Though many of us aspire to do more for the environment by managing our energy usage and waste, the learning leap and concerted effort it takes to be eco-friendly in our living space leaves most doing less than they would like. One Vienna couple is working harder, and accomplishing more. Others, including the Town of Vienna, are taking notice. Meet Dr. Maryam Dadkhah and Shawn Achziger. 

A frequent speaker at town meetings and under consideration for Tree Commission membership, Dadkhah shares suggestions on natural planting ordinance and deer management changes she hopes Vienna will make to improve the wider town environment. The couple recently hosted a small gathering at their property for elected officials and friends, to show the several measures they use at their home, and that could be adopted by others. Even small measures, they say, can add up as big help for the environment. Mayor Linda Colbert and council members Chuck Anderson and Howard Springsteen accepted their invitation to learn more about the measures used at the Dadkhah/Achziger home.

The Town of Vienna encourages home energy conservation through its Eco-Efficient Homes recognition program, managed by its Conservation and Sustainability Commission. Established in 2015, nominations are accepted from any resident or business and consider, for example: “installation of grid-connected solar panels or shingles; participation in Solarize Vienna; new houses or major renovations designed and built … for energy efficiency and conservation of resources; advanced technologies such as geothermal heating/cooking and solar heat collectors; stories about steps to reduce total energy consumption and waste.” The town recognized its first three homeowners and one business on Sept. 23.

Dadkhah and Achziger are among the homeowners recently recognized by the Town for eco-efficiency. They have installed solar panels and solar energy battery storage, achieving a 137 percent offset in their electric energy consumption, according to their provider, Dominion Energy. They use double paned windows and replaced their door with a tighter one. They drive electric vehicles and use a battery powered lawn mower. Their cistern and rain barrel system collects 220 gallons of water for use in yard care. During summer droughts, they also take the extra measure of collecting shower water before it heats to supplement plant watering. They regularly compost kitchen scraps, using a combination of methods: open air composting, with piled green and brown materials; direct composting, into the garden bed when vegetable growing conditions allow; and an EMO or effective microorganisms method, done indoors with multiple Bokashi containers, rotated for best fermentation. 

Fencing, a considerable expense, is a necessity here, as the Town of Vienna has not yet addressed its deer management problem. Deer can be seen boldly munching on any unprotected plants in yards and along streets, even during the day and within sight of human activities. Dadkhah cages plants in open areas except those varieties that deer avoid, such as thorned plants. The town council had tentatively scheduled a review of deer management in February 2025. Advocate Avril Garland warned that waiting so long to begin would allow at least two more breeding seasons, which could be expected to increase the town’s deer population exponentially. Council members agreed and now are expected to address the issue in their October work session. 

While discouraging deer, the Dadkhah/Achziger backyard provides inviting habitat for other creatures. Their landscaping provides room for mounding soil in a few spots; an inviting habitat for snakes to discourage small mammals from enjoying the compost bin or vegetable garden. Several vessels offer water for birds; the native plant gardens provide valuable food for birds and insects, as well as striking beauty. Vienna’s current vegetation ordinance is seen by some as too restricting for native plant landscaping. Like many, Dadkhah, who takes on the plant role for the couple, has sections of traditional warm season grasses, a nod to her husband who likes a yard look. They are removing more grass in favor of native plants, little by little. She is introducing native low-growing sedges to gradually replace grass in more open lawn areas. The mosquito traps they use capture only mosquitoes, their eggs, and larva, not moths and other flying insects, to reduce the mosquito population on their property without chemical dangers (Dalen Skeet-O-Trap). 

Could Dadkhah and Achziger’s do any more? They plan, but have not yet scheduled, a professional energy use audit. Achziger shares that they did consider adding a green roof to their garage. A green roof uses a layer of plants to reduce heat, purify air, reduce energy use, and capture carbon. Research revealed, however, that it would be a considerable expense to reinforce the existing garage support structure, given the significantly increased weight-bearing needs. Grey water collection would require a separate piping system. Nor did Dadkhah and Achziger find the idea of a dry composting toilet appealing. 

For more on the Vienna recognition program, see https://www.viennava.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/1514/637437190421970000. For more ideas on becoming energy efficient at your home, see Department of Energy’s guide, Tips on Saving Money and Energy in Your Home 

https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/energy-saver-guide-2022.pdf

Vienna’s September 2024 Eco-Efficient Home Recognitions 

Maryam Dadkhah and Shawn Achziger, 609 Alma St SW

Installed extensive amounts of native pollinators and native vegetation in front and backyard with deer fencing protection. Property has EV charging, Ipsun Solar roof panels, and battery storage; cistern and rain barrel collection system. Practice composting.

Damon and Natrisha Sanchez, 605 Gibson Dr SW

Implemented energy efficiency improvements including, for ventilation, better insulation in attic, and door seals; and drinking water treatment. Also installed solar power via Ispun Solar, and composting via Compost Crew

Susan Stillman, 214 Ayr Hill Ave NE

Intensive energy efficiency improvements including a bank of solar panels on the roof, all-electric appliances, LED lighting, triple-paned windows, and extensive amounts of insulation. Has heat-pump water heater. Native Eastern Star sedge in lieu of traditional lawn grasses. Certified as a Phius ZERO 2021 Design Certification (the industry standard for net zero energy design for existing buildings. 

David Peabody and Izumi Kitajima from Peabody Fine Architects 

Recognized for the design implementations at 214 Ayr Hill Ave NE.

Eco-houses typically include some or most of the following:

* Higher than normal levels of thermal insulation

* Better than normal air-tightness

* Good level of daylight

* Passive solar orientation (glazing oriented south for light and heat)

* Thermal mass to absorb that solar heat

* Minimum north-facing glazing to reduce heat loss

* Mechanical ventilation with hear recovery system

* Heating from renewable solar, heat pump or biomass 

* Photovoltaic panels, small wind turbine or electricity from a ‘green’ supplier

* Natural materials (avoidance of PVCs and other plastics)

* Rainwater harvesting

* Grey-water collection

* Windows with double or triple-glaze and vacuum layer 

* Solar panels or wind turbines

* Geothermal heating and growing plants on the roof to regulate temperature, quiet the house, and produce oxygen

* Vegetable patch outside for food production

* Composting toilet