“Remember to Dream…”
Fallbrook Fire Survivors, Kenneth and Shannon Rexrode are in the process of rebuilding their sustainable dream home. The Rexrodes see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I was determined to rebuild a home that would virtually be fire proof, very green, and extremely energy efficient,” said Kennth Rexrode.
“I wanted to be a part of the future and build something creative and highly energy efficient.”
Some of the Rexrode’s energy-efficient features include: Solar Panels, Solar Water Heating, a cool roof system, reclaimed lumber from the same fire that burned the original home, energy-efficient windows, drought/fire resistant landscaping and electric car charge ports to utilize solar energy for vehicles.
The new home has a Title 24 rating of more than 68 percent.
“At this point, we’re about 75% finished and just can’t wait to move into our Green, solar powered Pueblo,” said Rexrode.
Their rebuilding advice…”Remember to have fun and to dream a little bit.”
“The Macomber’s Blueprints are covered with Green!”
“For about 45 minutes we had our motorcycle helmets on hosing down the flames trying to put out the fire,” said Macomber.
They had to get to safety and leave their home behind. Now, in the rebuilding process the Macombers blueprints are covered with green. They are rebuilding their home LEED certified, the highest green it gets.
” Even if it costs more, that’s okay with me because we are making a big difference for our environment.”
“Why build green? It’s just the right thing for many reasons.”
Out of those many reasons…the environment tops the list for Fire Survivor Ellen Norton, as she rebuilds her energy-efficient home. “Conservation of precious resourses, less pollution and making a political stance against foreign oil are all important, ” said Norton.
Her home now stands as a green example in the community.
“I DO think it will pay off financially relatively soon, but that wasn’t my primary reason,” said Norton.
By incorporating Solar PV, solar hot water, solar pool heating, Energy Star appliances, low flow toilets and much more, the Norton’s have drastically decreased their carbon footprint. Norton says the workshops at CCSE helped her to make informed decisions about Solar.
“They “de-mystified” solar, making it sound reasonable for regular people,” said Norton
“It’s Education you could trust from environmentally minded people not selling the product.”
“I’m happy to open up my home and show people what I did and why I did it.”
After the 2007 wildfires the vast devastation could be seen throughout San Diego. Now, many homes are in the rebuilding process and fire survivors see this as a green opportunity. San Diego Fire Survivor, Ken Baker, wants to show others that they can make safe, energy-efficient and fire-resistant choices when rebuilding their homes.
“When I saw the ashes after the fire I felt numb,” said Baker. “I didn’t even want to sift through the dirt.”
Baker said his goal was to make something good from something bad.
“Building green, energy-efficient and fire-resistant is very important to me, and I’m happy to open my home up and show people what I did and why I did it.”
Baker is not selling anything he is just happy to share his experience and what he has learned through the process.
Like Ken Baker, The California Center for Sustainable Energy’s Rebuild Central Program believes it’s very important to get this information to the fire survivors. Rebuild Central does this through its workshops and community outreach.
