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Transition Sooke hosts second ecohome tour

Tour features seven local houses demonstrating basic to extreme eco-friendly practices
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Picture a home that is made almost entirely of non-toxic materials, is completely self-sustainable and gets stronger as it ages B次元官网网址 sounds almost too good to be true, doesnB次元官网网址檛 it? But for Arno Keinonen, this is soon to be a reality.

And see it for yourself during on Oct. 14., which features the East Sooke homeB次元官网网址檚 building site.

B次元官网网址淥ur house is the first in the world which uses the hemp-lime material as structural frame,B次元官网网址 Keinonen said.

The material resembles Lego blocks, and is made from a Calgary-based company called JustBioFibre.

B次元官网网址淲e are just about retired, and we want to spend the money we earned throughout our careers getting rid of burning oil, and creating a more sustainable future for the generations ahead,B次元官网网址 Keinonen said.

, the blocks absorb CO2 while hardening, and after 100 years, they will reach their full strength. He said the blocks are also fire resistant.

Keinonen said they are trying to use all non-toxic materials to build the house, making it better for the atmosphere and for peopleB次元官网网址檚 health, and hopes it will be used as an example for future buildings.

When the house is finished, it will be almost completely self-sustainable, using solar power for electricity, and using both a well and rain as a water source. Keinonen added that the house will also have a septic treatment system, so it will send clean water back in to nature.

Keinonen and his wife also both drive electric cars to lessen their environmental impact even more.

B次元官网网址淪o many people talk about a sustainable future and climate change, but I donB次元官网网址檛 think there are a lot of people taking serious action to make a difference,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a no brainer, this is how houses should be built.B次元官网网址

His current home in Colwood is powered by solar panels, and was featured on a Solar CRD ecohome tour a few years ago. Keinonen said he is excited for people to come and see his new home, and hopes it will inspire people to be more eco-friendly too.

B次元官网网址淭o see pictures and read about it is one thing, but when people actually come and see the house with their own eyes is when they will realize how unique it is,B次元官网网址 Keinonen said.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 ecohome event will include tours of six homes, three in Sooke and three in East Sooke, and will give visitors a chance to see modern building techniques, geared towards lowering their environmental impact on Earth.

It will also feature a seventh stop at an average Sooke house, which will give people ideas on basic eco-friendly practices, and how to conserve energy in their own homes.

said they are dedicated to addressing climate change, and showcasing these alternative houses is a direct answer.

B次元官网网址淥ur mission is to build awareness to climate change and how to live more eco-friendly,B次元官网网址 said Bateman. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a trend happening and we basically want to show how thatB次元官网网址檚 evolving in the Sooke region.B次元官网网址

Tickets cost $5 per person, or $10 per car load and are available only on the day of the event. They can be purchased at the Stick in the Mud Coffeehouse in Sooke.

If your household particpates in eco-friendly behavior, for example having weatherproofed doors or windows, water-heater blankets, energy efficient appliances, LED lighting, a heat pump or a wood-pellet stove and would like to have your home be the seventh stop showcased on this tour, contact sooketransition@gmail.com.

, contact Jeff Bateman at 250-642-2056 or jbateman@shaw.ca.



dawn.gibson@sookenewsmirror.com

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