Cell Phone Control
Here is something from Bau-Biologie that is interesting:
Microwave Radiation – Cell phones, Wi-Fi
Are they safe?
As fast as possible, our society is becoming more and more technologically oriented. Homes, schools, offices, entire communities are making decisions to go wireless. Cell phones are proliferating at an alarming rate. These devices were never pre-market tested for your safety. [...]
Hot Water Home Run, Return and Mixing
Here is an image of the proposed plumbing setup for the green show house in Brooklyn. Chester Birchwood from New York Solar Systems is installing it.
It has three interesting components. These apply to hot water only since we are really managing the amount of energy we added to the hot water. The cold water [...]
External Transparent Heat Transfer Wall
I’m experimenting with a transparent heat transfer wall.
It would be a transparent wall attached to the outer south wall, leaving about one inch between them. The out wall would be painted a dark color. Ideally it would be black but that would be too much of an eye sore. So dark brown would be fine. [...]
Adding Solar gain and recyclables to Facade
Above: Facade with planter and recycled joists.
Originally the top facade of the building had a lot of rotted wood. And there was a great view. So in the heat of the summer I tore down the wall and planned on adding a wall of glass. It would have been magnificent.
But then as the cooler [...]
Zero Energy Houses
One technology I have my eyes on is developed by Isomax.
They build homes that require basically no heating or cooling at all, regardless of where the house it. How do they do it?
They use a series of air and water tubes and ducts to pass heat and cold around. They have tubes in the roof [...]
Passiv Haus (Passive House)
A “new” construction style coming out of Germany creates houses that barely need energy to run. They don’t even have heating systems. In the dead of winter they might need a little space heater but that is is. What is the secret? Here is a list from their site:
Compact form and good insulation:
All components of [...]
Fanatic Insulation
I have a moto that I live by when building: Fanatic Insulation. I’m not sure if I coined the phrase but I think I did . We use weather barrier, caulk, insulation, foam, flashing etc like there we’re building an antarctic deep sea submarine.
Considering some European standards, notably in Germany, our insulation style actually [...]
Laying the foundation for the concrete slab
We have completely dug down the cellar by 3 and 1/2 feet. Then we put a vapour barrier and 3 inch insulation which we taped at the seams. Then we put down the salvaged fencing from the back yard to act as strengthener for the cement. On the fence we tied the pex tubing for [...]
Inserting the Insulation Into the Roof Ceiling
We are inserting the salvaged poly iso insulation board into the top floor ceiling of the house between the joists. All the joists have been sistered with “new” salvaged joists. You can see the bolts holding them together. We are packing four layers of poly iso board, making it an air tight R 36. The [...]
About House Wrap and Tar Paper
Here is an interesting article. It describes all the kinds of house wraps and vapor barriers in detail. It also concludes that despite all the fancy new products the good old tar paper is still the preferred product for the author.
I like building that sticks to the basics and avoids as much as possible fancy [...]