http://ecorenovator.org/forum This forum is about green home improvements that reduce power use, help the environment, and save money. en Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:47:03 GMT vBulletin 60 http://ecorenovator.org/forum/images/ramadhan/misc/rss.jpg http://ecorenovator.org/forum http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/eLWfuCK6tSs/571-automatic-water-saving-toilet.html Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:26:15 GMT Has anyone thought about designing a mechanism for a toilet that varies the amount of water used when flushing depending on whether the seat is up or... Has anyone thought about designing a mechanism for a toilet that varies the amount of water used when flushing depending on whether the seat is up or down? I'm thinking of a purely mechanical system that uses a strong magnet attached to the bottom of the seat to activate a mechanism inside the tank. ]]> Conservation NiHaoMike http://ecorenovator.org/forum/conservation/571-automatic-water-saving-toilet.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/conservation/571-automatic-water-saving-toilet.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/MJBg22IdvIE/570-ecolawn-anyone.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:59:42 GMT Ok, so we are finally getting ready to put in a yard at our recently constructed house. We have two areas that we would like to put a lawn-like... Ok, so we are finally getting ready to put in a yard at our recently constructed house. We have two areas that we would like to put a lawn-like substance in. Big lawns are nice to play on but are time and resource hogs so I'm looking for an alternative.

The total area is about 16,000 sf. Full to moderate sun. Very gentle to flat slope. Area is western Washington State. Summers are bone dry for about 3 months, rainy and cool the rest of the year, moderate freezing during the winter. Needs to withstand sunday afternoon wiffle-ball games, occasional frisbee, soccer, etc. by one or two active families.

The goal is a low maintenance surface that is fairly uniform in appearance and texture, nice to look at, nice to play on, has sufficient durability, doesn't require mowing often, doesn't require watering often, keeps weeds in check, controls erosion.

Alternatives I've looked at are:
Artificial turf. Expensive, like $30,000+ and a 15 year lifespan, then the disposal landfill donations and replacement headaches and cost.

Perennial rye. Cheap and persistent but gets dry and crunchy in summer and not barefoot friendly when dry. Grows on any soil and apparently improves soil over time. Already have some in other areas to prevent erosion.

Ecolawn groundcover mix: These look promising. Here is a link to one source, other suggestions are welcome. Wildflower Farm. Apparently surface preparation can be minimal and watering and mowing are 2-3X per year.

So does anyone have any experience with ecolawn mixes or other alternatives? ]]> Lawn and Garden beatr911 http://ecorenovator.org/forum/lawn-garden/570-ecolawn-anyone.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/lawn-garden/570-ecolawn-anyone.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/zQ-nj4dwhzo/568-japanese-recyling-complete-system.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:50:41 GMT In the U.S. recycling varies by county and state. Everyone has a different procedure, different municipalities accept different types of recyclables,... In the U.S. recycling varies by county and state. Everyone has a different procedure, different municipalities accept different types of recyclables, and overall it is one big, confusing mess.However, in Japan the whole country follows one system: recycle everything you can or pay the price. No one questions the sense behind it, and as far [...]Post from: EcoRenovator.org

Japanese Recyling: A Complete System



More... ]]> EcoRenovator Blog Discussion SVOboy http://ecorenovator.org/forum/ecorenovator-blog-discussion/568-japanese-recyling-complete-system.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/ecorenovator-blog-discussion/568-japanese-recyling-complete-system.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/JksKdM3AgvU/567-anti-pesticide-lawn-signs.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:26:41 GMT One thing that always makes me cringe when I see it is the invasion of little yellow flags on people's lawns warning to keep off the grass due to pesticide applications.

The small yellow flags usually have a symbol of children playing, and the universal "don't do this" of a circle and crossbar.

Hmmmm. I don't know about you, but I thought lawns were for playing on!

To make it even worse, I live within eyeshot of a lake. It seems that as you get closer to the lake, property values go up, and so does the likelihood of the homeowner to use a lawn service, complete with pesticide application. That means the places closest to the lake, are also the ones most likely to pollute it!

Meanwhile, I have a few more weeds on my lawn (or bio-diversity as I like to call it) and I always leave the lawn a bit longer, so it's root system can stay long and healthy and survive droughts better. (Houses closest to the lake seem to water their lawns more as well!)

I propose that we come up with some sort of a sign indicating that our lawns are INTENTIONALLY all-natural, drought-resistant, & pesticide-free. This could be a bit of a parody of those "keep off the grass" signs. Instead, the logo might show happy children and animals on a lawn, or simply indicate that "THIS IS A PESTICIDE-FREE YARD"

I imagine this sign being just a bit larger than the "keep off the grass" ones so that it is easily readable by walkers and cyclists. It would also be made from durable, recycled/recyclable outdoor materials.

Does anyone agree with this whole concept? What would you imagine to point out an "eco-friendly" yard vs the typical chemical lawn?

I could see this as having the potential to become a national campaign. We all have to start somewhere. Why not at home?

-Ben Nelson ]]> Lawn and Garden bennelson http://ecorenovator.org/forum/lawn-garden/567-anti-pesticide-lawn-signs.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/lawn-garden/567-anti-pesticide-lawn-signs.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/n3TmKXfnvBY/566-water-source-heat-pump.html Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:02:31 GMT I have been pondering the idea if a air source heat pump could be converted to a water source heat pump easily by removing the existing coils off the... I have been pondering the idea if a air source heat pump could be converted to a water source heat pump easily by removing the existing coils off the outside unit. build another set of coils using 3/8" copper tubing inside 1/2 or 5/8 copper tubing and bend this tubing to fit as much as possible in place of the old coil. tie the 3/8 tubing back into the freon side of the unit and tie the 1/2 or 5/8 tubing into a water source to cool and heat the freon instead of air. The water would be coming from a 35 gallon a minute free flowing well which would not require a pump and is 67 degrees year around (totally free water source) My thinking is if this is possible the 67 degree water would be a lot more efficient than 100 degree air in the summer and 30's air in the winter as the source to cool and heat freon. In my experience with heat pumps they work well in moderate temp ranges 40-85. below 40 the heat strips does most of the work and above 85 the unit runs to long. Years ago I seen a small window ac unit set up this way and it cooled a 1000' square foot camp. The out put temp was right at freezing.

Any Suggestions, Ideas from you guys? ]]> Geothermal mlac http://ecorenovator.org/forum/geothermal/566-water-source-heat-pump.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/geothermal/566-water-source-heat-pump.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/VNrVfWD70XE/565-dreaming.html Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:56:11 GMT Hello, I am dreaming of my ultimate home, with solar panels, solar water heating, earth bermed or earth sheltered. When I lived in Korea, I... Hello,

I am dreaming of my ultimate home, with solar panels, solar water heating, earth bermed or earth sheltered.

When I lived in Korea, I really got to like radiant floor heating. It just makes so much sense.

I also am trying to convince the wife we need to replace all of the incandescent lights.

LDJ ]]> Introductions ldjessee http://ecorenovator.org/forum/introductions/565-dreaming.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/introductions/565-dreaming.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/m6F_buoUU6Q/564-labelle-house-solar-hot-water-system.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:46:01 GMT Hello all!

I just took a big step towards renewable energy!

I just picked up a 4'x10' solar hot water panel.

I still need to figure out the heat exchanger, pump, valves, and other miscellenia required to make the system work, but now that my "hat is over the fence", I'll have to do them.

This is a "second-hand" panel I got from a guy who has been a solar installer and home-steader for years.

In these photos, the solar panel is under the electric car frame (Citicar) on the trailer.






]]> Solar Hot Water bennelson http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-hot-water/564-labelle-house-solar-hot-water-system.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-hot-water/564-labelle-house-solar-hot-water-system.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/HPeEd60L9y0/563-xcel-energy-offering-wind-power-option-more-states.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:54:07 GMT When I bought my house 8 months ago my power company to tell them that I wanted to buy wind produced electricity from them, they informed me that... When I bought my house 8 months ago my power company to tell them that I wanted to buy wind produced electricity from them, they informed me that they (xcel energy) did not offer that option in Wisconsin because they did not have enough production, they are required to produce a percentage of their electricity from renewables (10% I think) and if they have an offer like this to guarantee that 100% of what you are using is from renewables then their production has to be enough above that 10% number, when I called to ask about wind power 8 months ago I did ask if I could have it recorded that I requested the wind power option and it sounds like th,ey did that because with my last bill was an information sheet on buying wind power at an added cost of $1.15 per 100kwhs, basicly adding $0.0115 on to each of my KWH I use each month rounded up to the nearest 100kwh... but even at that it would only add around $60 per year to my total bill, about $5 per month, allowing me to put a "charged by the wind" sticker on my electric car, and the knolage that my electrical usage is being off set by wind turbines spinning some where in Minnesota. ]]> Wind Power Ryland http://ecorenovator.org/forum/wind-power/563-xcel-energy-offering-wind-power-option-more-states.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/wind-power/563-xcel-energy-offering-wind-power-option-more-states.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/KlIA5xmPhXI/562-another-heat-pump-water-heater.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:16:54 GMT Here is another heat pump water heater, made by a German company that makes alot of solar hot water storage tanks, pumps and controls, I saw one in... Here is another heat pump water heater, made by a German company that makes alot of solar hot water storage tanks, pumps and controls, I saw one in real life at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair, but it was new enough that they didn't have any printed info yet but there is info on their web site.

Stiebel Eltron | Accelera 300 Heat Pump Water Heater

retail price is supposed to be around $3,500 so the "payback" could be as much as 10 years, talked to a friend of mine who installs solar hot water systems and he said that if all of their claims are true (not always the case) that water heaters like this could be a better deal then the solar hot water systems that he sells. ]]> Ryland http://ecorenovator.org/forum/appliances-gadgets/562-another-heat-pump-water-heater.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/appliances-gadgets/562-another-heat-pump-water-heater.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/0IZ-lyRlP4g/561-better-than-air-conditioning-japanese-homes.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:35:32 GMT For the last three weeks I have been hunkered down in Western Japan in a city called Kumamoto. It gets hot down here. Really really hot, some days,... For the last three weeks I have been hunkered down in Western Japan in a city called Kumamoto. It gets hot down here. Really really hot, some days, and it is still the spring. However, the air conditioning has never been turned on. Why? The home was designed before air conditioning existed to keep people cool [...]Post from: EcoRenovator.org

Better Than Air Conditioning: Japanese Homes



More... ]]> EcoRenovator Blog Discussion SVOboy http://ecorenovator.org/forum/ecorenovator-blog-discussion/561-better-than-air-conditioning-japanese-homes.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/ecorenovator-blog-discussion/561-better-than-air-conditioning-japanese-homes.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/lukOyIPf2S8/560-japan-s-trash-burning-culture-means-plastic-bags-aplenty.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:35:32 GMT Two years ago when I lived in Japan for a brief period I wondered why plastic bags were so common. Recycling was in full swing and houses were... Two years ago when I lived in Japan for a brief period I wondered why plastic bags were so common. Recycling was in full swing and houses were adorned with solar water and photovoltaics. So what was with all the plastic bags? Bags for the smallest purchases to the biggest. No one brought their own and [...]Post from: EcoRenovator.org

Japan’s Trash Burning Culture Means Plastic Bags Aplenty



More... ]]> EcoRenovator Blog Discussion SVOboy http://ecorenovator.org/forum/ecorenovator-blog-discussion/560-japan-s-trash-burning-culture-means-plastic-bags-aplenty.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/ecorenovator-blog-discussion/560-japan-s-trash-burning-culture-means-plastic-bags-aplenty.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/XnYsM66ou4M/559-washing-machine-uses-one-cup-water.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:27:33 GMT Sounds like a very odd idea. It uses some sort of plastic bead media to help get the stains out of the clothes. The beads can be reused 100 times. ... Sounds like a very odd idea. It uses some sort of plastic bead media to help get the stains out of the clothes. The beads can be reused 100 times. Can they be recycled after?


Washing machine that uses one cup of water - Telegraph ]]> Daox http://ecorenovator.org/forum/appliances-gadgets/559-washing-machine-uses-one-cup-water.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/appliances-gadgets/559-washing-machine-uses-one-cup-water.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/ugrqWEXrlE4/558-grow-100-lbs-potatoes-4-square-feet.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:23:29 GMT From the people who brought you the self watering tomato planters, we have instructions on how to grow 100 lbs. of potatoes in 4 square feet! Thats... From the people who brought you the self watering tomato planters, we have instructions on how to grow 100 lbs. of potatoes in 4 square feet! Thats a few potatoes! :)

Lifehacker - Grow 100 lbs. of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet - Household ]]> Lawn and Garden Daox http://ecorenovator.org/forum/lawn-garden/558-grow-100-lbs-potatoes-4-square-feet.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/lawn-garden/558-grow-100-lbs-potatoes-4-square-feet.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/czxNvklFnTI/557-eco-cooling.html Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:56:49 GMT Hi All,

Just joined, and I'm right in with a post! Looking through the forum, I see there's no specific section on cooling, but there is for heating. A search doesn't bring much up either.

I have a problem with the upstairs bedrooms in my house - in warm weather, I can't keep the rooms cool. I've tried keeping windows closed with blinds down, windows open with blinds down, windows open blinds up etc., and the rooms still get very warm. I'm wondering if some of the heat is coming from the roof space / loft, and better loft insulation may help. Any thoughts on that? One room in particular (our baby's nursery) doesn't get a lot of sun on it at all, and despite trying all the window and blind options above, still gets to 26 deg C or more.

After sorting my loft insulation, another thing I thought I might try is a solar powered extractor fan in the ceiling of the room, and a couple of airbricks in the wall on the cool north side of the house. As the fan pulls hot air from the top of the room, it should pull cool (15c) air in from outside. Do you think this is worth a go? It would be a lot of work getting the airbricks in, so I don't want to attempt it if it would be a dog project. ]]> Other Improvements richuu http://ecorenovator.org/forum/other-improvements/557-eco-cooling.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/other-improvements/557-eco-cooling.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ecorenovator/HFTS/~3/vREh-X223Eo/556-google-wind-power.html Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:51:51 GMT The system sound so simple. What about installation? The price also seems really low. Google Checks Out The PC of Renewable Energy | Green Day |... The system sound so simple. What about installation? The price also seems really low.

Google Checks Out The PC of Renewable Energy | Green Day | Fast Company ]]> Wind Power Daox http://ecorenovator.org/forum/wind-power/556-google-wind-power.html http://ecorenovator.org/forum/wind-power/556-google-wind-power.html