Thyme In the Country began five years ago when the Koches bought their house on Fish and Game Road and started to add sustainable features one by one. Solar panels, an organic garden, energy efficient appliances and heating system, a cow to keep the grass down in the meadows, chickens. 

In renovating the house we use recycled building materials as much as possible, such as Blue Jean insulation, used windows, Old school chalk boards in lieu of tile or stone in the bathroom, dual flush toilet in our new bathroom.  If we do use new wood we try to harvest it ourselves and mill it locally.  We employ local contractors and craftsmen.

MINIMISING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Heating: We have 3 heating zones connected to a new efficient oil furnace. This helps keep our oil usage down, by heating areas according to need. We also heat our kitchen with a wood stove and use it for some cooking in the winter.

Cooling: We use fans, open the windows strategically, pull the shades to keep sunrays out at times during the day. Use individual room air conditioning when it is very hot and humid. Our house is well insulated with many large and old trees throwing shade on the property. 

Cleaning: Fresh air is a key part of keeping things clean. We open windows when we clean to air out the house.  We hang out the area rugs every week and vacuum with a Hepa filtered vacuum.  We use vinegar, baking soda and other non-chemical cleaners to clean the house, the dishes and the laundry. Curtains are washed seasonally. Heavy drapes in winter are replaced with light curtains in summer.  Our floors are wiped with a damp rag by hand weekly. Our hand soap is made by a local soap maker.

Water: We minimize water use in laundry and dishwashing with a very water efficient appliances,  We have a porous driveway, We collect water for the gardens in rain barells.

We recycle the trash we do produce and try to keep trash from even entering the property by purchasing locally grown foods, bulk buying, second hand shopping.  The paper products that we do buy are made from paper, not trees.

Lighting: We use compact fluorescent light bulbs, motion sensor lighting outside and consciously turn lights off. We have 3 Solar Panels that provide one third to one half of our electricity.