By Mike Stucka
BOXFORD — Fresh breezes sweep through the open spaces of Steve and Susan Howell's home, while hot air naturally flees through skylights that automatically close when rain begins. The home works so well that the Howells never added air conditioning when they built it 16 years ago, long before "green" housing got much discussion.
And so the Howells — who have been adding LED lighting, light tubes and other energy-saving features — will be among the hosts highlighted on the town's annual Tour of Homes on Saturday. This will be a critical fundraiser for tour organizer Boxford Elementary Schools Trust.
"We could possibly be in danger of not being able to cover all of the grants that people have applied for. We hadn't had to do that," spokesman Leslie DiNanno said.
She hopes Saturday's event will raise about $7,000, down from perhaps $20,000.
The proceeds could fund teachers' "green" projects, covering solar panels, the monitoring of a pond and hands-on science lessons. The eight homes on Saturday's tour also emphasize "green" themes, even down to pitchers of well water replacing bottled water.
The Howells found their sustainable construction project was life-changing. They melded classic techniques — like exposed timber-frame construction — with modern and sustainable materials. They liked it so much, in fact, that both ultimately quit their jobs in marketing and engineering.
"We built this house in '93, and I guess we got so into it we decided to leave what we were doing and do this for other people," Susan Howell said.
The timber-frame construction allows for better insulation, while lending a more natural look inside. Steve Howell used classic techniques — and even some from Japan — in the construction.
When space got tight, the family raised the roof over a crawl-in closet, making it large enough to host a bathroom made with largely new materials. A special toilet can save 2,000 gallons of water per person per year, while bathroom tiles are made from reclaimed glass.
If you go
Visitors can see "green" home techniques in eight houses Saturday. The tours begin at 9:45 a.m. at the Cole School, 28 Middleton Road, in Boxford. The tour costs $20 in advance, or $25 on the day of the tour. Lunches can be ordered in advance for another $10. Tickets are sold online at bestforboxford.org. Proceeds benefit projects in Boxford's elementary schools.
