This an updated edition to the orginal that was uploaded in Sept of 06. About 5 additional minutes of footage have been added David and Harriet built a passive solar house in Troy NY in 1981. The home receives 2/3 of its heat by the sun through south facing windows. Tight construction and good insulation allows the solar gain heat to stay within the building. This saves about 500 gallons of heating oil per year. Supplemental heat is obtained by burning 1 1/2 cords of wood through the whole heating season. That saves 250 gallons of oil per year. Three photovoltaic systems provide more than the needed electricity throughout the year. The PV systems are both on grid and off grid. This home is one of hundreds that open their doors every year for the Green Buildings Open House the first saturday in Ocotober. For more information about GBOH, browse to http://www.nesea.org/buildings/openhouse