. Check if your energy provider offers something similar.
YOUR METER CAN RUN BACKWARD
If your PV system is connected to the grid (as most are), you have access to “net metering.” Whenever your panels produce more electricity than you’re using, the surplus gets put back into the grid, making the economics of solar even better. Current regulations in New York on net metering are in transition but your installation contractor will be on top of them.
YOU CAN PUT THE SUN IN A BOX
If the box is a battery, that is. Battery storage is fast dropping in price thanks to standard models like Tesla’s Powerwall, but storage can also be customized for your needs.
NEW YORK LOVES THE SUN
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was passed last year and provides a template for New York State to transition off of fossil fuels, starting with the ambitious target of 70 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030. A major focus is on making sure renewables are affordable and accessible for people without a ton of money, so watch for solar energy to be even more visible going forward.
Dave Conover is the program coordinator for Sustainable Hudson Valley.
GOING GEOTHERMAL A HOME MAKEOVER IN SAUGERTIES BY WAYNE DEDERICK
Wayne Dederick’s Saugerties home with geothermal field, solar array, and electric vehicle charging station. Igrew up on a farm in Saugerties. I worked in house repair and construction while in college and became comfortable with both plumbing and electricity. I became a chemistry teacher at Red Hook High School, hence I had a solid understanding of electricity, phase changes, photovoltaic (PV) technology, and more. My wife and I designed and built our house in 1978 using plans from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We were serious about energy performance; it was built with nine-inch walls and passive solar technology.
I became an avid reader on solar and geothermal systems. After retiring in 2002, I installed the plumbing and electrical systems, as well as several bathrooms and a kitchen in the house my daughter and her husband were building. By 2008, I was very interested in actually installing a PV system at my own house. My son-in-law, who is a mechanical engineer, convinced me to install geothermal first. That made sense, because my central air conditioning was getting old and would soon need to be replaced. He found us a company that would drill the wells, install the plastic pipes in the ground, and fill the wells around the pipes with sand and bituminous clay. He told me, “You figure out the rest!”
I considered hiring a contractor, but they were pricey. I calculated the heating and cooling loads. I chose a water-source heat pump, which is very efficient because the temperature of groundwater is relatively constant, and water is a much better conductor of heat than air is.
I selected a Water Furnace Envision 049, which helps to heat our domestic hot water when it is running. It has a dual-capacity compressor (to accommodate the heating and cooling functions) and a backup resistance heater capable of 32,700 BTU/hr. That backup heater has only turned on once—when I tested it! The temperature in our house is perfect and you cannot hear or feel that the system is running.
Top: Dederick’s geothermal system, which he estimates cut his heating costs in half after he switched from an oil-fired furnace. Bottom: Evacuated tube collectors convert sunlight into photovoltaic energy.
The system required two wells, each 300 feet deep, spaced 20 feet apart. The piping was connected in parallel to reduce the resistance to the water flow. This allows the use of a smaller circulating pump. I used a 15-percent ethanol solution to protect from freezing. The duct work in our house did not need to be increased in size, because we already had a central air conditioning system.
I was fortunate to have started with geothermal, because the price of solar panels dropped dramatically between 2008 and 2012, when I actually installed the PV system. That solar system supplies enough electricity to run everything in the house, which includes the geothermal system, and also charges our electric vehicle, a Tesla 3.
I estimate that switching from an oil-fired furnace to a geothermal system cut my heating costs in half and lowered my air conditioning cost considerably. Also, I knew I could “make” my own electricity but I could not “make” my own oil.
In my opinion, building codes should be modified to encourage PV and heat pumps in all new construction. Owners of older homes should consider geothermal when their old air conditioning or heating systems need replacement.
Our geothermal system has been installed for 12 years and has been maintenance free except for changing air filters. Three of my neighbors have now installed geothermal systems and they all love them. During a recent heat wave, I commented to one of my neighbors, “The best thing I ever did was install the PV system.” He quickly corrected me: “No, the best thing you ever did was to install geothermal!”
Wayne Dederick is a retired chemistry teacher with three daughters and six grandchildren, hence his care about the future of our planet.
WARM FEELING WHAT KIND OF HEAT PUMP MAKES SENSE FOR ME? BY MICHAELA CIOVACCO
Aheat pump uses electricity to run the same kind of refrigeration cycle that a refrigerator or air conditioner uses—except that a heat pump can transfer heat into or out of an entire building, making it possible to heat, cool, and dehumidify your space. Because they are electric, heat pumps provide more efficient heating and cooling than burning fossil fuels, making them good for the planet as well as for your building’s comfort.
There are two main types of heat pumps: ones that source their energy from the air, air source heat pumps (ASHPs); and ones that source their energy from the ground, ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). For example, in the winter, cold-climate ASHPs placed outside of the building will absorb heat from the air (yes, even though it feels cold to us there is still heat to absorb, down to about -15 degrees Fahrenheit). They transfer that heat (amplified by a compressor) to be distributed inside the building, either by another AC-looking unit (called a ductless mini split head), or central ductwork system.
Also known as geothermal, GSHPs are installed inside the building and concentrate the heat transferred from water circulating pipes in the ground. Most commonly, GSHPs distribute conditioned air via a central ductwork system but there are models that can produce hot and cold water too. The water-based GSHP systems don’t make very hot water but can be effective in radiant floors or when sent to a ductless hydronic fan coil, which is like a mini-split head but receives water rather than refrigerant.
Which one makes sense for you?
Generally speaking, the ideal candidates for a GSHP system have at least one of the following: • Expensive heating costs from heating oil and/or propane, electric baseboard— basically anything other than natural gas, since natural gas heating costs are subsidized by utility ratepayers and it makes less financial sense to switch to any electric heat pump system. The owners have and/or want central air. The building is under renovation or is new construction. The owners want to be carbon net zero. The owners don’t want to hear or see any outdoor equipment. There’s a larger budget for installation (although financing is available, retrofit systems—not new construction—average around $30,000 after utility and state incentives). Ideal candidates for ductless ASHP systems have at least one of the following: The owners want to supplement an existing heating system to reduce energy consumption, fossil fuel use and/or heating costs. The building has an open layout (few walls) and/or the owners do not mind that heating and cooling from the mini split head only spreads to one space (similar to a traditional window air conditioner). There is a lower budget for installation.
Here are some additional questions to keep in mind: What is your current heating method? And what kind of coverage do you want?
In pure financial terms, anyone with a heating system other than natural gas is a good candidate for a heat pump, since the savings over time will compare favorably. If you’re replacing a natural gas system, the savings will take longer to capture but will still be there. GSHP have the capability to deliver heating and cooling throughout the building whereas ASHP systems generally only provide heating and cooling to designated open areas.
How recently constructed, and how well insulated is the building?
Heat pumps are sized depending on how much energy is required to heat and cool a building. A building without insulation needs much more energy to control the temperature, so insulation first is worth the investment. Your heat pump installer should be able to guide you to an energy efficiency provider.
What is your motivation for adopting heat pumps? Going totally net zero or simply reducing your carbon footprint?
Going net zero? Geothermal has the advantage of using less electricity to power. Air source systems are great to offset the majority of your heating costs and fossil fuel use in the winter, and serve as your air conditioning unit during the summer.
What is your budget?
Geothermal systems are more expensive than air source systems. That’s mainly because they cover the whole building and become a part of the structure itself, whereas ASHP systems involve a smaller, simpler installation. GSHPs are about $30,000, post-incentives. ASHPs minisplit systems typically cost around $4,000 per unit, and an average house may use two to four distribution units.
Michaela Ciavocco is program coordinator for New Yorkers for
Clean Power. She can be reached at nyforcleanpower@gmail. com for more information and recommendations.
HEAT PUMP INCENTIVES
Description Cold Climate ASHP: Partial Load Heating Cold Climate ASHP: Full Load Heating
Central Hudson
$800 per outdoor condenser unit $1600 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity at NEEP 5 degrees F
Con Edison
$500 per outdoor condenser unit $2000 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity at NEEP 5 degrees F
GSHP
Custom
$2000 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity a certified by AHRI $2850 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity a certified by AHRI
$80 per MMBTU of annual energy savings $150 per MMBTU of annual energy savings
National Grid
$500 per outdoor condenser unit $1000 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity at NEEP 5 degrees F
$1500 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity a certified by AHRI
$80 per MMBTU of annual energy savings
NYSEG/RGE $500 per outdoor condenser unit $1000 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity at NEEP 5 degrees F $1500 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity a certified by AHRI $80 per MMBTU of annual energy savings
This table shows the current incentives offered for air-sourced heat pump (ASHP) and ground-sourced heat pump (GSHP) by each utility in New York. Contact your regional installer or reach out to NYCP at info@nyforcleanpower.org for more information. Orange & Rockland
$500 per outdoor condenser unit $1600 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity at NEEP 5 degrees F $2000 per 10,000 Btu/h of maximum heating capacity a certified by AHRI $80 per MMBTU of annual energy savings
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Visit nyforcleanpower.org for more information or email us at info@nyforcleanpower.org
ENERGY NAVIGATION GOOD HELP IS EASY TO FIND BY COLLIN D. ADKINS
With all the options available in today’s market for heating, cooling, home energy efficiency, smart energy gadgets, battery storage, solar generation, community solar, and more, you might be asking yourself, “Where do I start?”
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is here for you. Energy advisors with CCE Dutchess and Sullivan Counties are available to assist renters, homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofits throughout the MidHudson region with energy improvements—especially anyone facing financial hardship or with limited income.
Bob and Michelle of Clinton Corners had known for some time that their aging heating and cooling system was in need of replacement. Though their insulation was good, it felt like any year could be the one where the heating system finally gives up. On a fixed budget, the prospect of being able to make the most efficient and sustainable choice felt out of reach.
Before meeting an energy advisor at a regular volunteer gathering, Bob and Michelle were unaware of the energy efficiency programs available. Over meetings, phone calls, and emails, they worked with their energy advisor to understand their estimates, prepare their application for financial assistance, and arrive at an affordable package which included a cold climate heat pump for their first and second floors, a 50-gallon hybrid water heater, and piping insulation to keep the whole system operating efficiently.
Once they learned that they could receive guidance throughout the entire process, the entire project felt less overwhelming and finally achievable. They commented, “For some people, talking to contractors is like speaking in a foreign language. We were thrilled to death to find out that there were energy advisors to keep us organized and inform us of funds available for people like us—funds that people don’t often know about.”
Our resources continue to grow with the expansion of the Energy Navigator program. Local, knowledgeable volunteers are learning a wide array of energy topics and how to use a neighbor-to-neighbor approach to help people in their communities understand and lower their energy use and switch from fossil fuels to renewables. With all the incentive programs and supports available in New York State, now is a great time to take a fresh look at your home energy use.
Connect with your local energy advisor at Midhudsonenergychoices. org and learn about cost-saving programs. For more information on volunteering as an Energy Navigator, contact Hazel Robin at dr598@cornell.edu.
Collin D. Adkins is the environment and energy resource educator and energy advisor with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County.
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DISRUPT! Grassroots Innovation for a Renewable Future
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29
Moderated by Brian K. Mahoney; with Melissa Everett, Executive Director, Sustainable Hudson Valley; and special guests from the worlds of industry and policy innovation.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PREMIER SPONSORS
Find more information and resources at Sustainhv.org and Upstatehouse.com
EVolution
THE RISE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES BY SETH LEITMAN
Electric vehicles are mainstreaming fast. All those chargers appearing on the highways, and the EV ads broadcast during major sports events—they are a sign of a transformative change in technology in the works. There are over 40 makes and models in the US marketplace now—but more importantly, automakers are shifting their R & D and engineering investments, their supply chain efforts, and strategic alliances, toward EVs.
What’s new with EV technology?
There is more standardization of basic EV design by companies seeking an advantage in creating diverse models within a single make. Underneath some of this is a flexible platform known as a skateboard. Rivian, a Massachusetts startup, won $500 million in investment from Ford to use this platform in multiple Ford EVs.
What’s new in the marketplace?
Everything is evolving fast. We’re seeing lots of changes in car companies’ strategies. In sales, Tesla Model 3 is still the go-to. Behind that is the Chevy Bolt—one of the most reliable EVs I’ve test driven. There are more plug-in hybrids and smaller-range electric vehicles than ever; in the 150- to 200-mile range. Whatever kind of car you are in the habit of driving and like, there is an electric version or soon will be.
Electric cars come with all the bells and whistles you have to pay extra for in a gas car—the sensors, the safety features, so you get more for your dollar. Worldwide, the market grew 40 percent from 2018 to 2019; although EVs were back then only one percent of the global fleet, that kind of growth won’t take long to be visible around us.
A big trend is electric trucks and SUVs like Rivian; Bollinger, which almost looks like a 1950s Range Rover; the Ford Mustang Mach E; the VW ID4; the Nissan Ariya. As Elon Musk has said, we have to make the best vehicle to meet the needs that drivers see, ergo the Tesla cybertruck which has more than 600,000 deposits before it has hit the market. These are more cost competitive across their life cycles—especially with Tesla and VW offering dedicated charger networks for their vehicles.
Who’s driving EVs now?
It’s the most diverse array of people I’ve seen, from stay-at-home moms to police. I know a guy who works at Sing-Sing who bought a Model S, had an accident, walked out of it and had the car refurbished because it was so safe. People also buy them for speed, and they are showing up more and more in the racing world. I know a guy who bought a Tesla Model X for $80,000 and bragged that he could blow past a $250,000 Porsche. On the other end of the spectrum, people are buying the EVs like the Hyundai Kona because they are so affordable to own and operate.
How do you shop for a car and a dealership?
Picking the car: That’s for you to decide. What features and capabilities do you want? Pretty much every size and style and set of features is available as a plug-in hybrid or EV. Check out Driveelectricus.com, a website created by a consortium of automakers and Northeastern states, for an in-depth, unbiased look at the vehicles.
Shopping for a dealer is the trickier part. Check websites. Are there EVs onsite? Visit. Is there a car there charged and ready to test drive? Is there a knowledgeable person who can describe not just the features but the benefits, the financial case, the technology—who can talk to you as an informed enthusiast? Dealers can help you get all possible discounts and rebates, and steer you to the car that fits your lifestyle. So work with them, and educate them too.
“I love the Kona because of its great range. It’s super smooth and very intuitive. And it has no grille—how awesome cool is that?” —Dana Levenberg, Ossining Town Supervisor Seth Leitman, aka the Green Living Guy, directs EV programming for Sustainable Westchester and Sustainble Hudson Valley. Email him at greenlivingguy@gmail.com or visit Sustainhv.org to get more info on electric cars.
WHAT’S COMPLICATED ABOUT CHARGING YOUR ELECTRIC CAR? BY STEVE WEHR
For most people, the answer to this question is: “Nothing, really.” Charging your electric car is easier and much less costly than going to the gas station. It’s just that it’s so different from what we have always done. There is new terminology to learn, new habits to form, and maybe new equipment to buy. Feeling comfortable that you can easily and conveniently charge your electric car is one of the keys to feeling comfortable enough to purchase an electric car.
You will mostly charge at home, but may also charge at certain destinations, or while travelling. Home charging can take 8 to 40 hours to get a full charge from near empty, depending on the equipment in your home. Destination charging can take several hours for a full charge, while travel chargers can charge your car in less than an hour, often less than 30 minutes.
Home Charging
For most Electric Vehicle (EV) owners, charging at home is how you will charge 90 to 95 percent of the time. When you get home at the end of the day, you can plug in your car and you will have a full “tank” the next morning.
You have several options for how to plug in at home: • 120V outlet. Almost all EVs include a “Level 1” charger that can be used in a 120V outlet. You can expect to get about 40-60 miles of range charging for 12 hours. • 240V outlet. You can have an electrician install one of these in your garage or parking space for about $250. Your car’s included charger may include a plug to use this type of outlet, or you may be able to buy one from your dealer. You can expect to get about 80 to 140 miles of range charging for 12 hours. • Dedicated EV charger. Many companies sell home chargers that are wired directly into your service panel. These will add 20 to 40 miles of range per hour. You will pay about $500 for the charger hardware, and $500 to install it. You can lower this cost by taking advantage of incentives from the federal and state governments, or from your utility. from these chargers, or if you have a Tesla you can use an inexpensive adapter. Expect to set up an account with each company in order to use these chargers.
ChargePoint is by far the largest provider of these chargers, with hundreds of them in the Hudson Valley alone. Many of these are provided by municipalities for free.
Travel Charging
All of these charging stations will charge you for a rapid charge. You will need to setup an account ahead of time to use most of these chargers, but some do offer credit card payment options, so no account needed. For Tesla cars, you can take advantage of the Tesla Supercharger network, with over 1,000 charging stations in the US. Cost is typically about $13 for a full charge. Tesla cars use their own proprietary charging socket, but can also use all the networks below with a $500 adapter.
For all other cars, they typically use the “CCS Combo” socket in order to use travel chargers, or if you have a Nissan Leaf, then you will use a socket named CHAdeMO. You have your choice of many charging networks that have both plugs. Prices can vary widely by network and location. As of September of this year, you can use networks such as Electrify America, EVgo, Chargepoint, and Greenlots; New York State is installing fast chargers on major state highways. In the Hudson Valley region, these chargers cost about $14 to $20 for a full charge.
To find a charger, use the PlugShare app to list chargers from all companies. Also, your car’s GPS may tell you if you need a charge before you arrive at your final destination, and route you to a compatible charger.
Bye-Bye Gas Stations
The charging infrastructure is growing rapidly throughout the country, and especially in New York State and the Hudson Valley. Talk to owners, ask them about their experiences. You’ll find that charging really is much less complicated than you may think. New habits are pretty easy to form. And you really won’t miss gas stations.
Destination Charging
As the name implies, this type of charging is used when you are stopping at a “destination” for an hour or more—a hotel, restaurant, or shopping mall. These are “Level 2” chargers that will add 20 to 40 miles of range per hour. All electric cars have sockets that accept the plugs
Steve Wehr is a retired engineer and EV enthusiast.
Working Toward a Bright Future for the Hudson Valley BY CHRISTOPHER MARX
Well over a decade ago, SUNY Ulster began to build training programs for installers of solar, geothermal, and wind technologies as well as green building methods. We saw exciting new career pathways for our students. However, when we rolled out these programs, there were very few traditional college students. Instead, they were seasoned building and trades professionals including contractors and electricians, architects and engineers, and even real estate agents. They weren’t taking the classes to get a green job, they were evolving existing jobs to make them greener and building the movement.
At the same time, industry organizations were just starting to develop standards of best practice for clean energy system installation and energy efficient building. The SUNY Community Colleges have been working with professional instructors and with national industry groups to create curriculum that meets these standards. Training programs fall into three categories: green building design, green building construction, and green building maintenance. Today, we have courses and programs addressing the three main categories of green building careers—design, construction, and maintenance—SUNY Ulster focuses primarily on construction and maintenance. This includes the installation of clean energy systems, like photovoltaic panels, geothermal systems, and energy efficient building practices. Students can earn multiple certifications from industry groups such as the Building Performance Institute and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners—credentials that are recognized nationally and in some foreign countries. Programs in this area include Energy Auditor, Heating and Heat Pump Professionals, and Building Automation. These certifications prepare the green building professional to assess the energy system upgrades and renovations for older buildings—useful, since the Hudson Valley has some of the oldest housing stock in the country. Many of the courses offered at SUNY Ulster offer credits toward an Associate Degree in Green of-the-art building science lab and test house, the Kelder Center, where they can work on the integrated solar photovoltaic and solar thermal panels, perform field tests on heating and cooling systems, and study the effects of various insulation materials. Instructors can even open leaks in the structure for students to find as part of their energy auditor exam.
These days, the young people are on board, too. Last year, the Ulster County Executive and the Ulster Career Center partnered with SUNY Ulster to create the Green Careers Academy, a career pathway training program that starts with basic courses to prepare students for technical training. Grants and donations even provide scholarships. Local companies—especially those with employees who have taken our classes—have accepted interns and hired students. In a new program with Citizens for Local Power, Kingston apprentices actually start with a paid work experience to gain hands-on knowledge before they ever take a class.
The science of green building continues to evolve with new methods and materials and higher standards. It is an exciting time to be a practitioner.
Christopher Marx is associate vice president for Workforce,
Economic Development, and Community Partnerships at SUNY Ulster.
Learning to Succeed in an Evolving Field BY JUDITH KARPOVA
Imoved to the Hudson Valley in 2001, about a Specialists in 2018, working until they closed during month before the attacks on the World Trade the COVID crisis. Center. I was concerned about the invasion of Five years had passed, making me eligible for Iraq as a resource war and vowed to do my part another funded course through the county. Last to overcome the need for oil. I started thinking year, I took a four-month course on air conditioning about energy in the home I had bought. It and refrigeration at BOCES. So here I am, stuffed to became my guinea pig. the gills with certifications and looking forward to
In 2004, I installed solar. In 2005, I added what’s next. geothermal. I took the Building Performance I’ve learned that you have to really like your career; Institute’s Building Analyst and Building Envelope not just think you should do it. I found this calling late courses in 2006. Then I studied to become a certified in life. It’s mentally and physically arduous. But it’s the geothermal installer. With this combination of work that energizes me. I love the inner Sherlock that experience, I was hired by the person who installed comes out when I walk into someone’s home to figure my geothermal system to do site visits and energy out where their energy is being wasted, where their efficiency audits. money is going. You have to keep yourself educated
I was laid off in 2010 after the economy collapsed. and current, take classes, go to conferences, keep I took the time to get involved in citizen activism. I your antennae out. Even though I’ve been laid off a also got active in the US Green Building Council. I number of times, work keeps coming in because of my discovered the Ulster County Office of Employment credibility. Right now, the home energy efficiency field and Training and the Ulster County Career Center. is under stress. How it unfolds will depend on how the Through their funding, I took the Sustainable Building word spreads about these services to people who need Advisor training for another certification through the them. In sticking with this, I’ve gotten a solid grasp on US Green Building Council. my profession and earned respect. That’s what brings
I got the opportunity to work for a startup, Higher the real rewards. Value Insulation, for over a year. Ironically, the business was so successful that the founder closed it Judith Karpova is a certified home down and jumped into his next passion, building new energy efficiency auditor, sustainable passive houses. I went on to work for Global Dwelling building advisor, and clean energy for a few years, then moved to Northern Windows advocate. doing energy audits. I joined Energy Conservation Building. Our students are trained in a state-
Diversity in the Clean Energy Workforce
If we’re going to build back better for all, we have to pay attention to equal access to training, employment and advancement. According to industry sources, in 2019, the solar work force was composed of 7.6 percent African Americans, 17 percent Latinos and 26.3 percent women; only 21 percent of the wind industry’s work force is women. Diversity is even more limited at top levels, with men holding 88 percent of solar industry leadership jobs and 80% of senior employees being white. The better news is that the number of companies with a racial diversity plan in place has risen from 7 percent in 2017 to 22 percent today.
HIGHWOODS SPIRIT This Saugerties House Takes Thoughtful Design and Craft to New Heights
In 2017, Ken and Kristin Wenger moved upstate to Bearsville from New Jersey. Ken, a retired financial executive and Kristin, the retired director of an arts education nonprofit, had so much fun designing and building their own house that they founded KCK Bearsville Holding Company, located a second piece of land, and launched into a second career as developers.
The second property, which Ken discovered through a chance conversation at dinner in Woodstock, was a secluded, sloping 7.3-acre parcel in Saugerties with incredible views of Overlook Mountain. To design the house, the Wengers turned to the architect who had helped them bring their first to fruition—Constantine Kalesis of New York City-based Kalesis Design Studio.
Kalesis, who has 18 years of experience as an architect and four as the principal of his own firm, began working in the Woodstock area in 2012. In contrast to his projects in the city, which almost always have a predetermined footprint, the Hudson Valley has offered him room to explore his practice as an architect. “It’s a very challenging design exercise to be given carte blanche on a raw site,” he says. “I take cues from the surroundings when developing a floor plan. Where the sun rises and sets, the vistas, and any variations in topography.” Laying the Groundwork Without an existing buyer in mind, Kalesis’ challenge was to create a house that anyone could see themselves living in. His solution was to design it as two distinct structures. His sketches articulated a sleeping wing separated from the entertaining wing by the liminal zone of the entryway between.
To further divide the space, a set of doors closes off the sleeping wing from the entryway and another closes off the entertaining wing from a guest/office suite within. This would allow the floorplan to ebb and flow according to the future owners’ needs.
The resulting 2,500-square-foot layout “feels at some points monumental, but also intimate,” Kalesis says.
The design’s other orienting factor was the eastern face of Overlook Mountain, which rises majestically above the treeline to the west. To take advantage of the views, Kalesis designed the house on a northsouth axis and gave every major room its own mountain vista and access to the back deck that runs its length. “The house is designed as a lens, framing the way you perceive the site,” he says.
To bring the design to life, he and the Wengers teamed up with Mike Fanelli of Glasco-based 3rd Generation Builders. Fanelli, who comes from a long
Above: Architect Constantine Kalesis designed the Zena Highwoods House as a lens that frames the way you perceive the site. The home’s transparent entryway, outfitted in locally sourced walnut, pine, and bluestone, provides a curated view of Overlook Mountain behind a 20,000-pound bluestone boulder found at the site.
Opposite: The view of the entryway from the back deck reveals the custom-fabricated metal spout that cascades rainwater onto the boulder and river rocks below.
All photos by Nils Schlebusch 360° except where otherwsie noted.
line of builders (hence the third generation), got his start in the late `90s just as the post-9/11 housing market took off upstate. Today, 3rd Generation works throughout the Hudson Valley and Fanelli’s team does all their own general contracting, which gives them full control over the building process from start to finish.
A Completed Vision Completed in August of this year, the Zena Highwoods House is a reflection of Kalesis’ sitespecific design, Fanelli’s team’s craftsmanship, and the Wengers’ eye for details.
As you approach the house from the secluded driveway, a dense stand of pine trees gives way to a clearing that provides a panoramic view of the minimalist home against its mountain backdrop.
The house is clad in pine siding in a mottled blue-gray stain that echoes the trees that surround it. An angled metal roof (green to match the foliage) covers three distinct parts of the house: the entertaining wing, sleeping wing, and the attached one-car garage. The entryway and threshold to the garage have flat charcoal-hued roofs made from durable EPDM rubber, which reveal Kalesis’ compartmentalized architectural program.
The transparent entryway is the first of the architect’s lenses that you encounter.
The front door is a weighty five-foot-wide glass pivot door trimmed in walnut and bordered by 24-inch glass sidelights. From here, you can see through the floor-to-ceiling, walnut-trimmed picture window on the other side, which frames a 20,000-pound bluestone boulder found near the top of the driveway that now sits outside the window surrounded by a pool of river rocks. Kalesis also designed the house’s gutters to move rainwater to the entryway roof, where it flows through a custom-fabricated metal spout and cascades water onto the boulder and rocks below.
From inside the entryway, tiled in radiant-heated bluestone from Peter Shultis Stoneyard in Willow, the peak of Overlook Mountain is framed behind the boulder—a studied diorama of the Catskills.
To the right of the entryway is the entertaining wing of the house, which contains a shared kitchen, dining, and living space, a butler’s pantry, the guest suite/office space, and a screened-in porch.
The ceiling throughout is pine, which Fanelli sourced from Ghent Wood Products in Columbia County. The exposed four-by-twelve-foot rafters were milled by Rothe Lumber in Saugerties from white pine trees cleared for the home’s construction (a sustainable touch the Wengers had added to their own home). The lumber was dried by Fanelli’s team for nine months at the site. The floor is maple from Ghent, stained in Fruitwood and sealed with a matte polyurethane.
The kitchen space is sleek and sophisticated, with an eight-by-seven-foot picture window above the farmhouse sink and quartzite counter that bathes the space in light. In the middle of the room, seven-foot-wide French doors that open to the deck and accompanying three-and-a-half-foot-wide sidelights from Marvin provide expansive views.
On the far end of the room, a six-by-eight-foot picture window lights the hearth space. The ornate mantle above the steel fireplace surround is an antique mortise and tenon beam from Java, which the Wengers found at Asia Barong in Great Barrington.
Just off the shared kitchen, dining, and living space is a hallway that leads to the guest/office suite, closed off from the rest of the wing by a pair of antique paneled rosewood French doors
