Passive solar

[Ailsa C. Ek]

Hi guys.  I was researching concrete block construction cos, well, I understand concrete blocks.  Foundation, rebar, blocks, adobe covering, got it.  Anyway, I ran into this site http://www.thenaturalhome.com/index.html.  It seems interesting, but I lack the knowlege to evaluate their claims or what they're offering.  I feel like they're asking an awful lot for not so much and that I could find similiar information elsewhere for a bit less than $69.95, let alone $1200-whatever.  Can any of you all comment?

[jonsey/downunder]

Hi Ailsa,
I would say that what they are offering is probably fair value. Although you can find most of the information free elsewhere on the net, it requires a bit of research. The building style they are using is a version of the earthship concept and to my way of thinking is fairly sound. Having said that I could see the sloped windows being a bit of a problem in a hot climate. Here are a couple of links for you.  
http://www.gradyallengooch.com/
http://www.earthpower1.com/
You will find plenty of links to other sites on those pages. One of our members has a good set of links to heaps of solar stuff, well worth bookmarking.
Here http://www.builditsolar.com/
Hope this is of some use to you
jonesy

[Amanda_931]

They've got a lot of very expensive stuff to sell you.

I didn't look far enough into the site to see if they are a group of people I was kind of dubious about--are there pictures of the family and dog there, maybe emphasizing more that they're good Christians than explaining what experience they have building?  

I think you can do better.

I'm probably Ms Links.

Currently in contact with a company that makes Compressed Earth Blocks not too far from here--to see if they have a customer who can work with me.  

[Ailsa C. Ek]

jonsey:

Wow, thanks for the links.  I've had a wonderful time exploring them, and they'll keep me busy for hours & hours more.

Amanda:

I didn't notice any family & dog pictures, but I didn't follow all their links, either.

I've become quote addicted to passive solar.  Now I'm noticing greenhouses and the like everywhere.

[jonsey/downunder]

Hi Ailsa,
If you do a complete search of their web site you will find the dogs. There is also a lot of free information on the site as well. Their links section will also give you plenty to look at. It looks to me as though they have built at least a couple of houses so they may be worth talking to. As Amanda mentions some of the stuff they are pushing is a bit pricey but I think the DVD is probably worth the money. It depends on what the information is worth to you. If you have the time and patience most of it can be found free on the net. Amanda is also a great source of information and will probably be able to supply you with plenty of stuff to look at.
The earthship concept is a personal favourite of mine but it is not the type of home you could just build anywhere, more suited to a lifestyle block, and for ease of building concrete block is probably the way to go. The tyre construction method is a bit labour intensive (backbreaking) if you happen to be a bit podgy and old like me, but a young fit buck like Glenn would handle it, no problem.
jonesy.

[Ailsa C. Ek]

   Podgy and middle-aged here.  No way can I sledgehammer dirt in tires for hours at a time.  I know I can pick up and place concrete blocks, cos I've done it, and i figure it'll prolly take care of a certain amount of the podginess, too.

So now I need to check out their links section and buy Amanda some roses and chocolate...

[glenn kangiser]

I'd cheat, Jonesy but I'd get it done.  I have what the county guys call a Bouncing Betty- (not the same as the military Bouncing Betty).   It's an air tamper - used with a large compressor it will smash anything into the ground including your feet if you are not careful-- that and a Bobcat.  Us old fat guys need a little help sometimes - and I never did like to over-exert myself if a machine would do it easier. :-/

The way I see it, God only gave us so many steps in life - so many swings of the hammer - so many wheelbarrows pushed up the hill.  If we waste them during our youth, we may run out as we get farther down the road.   Dumb philosophy, I know, but it works for me -- I'm not the one going to the doctor to have parts replaced.


Tamper Specs

[jonsey/downunder]

The roses for Amanda, but send the chockies to me. Amanda doesn't like chocolate and I need to keep my strength up. You wouldn't like to see me wasting away now, would you.

[Amanda_931]

The roses are lovely.

(and, really, I'm one of the few I know who isn't a chocoholic-- )

[jonsey/downunder]

Ailsa,
Check this site out. It is linked on one of the pages I gave you but because there is a wealth of information I thought it well worth posting a direct link.
http://www.ourcoolhouse.com/

[Daddymem]

I liked some of the floorplans on this site:
http://www.sunplans.com/html/home_page_2.php3
Remember though, here in New England you want to look for sun tempered, no passive solar, we don't have the right climate for full passive solar.  I suggest purchasing John's sunkit if this is your first foray into sun temper construction.

[Ailsa C. Ek]

I like the plans on the Sunplans site.  I'm sighing wistfully over this one http://www.sunplans.com/html/houseDisplay.php3?house=Sun_Dance_3.  I even found a small lot (7,405 square feet, with town water & sewer and gas & electric at street) for 150K, so it's vaguely possible we might be able to build.  Of course, this one's on Race Street in Haverhill, i.e. right in town, so it would prolly behoove me not to get too outre in my house plan choices.

The sunkit looks like it would definitely come in handy.  I'll have to order that come payday.

So the full out passive solar with the lots & lots of concrete and the solar greenhouse won't work up here?  Bummer.  

I'm thinking even if we buy, I want to build myself an attached solar greenhouse anyway, though.

[Daddymem]

It isn't that it won't work, it is just the return you'll get for the expense isn't cost effective.  Go for more windows on the southern exposure, less on the northern.  The sunkit explains what means are best for our climate.  I liked the sundance lines myself too.

[Chuck_Surette]

If you want to throw around some cinderblocks...

Check out the Passive Solar House by James Kachadorian - His theory is to use blocks for a "solar slab"

He claims a 40% savings in energy costs - so it is more "sun tempered" than full passive solar powered.  Any way you look at it 40% can still be big $$$.

He's from up in VT, so his theorys should work for your climate.  Theres some good info on window sizing & placement.  You actually don't want to "overglaze" on the south side. But, like Daddymem said, avoid lots of North facing doors/windows.

 His houses look very much like standard houses, no huge spans of glass.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0930031970/103-5373992-5915835?v=glance&n=283155

[ailsaek]

Chuck:

Just priced that one on eBay and half.com.  Think I'll pick it up come payday.  Thanks!

Now that I've started researching passive solar, details jump out at me, like my neighbors up the street who put in an expensive prefab sunroom on the north side of their house.

[Chuck_Surette]

Excellent - best of luck with your studies.

I noticed a pre-fab going up today (not sure the company it's from)

I may go by tomorrow & check it out.  It's a large colonial, with a 2 car garage.

It went up in 1 day (saw the trailers this morning & the front porch was going on tonight)

Amazing.

[BinaryWhisper]

Ailsa C. Ek

I've spent a fair it of time at the site (http://www.thenaturalhome.com) and there is a ton of free info there. In fact they are so open about sharing what they do that you can figure out most of it for free just by pouring over the site. That certainly adds a degree of ligitimacy to their offered services.

I'm looking for the cheapest and most energy effecient alternative method that can be quickly built pretty much by  myself that will partner up well with a masonary stove or radiant heating and still be conventional enough to build close to civilization. It's pretty slim pickings but a modified version of their earthship makes the list. It's essentially an earthship that a building inspector will understand and just as important, I stand a chance of selling or mortgaging it down the road.

I can't see needing their consulting services but if I decide to use that concept I will buy their books just to says thanks for all of the info. Fairs fair.

I love the idea of mortgage free back to earth alternative living but I'm a hardcore computer geek and audio nut and I want a monster bad ass home theatre :-) Pretty much gotta be on the grid for that.

[ailsaek]

Well, my copy of The Passive Solar House arrived yesterday.  I haven't had a chance to read it yet cos my husband grabbed it first, and he's fallen madly in love with one of the plans in it.  Now he's pricing out Radiantec's Solar II Option with an eye to installing it if we build or retrofitting it if we buy.  (Now I just have to hope we make enough profit on the current house that we can afford it!)

Fun fun fun!  

[jwv]

Ailsa,

This info might be helpful to you. http://www.sustainablecommunitybuilders.com/ This is a bigger house but the principles remain the same, whether big or small.  The challenge for us, building on such a small lot, was how to get the best solar orientation and still include a garage which due to the location of the lot must be on the south side.  We tried several iterations.  The house in the website is one street south of us but the location of his lot allows the garage to be on the north side.  Just think more glass on the south, less on the north, none on the west and minimal on the east.  Also include some thermal mass to moderate the temps.  Makes a huge difference in both the warmth/coolth of the house.

judy