Environmental Conservation at Liberty Village
Rain Gardens
Recently, a Rain Garden was installed to hold up runoff from impermeable areas of the village. This project was supported by the Monocacy & Catoctin Watershed Alliance. A second rain garden was installation this spring. Take a look at what we've done here.
A recent view (above)
Ground Assist Heat Pumps
The houses in Liberty Village all feature ground-assist heat pumps. Each unit has its own well, and a heat exchange fluid is circulated (closed loop) to tap the earth's own heat, which is approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat exhange fluid cools the summer air and in winter the air is heated by electricity to reach the desired temperature. The heating and cooling is very inexpensive compared to conventional systems, though the capital cost is considerable. It also is very quiet - there is no heat exchanger outside the house as with conventional heat pump systems. Coupled with well-insulated construction, Liberty Village houses are extremely efficient to heat and cool.
Recycling
Trash recycling (cans, bottles, boxes) goes to a county drop-off in Mt. Pleasant. We maintain a compost pile near the garden for yard waste, and food scraps go directly to the chickens.