People powered house part II

The following list is some of the ideas we have for our "people" powered house:

1. Composting toilet

2.Gray water recycling
a. filtration
b. plant beds
c. Plant/garden watering

3. Low-pressure water system
a. 12 VDC electric pump

4. Ultra-efficient washing machine

5. Indoor clothes drying rack, or line
a. Japanese inspired

6. Cooking
a. L.P.
b. microwave
c. steam
d. focus primarily on fresh, non-cooked diet.

7. Steam generator
a. heat
b. cooking
c. hot water

8. On-grid electrical, but able to sustain off-grid
a. solar
b. wind
c. human generated
1. pedal
2. elliptical
3. hand

9. Recycling shower
a. wash/lather cycle
b. rinse cycle

10. Low powered lighting
a. LED
b. fluorescent

11. Water sources
a. well
b. rainwater
c. ground sources
d. filtration
1. plant filled tanks
2. conventional wound filters
3. charcoal filters
4. sand/ gravel filtration

12. Water heating
a. L.P.
b. solar
c. electric

This list is by no means complete. We could like comments and ideas from everyone. Please feel free to post!

People Powered House? Part I

We spent Friday afternoon brainstorming the feasibility of a "people" powered dwelling. Basically, what we are looking at is an ultra-efficient, ultra-low carbon footprint home that includes the ability to generate electricity and sustain the occupant without the requirement of being on-grid.

NHARC water systems III

We finished the plumbing to the well today. Now it's up to Dug to connect the main system to the the plumbing that he has been working hard to finish. We used a larger than normal pressure tank, due to the large family size. The photos show the completed fitting tree and tank.

NHARC water systems II

We spent the afternoon working on the plumbing again in the NHARC. We reinforced the shelf for the water tank, and installed the fitting tree that Paul put together the other day. Ryan set up a wood frame for mounting the pumps and plumbing for the water heaters. The photos show Ryan working on a heat exhanger, and the installed fitting tree. Also shown is the heat pump/ water heating assembly.