Heavy Folks and Global Warming

[Lynnie]

Susan, I don't have solar thermal heating, but do have the highest efficiency rating of the system I put in (11 years ago)....and, it is very efficient. I have 2,400 sq. ft. and my gas bill was just under $60 last mo. Funny you ask about a cistern; am putting one in Atlanta this year....still trying to determine the size I need. And, well here's part of my dilemma.....I'd like to do one above ground, like a really aesthetically attractive copper one! But, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. So, am currently researching all of this as we speak. If you have any info., please pass it on. Tapped a well at the beach a few years ago.

If my place was big enough in Atlanta I would attempt (I might have the terminology wrong) high velocity air - also with underground thermal capabilities/derivatives.

But, everything in my house is naturally produced by the earth. I researched my vanity faucet for a year before I was comfortable with it. And, designed the bathroom to age gracefully with all of its natural materials. It's been two years (since I renovated it) and I do love the way the patina is appearing.

Traderx, I read about solar panels a few years ago and was going to go this route with my cottage in FL. The safety issue is during a storm and the power is off (intentionally or unintentionally...i.e. downed power lines). At that time you couldn't turn off the solar panels (or store the energy and it moves in and out of the lines - this is Lynnie layman terms, so go easy on me) and the energy they create can back up into the lines, potentially hurting linemen...........scary! Devastatingly so. I would presume that the technology has improved dramatically by now. New problem for me right now - money!

Miss Critter, you are just too danged funny!

 

[DuneAHH]

Or An Incontinent Truth, which follows the hot flashes. ;-)

I'll say it again... you crack my ash UP!

 

[Susan Horn]

Susan, I don't have solar thermal heating, but do have the highest efficiency rating of the system I put in (11 years ago)....and, it is very efficient. I have 2,400 sq. ft. and my gas bill was just under $60 last mo. Funny you ask about a cistern; am putting one in Atlanta this year....still trying to determine the size I need. And, well here's part of my dilemma.....I'd like to do one above ground, like a really aesthetically attractive copper one! But, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. So, am currently researching all of this as we speak. If you have any info., please pass it on. Tapped a well at the beach a few years ago.

If my place was big enough in Atlanta I would attempt (I might have the terminology wrong) high velocity air - also with underground thermal capabilities/derivatives.

But, everything in my house is naturally produced by the earth. I researched my vanity faucet for a year before I was comfortable with it. And, designed the bathroom to age gracefully with all of its natural materials. It's been two years (since I renovated it) and I do love the way the patina is appearing.

Traderx, I read about solar panels a few years ago and was going to go this route with my cottage in FL. The safety issue is during a storm and the power is off (intentionally or unintentionally...i.e. downed power lines). At that time you couldn't turn off the solar panels (or store the energy and it moves in and out of the lines - this is Lynnie layman terms, so go easy on me) and the energy they create can back up into the lines, potentially hurting linemen...........scary! Devastatingly so. I would presume that the technology has improved dramatically by now. New problem for me right now - money!

Miss Critter, you are just too danged funny!

Your house sounds marvelous. I don't have any sources for cheap copper cisterns, LOL!

As for the solar panel safety part, I think Chandra Hartman is the one to askbout that whenever you're ready to move forward. She is certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center ( I think that's right) and quite knowledgeable about PV as well as all other things green. Great designer too. You could meet her at the Saturday Farmer's Markets in Seaside, where she sells the freshest best sprouts, cool handmade hula hoops, and assorted other local goodies.

 

[Lynnie]

Susan, a friend of mine put in an underground cistern (1,700 gal.) and even in the drought in Atlanta, they collected full capacity within 60 days. I guess the catchment system has a lot to do with how much rainwater is captured......

And, as luck would have it, I receive Chandra's emails......will contact her for info. on the solar panels and thank you for sharing this!

It's a pity copper is so expensive......it really jumped in price after the multiple hurricanes in '04-'05.

Cheers~~~~~

 

[Susan Horn]

Susan, a friend of mine put in an underground cistern (1,700 gal.) and even in the drought in Atlanta, they collected full capacity within 60 days. I guess the catchment system has a lot to do with how much rainwater is captured......

And, as luck would have it, I receive Chandra's emails......will contact her for info. on the solar panels and thank you for sharing this!

It's a pity copper is so expensive......it really jumped in price after the multiple hurricanes in '04-'05.

Cheers~~~~~

It is amazing how much water we waste, isn't it? I mean, without even noticing. For instance, as you've seen -- lots of rainfall that could be collected and used (from rooftops) is treated as a problem to be gotten rid of, and so developers put in expensive and sometimes hideous and/or Byzantine stormwater systems to temporarily contain and ultimately get rid of it. Makes me CRAZY sometimes!

So I find it really exciting that you and your friends and so many others around the country are getting cisterns, plus other ways to use our plentiful resources more wisely. There's a LOT we can do in our own homes. Some is $$, some not so much, every bit makes a difference.

I'm off to a gardening seminar with my dear MIL. Maybe I will learn a new trick.

 

[full time]

It is amazing how much water we waste, isn't it? I mean, without even noticing. For instance, as you've seen -- lots of rainfall that could be collected and used (from rooftops) is treated as a problem to be gotten rid of, and so developers put in expensive and sometimes hideous and/or Byzantine stormwater systems to temporarily contain and ultimately get rid of it. Makes me CRAZY sometimes!

So I find it really exciting that you and your friends and so many others around the country are getting cisterns, plus other ways to use our plentiful resources more wisely. There's a LOT we can do in our own homes. Some is $$, some not so much, every bit makes a difference.

I'm off to a gardening seminar with my dear MIL. Maybe I will learn a new trick.

Speaking of wasting water, look how much has to be wasted cleaning and cooling solar panels.

Park Service warns of solar projects' impacts to Mojave Desert - NYTimes.com

 

[Lynnie]

Interesting, full time. I am still investigating things. Here, we don't have the arid climate and not sure if that is a contributor. A well-designed catchment system might be the ticket. Am on hold anyway as being green is rather costly. I am definitely coming out of this recession ahead of the curve, but need to make certain it's cost effective before I engage in any major additions to the abode. Thank you for the article!!