Green Leaf Inn: Project Journal

May 1, 2013

Here Comes the Wood!

While we worked to restore the 5 acres at the Inn – including reintroducing native species and clearing out any dead trees, ash, boxwood or invasive species – we were able to have much of the wood cut into planks for re-use at the Inn.  We had WI Wood Harvesters come to the site, select which pieces of wood to recycle, then take it back to their site to cut to our specifications and kiln dry the planks. Read more…

April 8, 2013

An Energy Audit – the First Step

Before we did any renovation on the cottage at the Inn, we took an important first step – had a professional Energy Audit conducted.  Tom Krawczyk from TJH Energy Consulting, performed a basic energy assessment, including that all important blower door test; depressurizing the building to test for air leakage.  You can see a copy of the Home Energy Audit performed in 2008, and see the type of detailed information provided. This is the kind of report a good energy auditor should be able to offer.

To find out more about the importance of an energy audit and what to expect; read this month’s article from Talkin’ Green on The Importance of Getting Audited.

December 27, 2012

The Cottage Suites Continue to Evolve…

Long ago, we started with a basic design for the Cottage Suites, drawn up by our architect and consequently approved.  However, once the shell of a room is up and you’re standing in the middle of this new space, other ideas and design concepts swirl around and – well – changes happen. Read more…

December 17, 2012

Green Leaf Inn: Setting the Standard for Green Building

Throughout this project, we are continually asked, what are you hoping to accomplish and what exactly is net zero?

Green Leaf Inn was conceived as a state-of-the-art, net-zero regenerative project. Via onsite renewable energy sources like our 50kW wind turbine, solar voltaic panels and cogeneration system, the Inn will achieve net-zero energy by producing as much or more than enough of its own energy to match the Inn’s onsite energy needs over the course of a year.

Our goals, however, go far beyond net-zero. We are creating not just an energy efficient site, but a working model; a living experiment demonstrating and testing the very best in green building, conservation and energy efficiency practices.   Read more…

December 10, 2012

Hot Tubs Going UP!

The Hot Tubs are finally going in at the cottage! Hot tubs, you say?

I hear that suspicion in your voice.  How can a hot tub be part of a sustainable project?  Well, we did our research and frankly – most hot tubs, whirlpool baths, air baths, bubble tubs – whatever you want to call them, are just not green.  Remember though, everything is a choice, and we knew, no-matter-what, we wanted to provide this luxury item for our guests.  But then along came MTI Baths and took away the green guilt factor substantially…! Read more…