Nov 29, 2009 - 04:30 AM

By Melissa Mancini

DURHAM -- Right now, it's just a regular house.

Sitting at 575 Lakeridge Rd. S. in Whitby is a home that looks like any other resale property. But a trio of local residents is hoping that by next year it will be much more.

The house is officially the site of Durham Eco-House as of Saturday, Nov. 29, when ground will be broken on the project. Eco-House executive director Bill Hamm said many people know they can buy a new home that is environmentally friendly, but one of the goals of this project is to show homeowners how their houses can be made greener.

"We want to showcase and demonstrate what environmental benefits can be achieved (in homes) using retrofits," he said.

The retrofits done on the home over the next couple months will range from big projects like a geothermal heating system to small changes that can be easily made in homes, such as low-flow toilets and energy-efficient appliances, Mr. Hamm said.

The house will have solar heating and water basins around it to catch rain which will be then used to irrigate the property. It already has bamboo floors.

The project is run by a board of three, Mr. Hamm, Michael McKenzie and Ivan Flood, the owner of the home. The project is a registered not-for-profit that Mr. Hamm hopes will garner donations from industry players and grants from government.

It's set to be open to the public in spring 2010, so residents can check out how the retrofits work and see the cost benefits of environmental remodelling, Mr. Hamm said. But the property will be a constant work in progress, with new environmentally friendly fixtures and improvements being made.

Admission to the property will be free and the rooms in the home will serve as showrooms with marketing materials from companies that sell eco-friendly products, he said.

"It will be ever-changing," he said. "We'll create a relaxed, neutral environment in the house. No salespeople."

But the plan also includes having dealers and suppliers send representatives on certain weekends so if visitors have questions about the product they can go to the house and ask in person.

For more information on Durham Eco-House contract Mr. Hamm at info@durhameco-house.ca.