Duncan went on an alternative building and solar tour!
Here's some of the folks on the tour
| Link | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| SIP | Banker Residence Polystyrene home- Structuraly imtegrated panels (SIPs). SIPs consist of two sheets of rigid facing bonded to an insulating core that is more than 4 inches thick. Facings are typically OSB or plywood but can be constructed of other materials. The insulating core is most commonly polystyrene foam (styrofoam). With good sealing, this construction technique enhances energy efficieny. House is powered with solar panels and heated with a Russian Fireplace, also known as a "masonary stove or heater". | Expensive per square foot. Looks difficult/ugly to add electric/plumbing chases. Redeeming quality was the Russian Fireplace, very efficient source of heat. |
| Earth Ship (Tires) | Windwlaker Residence Earthship powered by solar and wind generation. Water catchment system. Solar water pumping. Earthship home construction consists, most commonly, of utilizing old tires and dirt. The dirt is hand packed into each individual tire. The tires are then stacked in a staggered fashion, much like bricks, into walls. These walls are load bearing and provide thermal mass, which id crucial to energy efficiency. Once the wlls are in place, they are commonly plastered over in an adobe fashion. While tries are most common, other materials can be ultilized to construct an Earthship home such as bottles, cans, barrels and anything that can be filled with dirt. Alternative septic, water catchment and solar well pumping to be discussed at location. | We had thought about this, but after learning that you had to pound 300 pounds of dirt and water into each tire, decided I was too old to start this gig. Cheapest way possible to build in dollars (they are debt free) but it's been 10 years to get a two bedroom/one bath house built. |
| Off Grid | Kuempel Residence Manufactured home with solar and wind pwoer. Wind generators and solar system completely owner-built. | Interesting thing is the reasonaly small solar set up they have but he runs a pretty good machine shop (welder and some standing tools) |
| Cedar Hills | Cedar Hills Medical Center Catered lunch by Black Mesa Ranch Log Home. This construction involves using logs and/or wood that has not been milled into convential lumber. Powered by both solar and wind-generated electricity, and heated by a solar heating system. | Jack and Sue are freinds of ours (as well as our medical help) so the only surprises were the passive solar heating I had never noticed and Jack's constant haranguing on how poorly the place was built. The lunch was good, too. |
| Grid Tie | Rieker Residence Interactive grid tie with battery back uo. Conventional home construction in a neighborhood with a solar system that is interfaced with the electrical grid. | If you live in suburbia and can afford the cost, time, and political agony, this isn't a bad way to go. |
| Straw Bale | Bender Residence Straw Bale. This type of construction utilizes bales of straw as the insulation or structural elements of the walls. This is not a post and beam construction as most straw bale homes are. This house is powered by solar and wind generation and has solar well pumping. | This is the way to go, if you have the time. The biggest issue is applying the finish, adobe from local materials is about the only way to go although we're looking at papcrete or some sort of hybrid. The finish is hand applied so it would take forever to finish. |
| Geo Dome | Housel Residence tea, cookies, and mulled wine Geodesic dome constructed with SIP panels. These panels have polystyrene insulator with concrete facing. Hydronic floor heating will be discussed on location. This house will be powered by solar and wind generation. This home is 60% complete. | Most expensive per square foot and couldn't find any redeeming qualities. |