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Thanks!
Thanks!
Sky - Development for homeowners off the grid
- Thread starter SoWalSally
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The Forum rules are purposefully vague and rightly so. You should have the ability to arbiter as you desire. I, however, do not share the "thanks Kurt" opinions of the two posters who expressed as such.
Talk to the paw. :roll:
I found some construction photo's of the AAC
I found some photo's of the house we built of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in Rosemary Beach back before there was much going on there. I thought I'd share them if anyone wanted to see the product in use. Peter Horn also built a house like this back then, 1999.
I liked it because it provides R-Value (insulation) without the introduction of foam like the ICF construction. I think it probably is real wise to manufacture this product from an environmental stand point. It might work well in SKY.
I found some photo's of the house we built of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in Rosemary Beach back before there was much going on there. I thought I'd share them if anyone wanted to see the product in use. Peter Horn also built a house like this back then, 1999.
I liked it because it provides R-Value (insulation) without the introduction of foam like the ICF construction. I think it probably is real wise to manufacture this product from an environmental stand point. It might work well in SKY.
What is the gross and net carbon footprint?
Sorry that I am not up to speed with the term "carbon footprint". I know the term, and want to conserve energy, but like 75% of all Americans I don't fully take advantage of all the options that are already right in front of me. I know that puts me behind the environmental curve.
I studied the product Aerated Autoclaved Concrete and visited a manufacturers facility before I used it the first time. I have also used a lot of conventional concrete which leaves very few practical methods to gain R-Value without thickening the exterior walls. As for the "carbon footprint" question, www.omnicrete.com states that this method of construction has the lowest short and long term "carbon footprint" of any building method. Looking at the product and handling the product, it appears to be logical. I hope it's true.
I studied the product Aerated Autoclaved Concrete and visited a manufacturers facility before I used it the first time. I have also used a lot of conventional concrete which leaves very few practical methods to gain R-Value without thickening the exterior walls. As for the "carbon footprint" question, www.omnicrete.com states that this method of construction has the lowest short and long term "carbon footprint" of any building method. Looking at the product and handling the product, it appears to be logical. I hope it's true.
I would use caution when interpretting said information. Their claims may be true, though compared to "any building method", probably unlike. It may be the lowest carbon footprint product in its technological class.
I'm a fan of AAC, though it's still comprised of concrete which contains some level of cement, which in turn is one of the highest embodied energy products known to man. The concrete may substitute a percentage of fly ash (coal burning by-product) for cement, though by its very nature, fly ash has a high carbon footprint.
I just checked the site to see the context of how they make this claim.
The key words I highlighted above. This means that the occupants (and the builders) will use less electricity through their use of the product. Less electricity = less coal burned = smaller carbon footprint.
I have not run a technical analysis of the entire life cycle of the product or the embodied energy of its different components, though my point is that claims may be made, but unless we look at all the parts and pieces, we may not get a complete picture. An appropriate building material depends on the region it will be used, the occupants using it, where and how it is manufactured, and how it will be disposed of after use, among other factors.
I think AAC is a great building material for the Gulf Coast, though I don't subscribe to the last bullying statement made by OMNICRETE (see quote above).
I'm a fan of AAC, though it's still comprised of concrete which contains some level of cement, which in turn is one of the highest embodied energy products known to man.
I don't have the education yet on the measurement embodied energy . I really thought that inorganic materials were the type of materials we were looking for in environmental sensitivity. Doesn't a product like this AAC have a long duration life cycle, and then when it's useful life is over it can be returned to the earth in nearly it's original form?
I thought using a product like this coupled with natural ventilation and deep summer overhangs would make for comfortable living. Something about using it made me feel a little better than using the foam ICF's, but it was just an uneducated impression.
I don't have the education yet on the measurement embodied energy . I really thought that inorganic materials were the type of materials we were looking for in environmental sensitivity. Doesn't a product like this AAC have a long duration life cycle, and then when it's useful life is over it can be returned to the earth in nearly it's original form?
I thought using a product like this coupled with natural ventilation and deep summer overhangs would make for comfortable living. Something about using it made me feel a little better than using the foam ICF's, but it was just an uneducated impression.
So did you check it out in person?
Did you go?
What's it like?
Did Ms. Sanford meet you?
How many houses have they built so far?
Is the first building "the Sky Institute" complete?
Are they experimenting with alternative energy solutions?
What kind of paving did they use for the streets to catch the rainwater?
Does it look like the residents will be a part of a real sustainable community?
Did you go?
What's it like?
Did Ms. Sanford meet you?
How many houses have they built so far?
Is the first building "the Sky Institute" complete?
Are they experimenting with alternative energy solutions?
What kind of paving did they use for the streets to catch the rainwater?
Does it look like the residents will be a part of a real sustainable community?
I don't think you are incorrect. I simply wanted to offer additional insight into what comprises a sustainable material. One solution does not fit all. Location, climate, and use are equally important considerations.
Embodied energy is typically measured in MegaJoules and there are materials lists available on the internet. One correction from a previous post, I stated that cement is high in embodied energy, relative to other materials like copper and steel it is lower, but because it is one of the most used building materials, collectively it has a far greater environmental impact.