Eco-sense January 2008 update
First rant to start the year and a real doozie at the end
“The sky is falling” say the economists, “the sky is falling” say the sociologists, “the sky is falling” say the scientists – “Don’t be silly” says EnCana (a big oil company), “The sky isn’t falling, we’re just at the peak of civilization”.
Is it not strange that on all fronts there seems to be an obvious trend to support large corporations at the expense of the people, the environment and well… everything? In Bali the federal government didn’t invite scientists, environmenatilist or even other political parties to sit at the table with them like in the past, but instead EnCana. Why is the public not scared, not screaming. And is it not pathetic that the Federal government is giving back $150 million to EnCana in taxes, which any other citizen would have to pay? Does this benefit the people?
Even at the municipal level we see Langford and Highlands council subvert the democratic and political process in order to polish the knobs of Bare Mountain.
The economists are telling us we must act as it is to our benefit to make changes now. The sociologists warn us that we must act now to secure local food, to minimize social collapse from the onslaught of climate change and peak oil, and the scientist are warning us how the climate is changing and how our life support system is collapsing.
Not too many of those we elect are listening. Self serving short term political ego building seems to be the gratification of the moment.
Eco-Sense Update
Celebrity Flush Event:
Our ‘Celebrity Flush’ event is aimed at celebrities, politicians, and anyone who supports what we are doing. The goal is to raise awareness of sustainability have some fun while showing opposition to the crazy rules that stand in the way of sustainable development. Participants donate ($50 suggested donation) to flush the dual flush toilet loaned to us.
Proceeds will be donated to the Highlands Stewardship Foundation to continue their good work with monitoring ground water and educating us in its use. After the inspirational community input the slightly used toilet will then be installed in its final resting place on the Pike house grounds complete with a story board of how it came to be. Watch our website for the full details.
If you or anyone you know is interested in participating in this event please let us know. The tentative date is Thursday March 24th.
CBC News and our Website:
Our website has been updated with lots more technical information on our house just in time for the big jump in interest following our short segment on the CBC National TV News Monday Jan. 21st. The Eco-Sense website has a link to this Going Green Segment. If you are wondering why we look a little stunned, it’s because the filming occurred just before dawn in sub zero temperatures with a live conference call to Toronto., with us trying to make eye contact to a TV camera.
Tours:
In March we will begin the Eco-Sense tour season with public tours starting Sunday March 30th at 10am. Tours will follow through the spring and summer on alternating Sunday’s. Check our website for the current schedule and booking details.
Preliminary thermal performance of our home:
Wow…exactly what we hoped is happening. Our heat load loss calculations came in at 24,500 BTU which translates into 7.18 Kwh. Our temporary heat system is 6.0 Kwh. It has taken two months to come up to temperature; even without insulation or vapour barrier (in the roof) for most of this time. This suggests that the house is performing better than anticipated. We are expecting that once the home is finished, dried out, and air gaps filled that the home will take a fraction of what we had expected to maintain a cozy warmth.
Even without heat for four days in sub-zero temperatures (with upper windows open) the building maintained much of it’s heat. Very impressive…the walls just gave the heat back.
Delays:
There have been delays with the electrical and heating components. The water tank and boiler had been back ordered for two months and just arrived this week and the wiring has taking longer due to the complexity. The delays seem behind us now and it’s fast forward ahead to begin the creative finishing work.
These large items required some special solutions…We thought the 120 gallon solar hot water tank was only 30 inches wide. Not only would it not fit through the door but now the mechanical room needed to be rearranged. This resulted in some head scratching and power tools.
The 1500 pound Wood Gun boiler also presented a challenge as Gord single handedly moved it all the way around the back of the home without his usual tactic for moving heavy items of “just push harder”. Gord had set the goal of two days to move it, but six hours later it was resting nicely, and only one bandiad was required for the split/squashed finger.
Number One Question:
For everyone who asks the question, “When are you moving in”, our answer is “Soon, but not sooner”.
Electrical:
The electrical incorporates 24VDC LED lighting throughout the house. We had at first planned on having a combination of AC and DC lighting, but the electrical inspector agreed for us to have all DC. This is to ensure no future occupant could ever injure themselves by installing a low voltage DC light into an AC circuit. What this means is that we can purchase recycled AC fixtures (track lighting or standard Edison base) and install available LED lights. Yeah…we won one.
Always Learning:
Moisture has been an issue and we have learned from our mistakes. With the second floor walls, we have chosen light clay infill. Due to delays in the wiring and heating we have been unable to insulate and barrier the house. Wet floors and walls, no insulation or heat, translates into frustration… and LOTS of condensation on the underside of the roof membrane. In the future, more of a push to finalize the electrical and heating would be a must, then insulating and sealing before adding any more moisture with the infill or plasters.
Earth and Wood walls:
Ann has climbed into her kid size tool belt and been busy putting up T&G wood (local fir and some pine) on the walls and doing some infill and plaster. The mixture of wood and earth is stunning.
Tunnels:
Making a plaster tunnel, how would you envision this? Going up the stairway was rather boxy, so we decided to add some curves. Hmmm! We couldn’t find any info on such a thing so keeping with tradition we just did it. With a little horse manure, sand and lime, stucco wire and burlap we had a roughed in archway.
Gord the carpenter:
Gord has been fiddling around making his first ever kitchen and discovering a new skill and passion. We like to call it kitchen art… a creative feature that is breathtaking and unexpected.
Next month promises to be equally busy with more publicity and seemingly endless experimentation with clays, sands, manures, pigments, natural paints, oils, wood, and rocks.
Ok…final rant of the month…just in.
After the national coverage on CBC TV news…the CEO at the Home Protection Office (http://www.hpo.bc.ca/) checked into our home (pulled title) and low and behold we are not registered. Never hear of such a thing…we are just a couple of people scraping up the dirt under our feet to build our family a home. Who knew? Anyways it seems that it is the law to register for this program. There is only a small registration fee as we are an owner builder. Registration will put us on file us as a home owner builder and place documentation on file that any future buyer in the next ten years will know that we have no new home warranty and that we assume all liability. Well duh! This privilege costs us $425. We are debating what the consequences are for saying fuck off. This is not a new home…the dirt has been around for a LONG TIME…and the wood is recycled…where is the program for really old homes.
HELP!!!
Cheers,
Gord and Ann