The Cliffs
Cottage at Furman University has all the latest technological innovations in
sustainable living -- geothermal heating and cooling, two solar technologies,
even cisterns that collect rainwater from the roof, and more. Furnished with
products that are environmentally sustainable, like bamboo floors and tile made
from recycled glass, the home has 3,400 square feet, but is so energy-efficient
that it can be heated and cooled for less than $75 a month.
The Cliffs
Cottage at Furman is
Southern Living magazine’s first “green” showcase home. It
was built on campus in 2008 to serve as a model of environmentally responsible
design, sustainable building techniques and materials, and energy-saving
systems. In addition
to Furman and
Southern Living, the principal partners in the project are The
Cliffs Communities, Duke Energy and Bank of America.
Some of the
home’s features:
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A passive solar design, which integrates an assortment of building features to
reduce the need for cooling and heating and daytime artificial lighting.
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The Cliffs Cottage utilizes a geothermal heating and cooling system.
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There are two solar technologies — solar thermal for heating water and solar
electric (photovoltaic) technology for generating electrical power. Heat from
the sun is captured through two roof-mounted flat plate collectors, which then
is transferred to an 80-gallon storage tank. The solar thermal technology can
provide up to 80 percent of domestic hot water needs.
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The bathrooms contain low-flow showerheads and faucets.
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The formal and organic gardens that surround the Cliffs Cottage feature native
plants that can tolerate the region’s climate and soil conditions, as well as
typical ornamental plantings that are drought tolerant and easy to maintain.
Most of the water needs for the gardens are supplied by one 12,000-gallon
cistern system that collects rainwater from the roof.
The Cliffs
Cottage will be open to the public through the end of August. After August, the
house will be retrofitted as the university’s Center for Sustainability, which
will provide office and meeting space for the university’s sustainability
initiatives.
For more
information, visit the Cliffs Cottage Web site at www.furmancliffscottage.com,
or call 864-294-2396.
