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Why are you concerned about the ability to be self-sustaining?R The rising cost of fossil fuels, and their effect on the environment had us veryconcerned about the future for our children and grandchildren. It is well knownthat non-renewable fossil fuels will be depleted in the next 50 to 100 years,making self -sustaining home design a necessity. We want to raise awareness of thefeasibility and ease of this type of design, even today.What are the new building materials you chose and what is special aboutthem?R The radiant floor heating is constructed of "mass" (stone, concrete, etc.), whichcollects and stores solar heat. The heat is circulated to other areas of the home bywater tubing embedded in the floor.R The windows are double -glazed, krypton gas filled, low -e and fibreglass framed.This offers insulation, while allowing the heat of the sun to pass through.R The roof is covered with soil, which absorbs heat and moisture, and insulates.R Straw bales are an annually renewable resource, and very i nexpensive, whileoffering a high insulation value (approximately R43).R Bamboo flooring is another annually renewable material, which has the warmthand superior quality when compared to hardwood floorsR The post -and -beam structure uses glue-lam beams, which are constructed ofcompressed "waste" wood and glue. They are much stronger, and more durablethan conventional wood beams.288