The reason that homebuilders don’t do passive-solar homes isn’t that they don’t work (passive works great). Rather, it’s because passive solar requires an architect to orient a home along the sun’s path of travel across the winter sky — something that’s hard to do in big subdivisions.
That’s no obstacle for Pete Scott of Solar Inclinations, who has a new solar ranch he created in small-town Berthoud to show you Sunday, Jan. 27, about 10 minutes north of Longmont.
Along with the rarity, it’s notable for its price — $564,000 for a 2,000-square-foot, three-bedroom ranch, plus full unfinished basement and an attached, oversized two-car alley-load garage — a typical price for any new home in the northwest metro area now, without the design quality and solar features this one has.
Berthoud’s neighborhood is a time capsule of turn-of-the-century Colorado: narrow lots on north-south streets that provide solar gain to east-to-west-oriented homes.
Scott will show you the basic features — plenty of south-facing glass to bring the sun in, enhanced by new window technology that increases solar exposure and keeps heat from leaking out of windows on the home’s other sides.
With an assist from super-deep insulation, Scott is tracking mid-winter heating bills of only $40 a month from the time he completed it. And he notes that you could do better still if you add solar-electric panels on the garage.
You’ll see an up-and-coming location a block from Fickel Park, a five-minute stroll from Berthoud’s Mountain Avenue main street with City Star Brewing, Da Bean Coffee House and more excitement arriving along with the nearby TPC Colorado golf course.
Berthoud gets drop-dead views west to Longs Peak — stunning the day I visited. And designer Channing Puchino of Functional Fresh Living strives for the same in kitchen and other design features you’ll see.
Take I-25 north to Exit 250/Hwy 56, head west 5 miles, through town to 6th Street, then north 3 blocks; or take U.S. 287 north from Longmont to County Road 8.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.
