CalEarth, the Superadobe folks who helped build the earthbag domes that comprise the Pegasus Children’s Project near Kathmandu, Nepal have sent out this press release:
Superadobe/Earthbag Orphanage Withstands Nepal Earthquake
Cal-Earth Low-cost Sustainable Earthen Housing Solutions Proved Effective and Safe in Earthquakes
Excellent site for DIY machines with free open source plans. Here are three practical machines that caught my attention:
“The annual cost of a rocket mass heater is less than a tenth of the annual cost of natural gas – and that’s if you buy the fuel instead of harvest it yourself. And a rocket mass heater emits less than a tenth of the greenhouse gasses. Many rocket mass heaters will heat a home with a tenth of the wood of what a conventional wood stove will use.
Reader question: What’s the best heating system for a 300 sq. ft. scoria bag roundhouse located at 5,000 ft. in western Colorado? I’ll use 2’ of blown cellulose insulation in the roof (about R-55).
“It is a great idea to create solar panel awnings for your business office (or home) because it keeps the sun out of the windows when the sun is high in the summer and allows sun in the windows in the winter for warmth.”
“It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Typically, up to 30% of a home’s energy consumption is used just to heat water for bathing, laundry, and cleaning. By installing a solar hot water system, homeowners can shave 200 to 500 kilowatt-hours off their electric bill per month, saving money and reducing pollution. Installing a solar hot water system is typically the first and most cost-effective step when turning to the sun for energy. Even if a photovoltaic system is your primary interest, a solar (thermal) hot water system along with a PV system will provide the best economics and space-efficiency on your roof.”