A Sustainable Off-Grid Lifestyle, Eco-Education Experience

Treat this experience like an off the grid, eco lifestyle journey. Learn about sustainable living and earth friendly architecture while enjoying nature's surroundings in lovely Hockley Valley. Ketchum House was built to be shared as the previous owners opened their doors every year for Earth Day. We are now open everyday and look forward to sharing our passion for sustainable lifestyle education. The house has two compost toilets, a 9,000 litre underground water reservoir that fills with rain water from the flat roof, a 7 ton brick and ceramic wood fired furnace, an interior gray water filtration system, a natural air cooling and purification system and the most innovative seasonal shading technique on the planet. Hot water is generated through an interior system of pipes and highly conductive fins that naturally heat the water by the sun coming into the main foyer. The hot water rises and fills the tank situated in the master bedroom. In the winter months, the fireplace becomes the second source of hot water heating and uses carbon neutral wood. This home is not even connected to the grid so all your energy is created by solar, wind, the land, and wood. Guests will have access to the entire house and property other than one small main floor room that we use for our personal belongings. During the winter months of heavy snow, please be advised that you will need to walk up the little hill to get to Ketchum House. Feel free to bring your sleds and sleigh wagons to carry your belongings to and from the house. There is no WiFi on the property so your own LTE data plan will be used. There is excellent coverage at Ketchum House and for movie stimulus we have an ole school, 90's TV and DVD combo to entertain your mind! ***Disclaimer: Please note that the number of guests must not exceed the guest allowance stated in the listing. If it is discovered that you have exceeded the maximum number of guests, your stay will be cancelled and you will be asked to leave.*** The house has two compost toilets, a 9,000 litre underground water reservoir that fills with rain water from the flat roof, a 7 ton brick and ceramic wood fired furnace, an interior gray water filtration system, a natural air cooling and purification system and the most innovative seasonal shading technique on the planet. Hot water is generated through an interior system of pipes and highly conductive fins that naturally heat the water by the sun coming into the main foyer. The hot water rises and fills the tank situated in the master bedroom. In the winter months, the fireplace becomes the second source of hot water heating and uses carbon neutral wood. This home is not even connected to the grid so all your energy is created by solar, wind, the land, and wood. Guests will have access to the entire house and property other than one small main floor room that we use for our personal belongings. During the winter months of heavy snow, please be advised that you will need to walk up the little hill to get to Ketchum House. Feel free to bring your sleds and sleigh wagons to carry your belongings to and from the house. Our mission is to use Ketchum House as a catalyst to connect people and share simple tips to counteract our current environmental problems. We will start with a comprehensive personal tour that will be supplemented thereafter by virtual tour points throughout the house. Less than five minutes away is a restaurant called Loretto Tavern. This great country saloon is perfect for line dancing or simple country food. Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is 15 minutes away and within the same vicinity is another great restaurant called Mono Cliffs Inn. In the basement there is a quaint pub called Peter Cellars and an amazing personality, Wayne. Hockley Valley resort is less than 15 minutes away and has skiing in the winter, golf in the summer and world class dining and spa facilities. Hockley General Store has a LCBO along with a restaurant for the best breakfast in the area. Both Orangeville and Alliston are only 20 minutes away - Transportation is by car. If you are hiking in the area we can plan to drop off service around the many trials in the area (subject to availability). There is no WiFi on the property so your own LTE data plan will be used. There is excellent coverage at Ketchum House and for movie stimulus we have an ole school, 90's TV and DVD combo to entertain your mind! ***Disclaimer: Please note that the number of guests must not exceed the guest allowance stated in the listing. If it is discovered that you have exceeded the maximum number of guests, your stay will be cancelled and you will be asked to leave.***