Sterling’s parents lived in cold houses for much of their life. Locally, but especially in England, houses were drafty, with single-paned windows and an insulation R-value that seemed to be negative.
When they purchased land in Atwoodville for a vineyard and residence, they decided to build the WARM house they had always hoped for. Dr. James Bobbitt, an Organic Chemistry professor at the University of Connecticut, decided to do his own research. The result was a house that faced south (toward the grapes, of course) and featured both active and passive solar features. A solar hot water heater, a large Finnish fireplace with a firebox and a convoluted chimney that ran up through massive masonry. Jim maintained that he could put the Sunday New York Times in the firebox and heat the house for three days!
A large sun room could capture the sun’s heat in winter, frequently reaching temperatures over 100 degrees. The warm air was pushed by fans into the basement, forming a large warm air reservoir which heated the whole house, AND THE WINERY downstairs! Large double-paned windows all faced the south, while much smaller windows on the north side released little heat. A “mud room” by the front door also helped to trap the warmer air inside and keep out the cold.
During the summer months, an overhang provided some shade during the hottest parts of the summer. He later added a large solar array to the roof, in part to justify the luxury of air-conditioning. Three thermostats allowed him to set just the right temperature (and save on heating unoccupied rooms.)
Everything was hyper-insulated! Walls are about 12 inches thick. Thick batting covered the attic floor and lined the basement ceiling. A massive fan could exchange all of the air in the house in a few minutes. Finally, a warm comfortable home!
Sterling said “My father and mother lived here for many years, enjoying the countryside, growing grapes and making wine, sharing many happy memories. The harvest was a massive party. For each hour worked, one got a bottle of wine. Typically, the loudest sound in the neighborhood now is the neighbor’s rooster.
“I always loved visiting my parents here, and when my father passed away and my mother decided to move to California, I could not wait to leave suburbia and move here. Dad pulled out all the vines years ago, leaving only six around the arbor. Still, I’ve so enjoyed the seasons (I grew up in Mansfield) and a house that can get so warm on a winter’s day that yes, we occasionally open the windows! There is more work to do – heat pumps are high on the list – but my parent’s house is a treasure that I savor. Watching fireflies dance over the meadow, the sweep of forest turn yellow and gold in Autumn, and being tucked safe and warm as snowflakes drift across those double-paned windows is a delight.”
