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Author Topic:   Green and less dependent on "grid" corporations ...
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 31 of 43 (730557)
06-28-2014 11:19 PM
Reply to: Message 30 by Theodoric
06-28-2014 10:37 AM


Re: Hot Water System
No one is allowed to run water mindlessly at my house. The only septic system we can have is a holding tank. It is 4000 gals and in a home with 2 women, two boys 8 and 5, and me we have to have it pumped a little more than once a month. At $200/pump it irks me when people run water purposely down the drain.
Separate your gray water (from washing) from organic waste, use it to water your lawn.
http://www.ehow.com/...8428190_design-grey-water-system.html
Get a composting toilet and use the compost in a garden.
http://letsgogreen.com/how-composting-toilets-work.html
Or an incinerating toilet
http://electrictoiletonline.com/
Enjoy

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


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This message is a reply to:
 Message 30 by Theodoric, posted 06-28-2014 10:37 AM Theodoric has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 32 by Theodoric, posted 06-29-2014 11:16 AM RAZD has replied
 Message 34 by ringo, posted 06-30-2014 12:24 PM RAZD has replied

  
Theodoric
Member
Posts: 9076
From: Northwest, WI, USA
Joined: 08-15-2005
Member Rating: 3.7


Message 32 of 43 (730589)
06-29-2014 11:16 AM
Reply to: Message 31 by RAZD
06-28-2014 11:19 PM


Re: Hot Water System
Separate your gray water (from washing) from organic waste, use it to water your lawn.
Can not do that legally here. Gray water lines are not allowed by code. Also do not want the chemicals from washing in my lawn. Have though about letting it go out into woods behind house but it wont absorb quick enough because of the clay.
Composting and incinerating toilets are not practical alternatives with 3 adults, 2 boys and 2 bathrooms.

Facts don't lie or have an agenda. Facts are just facts
"God did it" is not an argument. It is an excuse for intellectual laziness.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 31 by RAZD, posted 06-28-2014 11:19 PM RAZD has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 33 by RAZD, posted 06-30-2014 10:29 AM Theodoric has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 33 of 43 (731802)
06-30-2014 10:29 AM
Reply to: Message 32 by Theodoric
06-29-2014 11:16 AM


Re: Hot Water System
Can not do that legally here. Gray water lines are not allowed by code. ...
So ask for a variance due to your extenuating circumstances (if you don't ask they can't say yes) or collect it in containers to use on garden (see rain barrels for containers).
... Also do not want the chemicals from washing in my lawn. Have though about letting it go out into woods behind house but it wont absorb quick enough because of the clay.
So separate that from the rest of the system, and let it go to the cistern. Alternatively change your soaps to eliminate the chemicals.
Composting and incinerating toilets are not practical alternatives with 3 adults, 2 boys and 2 bathrooms.
Think about adding an incinerating toilet in Master bathroom, and that reduces load on the cistern by 40% (two adults).
Also consider a urinal sytem and urine collection -- diluted (with grey water) urine is a good fertilizer:
Garden Guides | The Effects of Urine on Tomato Plants
Or continue to pay to get rid of perfectly good water and fertilizer ... and buy water and fertilizer ...
Enjoy.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


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This message is a reply to:
 Message 32 by Theodoric, posted 06-29-2014 11:16 AM Theodoric has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 412 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(2)
Message 34 of 43 (731806)
06-30-2014 12:24 PM
Reply to: Message 31 by RAZD
06-28-2014 11:19 PM


Re: Hot Water System
RAZD writes:
Separate your gray water (from washing) from organic waste, use it to water your lawn.
I don't water my lawn at all. If it can't survive on its own, it has no business in my yard.

"I just rattled off that post not caring whether any of it was true or not if you want to know." -- Faith

This message is a reply to:
 Message 31 by RAZD, posted 06-28-2014 11:19 PM RAZD has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 35 by RAZD, posted 06-30-2014 4:00 PM ringo has seen this message but not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 35 of 43 (731815)
06-30-2014 4:00 PM
Reply to: Message 34 by ringo
06-30-2014 12:24 PM


Re: Hot Water System
RAZD writes:
Separate your gray water (from washing) from organic waste, use it to water your lawn.
I don't water my lawn at all. If it can't survive on its own, it has no business in my yard.
Theodoric's problem was having to pay to get rid of water and other waste, I'm just suggesting ways to reduce that cost.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


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This message is a reply to:
 Message 34 by ringo, posted 06-30-2014 12:24 PM ringo has seen this message but not replied

  
ramoss
Member (Idle past 612 days)
Posts: 3228
Joined: 08-11-2004


Message 36 of 43 (735564)
08-18-2014 2:09 AM


One of the big issues with green energy is storage of energy for when the sun don't shine, or the wind don't blow ..
So , this is something to put where the sun don't shine.
It appears that a new rival to using graphene as a super capacitor has arrived. It is made from , you got it stoners, HEMP (the non-thc type.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/...ases/2014/08/140812121549.htm

Replies to this message:
 Message 37 by RAZD, posted 08-18-2014 3:29 AM ramoss has replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 37 of 43 (735571)
08-18-2014 3:29 AM
Reply to: Message 36 by ramoss
08-18-2014 2:09 AM


hot water
It appears that a new rival to using graphene as a super capacitor has arrived. It is made from , you got it stoners, HEMP (the non-thc type.
too cool ...
One of the big issues with green energy is storage of energy for when the sun don't shine, or the wind don't blow ..
I'm currently working on a system to collect solar heated water in a tank, similar to a hot water heater, for use in (a) house hot water and (b) hot water heating. The current gas hot water heater would become a stand-by unit. Both would operate in case of a power outage and the solar heated water would reduce my usage of gas. The pumps for the heating system will be 12vdc pumps run off a deep-cycle battery bank that stores solar panel electrical output.
The first prototype is already providing hot water for an outdoor shower (the whole setup is outside, so it won't be good in the winter).
The next level would involve a 55 gallon drum for storage of solar collector liquid (with some antifreeze component) with a copper coil to transfer heat to water for consumption (the 'antifreeze' liquid could be used directly for the heating system). The liquid in the drum would be at static head, while water in the coil would be street pressure, so any leak would be from the coil to the drum.
Enjoy

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 36 by ramoss, posted 08-18-2014 2:09 AM ramoss has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 38 by ramoss, posted 08-18-2014 10:21 AM RAZD has replied

  
ramoss
Member (Idle past 612 days)
Posts: 3228
Joined: 08-11-2004


Message 38 of 43 (735581)
08-18-2014 10:21 AM
Reply to: Message 37 by RAZD
08-18-2014 3:29 AM


Re: hot water
That is how the commercially available hot water solar systems work. I believe what a lot of them do is 'preheat' the water that is supposed to go into what ever gas/oil burner people have.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 37 by RAZD, posted 08-18-2014 3:29 AM RAZD has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 39 by RAZD, posted 08-18-2014 5:27 PM ramoss has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 39 of 43 (735605)
08-18-2014 5:27 PM
Reply to: Message 38 by ramoss
08-18-2014 10:21 AM


Re: hot water
I believe what a lot of them do is 'preheat' the water that is supposed to go into what ever gas/oil burner people have.
Every liter bit helps

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 38 by ramoss, posted 08-18-2014 10:21 AM ramoss has not replied

  
saab93f
Member (Idle past 1394 days)
Posts: 265
From: Finland
Joined: 12-17-2009


Message 40 of 43 (735615)
08-19-2014 3:10 AM
Reply to: Message 15 by frako
01-04-2014 6:54 AM


We halved our heating costs by switching from oil burner to geothermal energy. On top two floors the radiators remained but in the basement we have radiant heating. The system has altogether five zones - one for the radiators since they require much hotter water than the radiant and four for different rooms in the basement (the sauna and bathroom have two degrees warmer circulation so that the floor dries up faster).
Previously our heating costs were in the region of 3000 per year and now the are roughly 1500. The system cost 16 grand so it should be less than ten years for it to have paid itself.
Page not found – Thermia

This message is a reply to:
 Message 15 by frako, posted 01-04-2014 6:54 AM frako has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 41 by RAZD, posted 08-19-2014 8:17 AM saab93f has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


(1)
Message 41 of 43 (735618)
08-19-2014 8:17 AM
Reply to: Message 40 by saab93f
08-19-2014 3:10 AM


Radiant Heat
... but in the basement we have radiant heating. ...
Love radiant heating - when I started remodeling this house I put in radiant heating in the kitchen, which is difficult to heat otherwise, and the dining area, because I wanted to preserve a colonial period architecture. We loved it so much that we have been installing it in every room as we remodel ... with one left to go. I even have radiant heat under the shower stall.
... the radiators since they require much hotter water than the radiant ...
Which is another benefit - I can heat the house off the hot water heater, which still operates when there is a power outage (we have had two in three years, and I expect them to increase as the grid gets more overloaded with new construction). That means I can dispense with the boiler, and use solar to supplement the hot water heater and have an additional backup.
I also have a cute venturi "pump" that uses street water through a venturi nozzle to suck 2+ gallons of water for every gallon of street water as a backup sump pump (float set 1" higher than the electrical sump pump). In testing it was able to pump the sump even while I had the hose filling it at full throttle.
Enjoy

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 40 by saab93f, posted 08-19-2014 3:10 AM saab93f has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


(1)
Message 42 of 43 (737940)
10-02-2014 12:37 PM


artistic wind generators
http://artturbine.com/
Much more aesthetic than those airplane propeller systems
And you can make your own to mount on your house (over the chimney?)
Enjoy

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click)

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


(1)
Message 43 of 43 (737945)
10-02-2014 1:37 PM


Solar Hot Water pre-heating system
Currently working on a solar hot water collection system.
The solar heat collector is ~300 feet of cpvc pipe arranged in a 4ft x 5.3ft box, painted flat black and covered with clear plastic (to keep out debris and lessen heat loss to wind). Located on top of the back porch.
The heat storage is provided by a recycled 55 gallon barrel, filled with water and non-toxic antifreeze (such as is used to winterize RV water systems), located in the basement, wrapped in insulation.
The antifreeze water is cycled through the heat collector during the day by a 12 to 24 vdc pump, powered from a deep cycle battery recharged by a solar photovoltaic panel.
A thermostat in the heat collector box turns on the pump when the temperature exceeds 60°F, using the AC control circuit (and the setting can be adjusted by wifi). The water out of the tap is at ~55°F, so only hotter fluid is pumped into the barre from the collector.
A copper coil in the barrel transfers the heat to the potable water in the tubing, which is at house pressure (~70 psi, while the barrel is at atmospheric pressure) and feeds to the inlet side of the gas water heater, so any heat over the temperature coming out of the tap means less gas needed to provide steady hot water.
This is the prototype system test, with 60 feet of tube in concrete painted black; the battery and pump are behind the collector panel; this system was able to heat the water in the barrel to 98°F -- I expect the ~300 ft collector should be able to get considerably hotter.
Currently I am planning the heat transfer coil to go down into the barrel inside a baffle and then back up outside the baffle, with all connections at the top of the barrel, and this will be the next part to prototype and test. The question here is how much copper tube do I need to get efficient transfer of heat from the barrel liquid into the water in the tubing.
Enjoy.
Edited by RAZD, : clrty

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click)

  
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