Solar Power Has Never Looked Better
By Joan Christensen / Photos by Carter Photographics

The dazzle factor for custom-designed homes usually begins from the road or perhaps the foot of the driveway. But this isn’t just another entry into the “Homes Beautiful” club of Grand County. In the case of Jack and Karin Conrad, their house, located a few miles northeast of Granby catches the attention of passersby from a mile away as their rooftop solar panels wink in the sunlight. Situated on a 15-acre lot adjacent to BLM land, their naturally powered hillside home is framed by a healthy aspen grove.

Although green building is getting more attention, the reality of integrating natural energy resources into a home as a primary power source is still in its infancy requiring vision and commitment.
           
“We wanted to build an environmentally friendly home because we’ve been very conscientious about our impact on the earth,” says Karin, who partners with husband Jack in their Tabernash-based business, Grand Woodworks. The Conrad’s personal commitment to the environment was apparent back in 1985 when Jack started the first recycling program in Grand County. He operated it out of Grand Woodworks and for several years accepted aluminum, glass and paper – without charging fees. Recyclables were taken to Denver on their weekly trips and dropped off before filling the truck with materials and supplies for the trip back.
           
The remote location of their lot beyond Legacy Park boundaries provided a financial incentive for solar power as well. “The nearest existing power lines are nearly half a mile away and connecting over that distance would have been expensive,” reveals Jack.
           
Harnessing solar power presented some challenges but electrician Tim Moreland, owner of Power to the People, helped wire their home. Photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof convert sunlight into electrical power. It is then transferred to a bank of batteries in the “Mechanical Room” on the home’s lower level where it goes into an inverter/charger that distributes power to electrical lights and appliances. Monitors track the amount of battery power available so high energy tasks can be done at times when reserves are high – or deferred if capacity is running low. A propane generator has been connected to provide backup power on days when the amount of sunlight is insufficient.
           
Opting for solar energy didn’t mean settling for small appliances or features. This family loves to entertain and they selected appliances that deliver maximum energy efficiency with style. The professional range is the only kitchen appliance operated by gas and not tied to the solar array. The kitchen features two Sunfrost refrigerators. The refrigerators are the most energy efficient in the world using 80 percent less energy than a standard refrigerator. “By maintaining a very high humidity in its compartments, Sunfrost allows fruits and vegetables to be stored in a naturally oxygenated environment, increasing their shelf life two to three times over conventional storage,” says Karin.

The collaborative goal of architect and owner was to create a home that the Conrad’s found to be beautiful, energy efficient, family-functional and capable of showcasing their company’s custom cabinetry and millwork. Grand Woodworks has been in business since 1983 and employs a staff of 13 highly skilled craftsmen, designers and office personnel. Grand Woodworks has supplied cabinetry and millwork over much of the western United States and their work has been featured in Colorado Homes and Lifestyles, Mountain Living, Better Homes and Gardens, and Modern Log Home magazines and the books Ski Style and Contemporary Western Living.

“ Before designing a kitchen, it is important to consider how you work and cook.”
– Karin Conrad

According to Karin, “the vision for our new home was ‘mountain contemporary’ to keep the more laid-back flavor of mountain life and embrace the modernity of solar power. To accomplish this we chose rustic elements like ledge rock, hand hewn walnut flooring and heavy beams to work in tandem with select cherry contemporary-styled cabinetry. We wanted our kitchen to reflect what we try to do for all of our clientele. Kitchen design is a very specialized process and requires in-depth thought into how a kitchen functions for a family. The types of activities that will be taking place in the kitchen, how the family chef(s) likes to cook and how the owners like to entertain must all be considered.”
           
Karin, who is certified in kitchen design (CKD), comments, “I love to cook and wanted my dream kitchen to incorporate many of the great accessories that are available today. Our kitchen is fully decked with pull-out spice racks, tip-up pocket doors, door pantry racks for optimal organization, a recycle center and rollout shelving, to name a few.” Karin’s expertise in this field was recognized in the local 2008 Parade of Homes where she won two of the three “Best Kitchen” awards.
           
The entire south side of the house stretches out in comfortable compartments that flow together. The living room occupies the southwest corner with vaulted windows offering panoramic views. A woodburning masonry heater provides a central heating source and creates separation between the living and dining areas. According to Jack, “masonry heaters allow you to heat your home with wood in a unique way. After burning a large charge of wood very quickly and cleanly, the heater maintains the warmth in its masonry core, slowly radiating heat into our home for 18 to 24 hours.”
           
Next to the kitchen is a large alcove where a baby grand piano resides and the Conrad’s two oldest daughters, Anna, 18, and Janni, 16, can practice while Karin works in the kitchen. Shallow openings left and right of the range hood allow Karin to listen to practice sessions and offer applause without hovering.

In contrast to the elongated rectangle of the living/dining/ kitchen/piano nook, Karin selected several organic shapes to soften the sharp angles. The kitchen island is kidney-shaped and the lighting fixture above it mirrors its curved form. A “monorail” connects the power source to pendant lighting that is low voltage and offers increased energy efficiency.

“It takes a commitment to understand how to allocate and use energy wisely at times when power is most abundant and then shifting tasks to those times.” – Karin Conrad

Anchoring the southeast corner is the master suite with huge windows, and sweeping views of Cottonwood Pass, SolVista and the western horizon. Along with his-and-hers closets, a custom built-in chest runs the length of the south wall below the picture windows providing abundant storage. The windows in the master bath are positioned high enough for privacy while allowing for ample natural light.
           
With the expertise of Jason Stigers of Alpenglow Heating, a Granby company that specializes in plumbing, radiant heating, and solar thermal heating, the Conrads installed a domestic hot water interface system. The system utilizes rooftop solar panels as the energy resource for heating a 110-gallon storage unit with the capability of generating 80 to 90 percent of their hot water needs – and reducing their energy bills by approximately 15 to 20 percent.
           
“Solar thermal heating is growing dramatically in popularity right now,” reports Stigers. “Concern about environmental impact, the increasing price of natural gas, and most importantly, the government stepping up and providing incentives to install renewable energy has helped a lot.”

“We have been very committed to this idea and hope other people will catch on when they see that an energy-friendly home can have the luxuries and features they want,” summarizes Karin. “It takes a commitment to understand how to allocate and use energy wisely at times when power is most abundant and then shifting tasks to those times.”

GREEN SOLUTIONS:
•••• PV rooftop solar panels provide for almost all of the family’s energy needs.
•••• Energy-efficient appliances are connected with a “monorail” from the power source to kitchen fixtures, where low-voltage options are installed for increased energy efficiency.
•••• Passive solar home design saves energy.

READ MORE STORIES FROM THIS ISSUE:
• The Green Parade: Green Profiles, Outdoor Furnaces, Timber Frames, Green Remodel, & Architecture
• A Rebirth on the River: Riverside Hotel
• Special Lifestyle Section
• 2009 Feature Articles