Hot Topics at Eco-Sense – February Update

What do 60 solar thermal collectors and Ann have in common? Both are hot stuff… and both function best in the sun. This past month we have started heating the home with the sun, a milestone of psychological importance, as the progress in the finishing department seems so very slow.

Before we dive into the hot topics of the month we just wanted to be upfront and let you know we have no rants this month. Are we sick… well actually this month yes we have been; both sick and injured.

Ooooh So Hot

On a sunny day both Ann and the tubes will work on the house for 7 hours straight. The tubes start to work at 9:45 am and generate heat until 4:30 pm; whereas Ann starts at 9 am, stops to make wonderful lunches, make phone calls, send emails, do other chores, and then continues on till 5 pm. The heat drawn from the tubes runs about 150 F, enough to heat the 120 gallon hot water tank, and enough to supply heat to the whole of the hydronic heating system; Ann like the tubes always keeps up with demand.

The solar thermal system components were supplied by Thermomax; the alternative solutions to the code written by us; and the design and install were done by Mike Isbrucker and Byron Merriam. The two 30 tube manifolds are plumbed in parallel, different from the conventional series plumbing for solar hot water. In this way, the flow of cold water receives the maximum absorption due to the temperature differential between the cold water and the hot tubes. (In a series system as the hot water leaves the first manifold and enters the second manifold, the hot water absorbs less and therefore is less efficient). Also the system is designed using its own 30 watt solar panel to power up a temperature differential controller and an El Sid pump. When there’s enough sunlight to power up the electrical side, there also becomes enough to heat the hot water. The differential controller monitors the temperature at the tubes and the hot water tank; and when the temperature at the tubes is 10 degrees hotter than the tank it tells the pump to run. Really this is a very simple system, with less to break down.

Ann seems to work the same way. I am not really sure how she is wired though and am unable to understand the manual, but when she is about 60o F ( 30 o C) warmer than the outside air, she just keeps plastering, then as soon as the sun goes down she stops. Ann has made terrific progress on the inside walls, benches and the circle room floor. The bathroom is taking shape wonderfully with the richness of the earth plasters and the cob countertop has become a conversation piece. There is even a whale that makes up the back of the bench between the circle room and eating area, complete with tail fluke.

Sick and Stubborn

Ann has demonstrated that she is not indestructible. She has severely injured her right elbow, and for two months has been compromised… even a beer is almost too much to hold. She has continued to push on… and sometimes too far. She also had a serious incident with the chicken coop door. An emergency type situation as she attempted to open the chicken’s door (complete with two chickens riding it) before her morning coffee. The result was the gate not fully unlatched and then releasing causing the piercing of her nose where it meets the eye… right to the bone. WCB protocol would dictate that we never allow Ann to let the chickens out before coffee.

Gord was severely slowed this past month as he tried to fight a virus rather than just give in and stay in bed. A week lost to being sick… shameful really! Back on his feet he managed to re-injure the (thought to be) fractured leg from 5 months earlier by hitting the exact spot with a sludge hammer, then two hours later shooting a 2 inch brad nail into a knuckle. The nice ladies at emergency said all was ok and to get back to work. Ann didn’t really have much sympathy though as she had already tried to slow Gord down from his testosterone driven approach to sludge hammer type applications. She even made the comment that she would be rich if she had a dollar for every time Gord hit himself in the leg with the sludge hammer. Gord was back at it the next day with window sills, steps, more counters, more vapour barriers, and some other stuff too.

Ceiling and Vapour Barrier

In future design considerations the roof system and framing would be different. The idea of framing the roof and insulating seemed simple, but the technical side of sealing to cob is tougher than expected. In future the roof would be made of beams with decking on top, then a vapour barrier, insulation, and then the final roof with decking; this would use considerably more wood but ensure a simpler roof, simpler construction and simpler sealing.

As it turned out, plastic bonds to cob very well when it is dry; and via lots of the gooey black acoustical sealant. YUK! Then thin bendy strips of cedar are stapled over this connection where the barrier meets the cob; finally all covered by plaster. One thing is for certain… our seal of the vapour barrier to the cob wall is beyond good (and beyond time consuming).
Bamboo countertops – (also beyond time consuming).

Our recommendation to those who love the looks of bamboo for countertops… DON’T do it. Be prepared for frustration, an immense amount of time, and for a continual creation of dull blades. Bamboo is tough. Howie and Merrily had come across left over bamboo flooring, some of which was used for their counter top. It has literally taken well over a week to make a countertop, an excessive amount of time spent on one item, and almost $120 dollars in sand paper, $80 dollars in planer blades, and $40 dollars of blade sharpening. Without the cost of the material (the bamboo) the cost of the time and consumables would come to $2300. Beautiful but not reasonable… but still more sustainable than Corian or Paperstone.

Tours are starting this month.

We have begun getting quite busy with phone calls for consulting services and tours. Even before the Royal BC Museum exhibit, the Courtney Green Home Trade Show, Granville Magazine and the airing of The Leading Edge (the Knowledge Network), we are starting to fill up our tours. Tours are now scheduled every second Sunday starting March 30th. Details on the website www.eco-sense.ca. Please call or email to book your spot.

Granville Magazine

This month look for an article in Granville Magazine. Not exclusively about the Eco-Sense project, but we spent a great deal of time with the author, and in observing his efforts and questions over a period of a month we suspect it will be a very informative read.

The Knowledge Network

The final filming was completed. The house was not completed… and for this we are feeling as we let them down. Sadly enough we will be the last program aired on the Leading Edge, as TV Ontario has taken over the Knowledge Network and revamping it to an Arts and Entertainment format. Also sadly all the in-house staff are being let go. We wish to thank all those at the Knowledge Network that tromped through our dusty worksite and braved our dog Boo. A special thanks to Mary Bissell and Margy Gilmour for giving us an opportunity to help inform others on the ideas around sustainable building, sustainable systems and living a reasonable life.

The Royal BC Museum

Starting March 13th the Museum opens up their exhibit on the 150th anniversary of the colonization of BC. We are proud to have been asked to participate and feel like we have become part of the history of BC. Also we are proud to have the revamped house model used in the education programs with the public… a display of Howie’s fine work.

And the big piss up!

On April 2nd we are hosting what we call the “Celebrity Flush”. It has been said by some this may become a pissing contest, but we refuse to have Highlands Council meet in our bathroom… so it is a fun educational event. For those of you who are unaware of the event here it is in point form:

• Neville Grigg from Heritage Office Furniture has donated a low flush toilet to the Highlands Heritage Parks Soceity (Caleb Pike House).
• To gain occupancy we must install a flush toilet for at least one day, as the code requires
• Bob McMinn of the Highlands Heritage Parks Society, (and the first mayor of the Highlands) is loaning us the toilet for the event.
• Celebrities and others are invited to provide a donation…monetarily, and then flush…
• When done the toilet will be installed on the Caleb Pike grounds with a commemorative plaque explaining how it came to pee… I meant be.
• The monies raised will go to the Highlands Stewardship Foundation (HSF), wherein Eric Bohnam will put it towards research and education around protecting and preserving groundwater.
• Intent of the event is to bring attention to water conservation, building code policies that impede sustainable solutions, resource recovery, and awareness of groundwater protection and preservation.

You Can Participate in the Celebrity Flush

Yes we are looking for flushers, anyone who supports this event and its intent. If you wish to participate and flush the Low Flow Toilet or simply come out to show your support, we would be pleased to register you. Again, all donations going towards the HSF. Please contact us at annandgord@eco-sense.ca or 250-478-2680. This will be a media event.

New Taglines for Eco-Sense

Ann and I are always trying out new sayings that capture the essence of the example we are trying to set.

Some of the tag lines that are a hit…
- Less life stuff… more LIFE STYLE
- If it isn’t affordable… it isn’t sustainable!

Some tag lines that we still like…
- We have hot shit! (Referring to our thermophilic compost)
- Our shit don’t stink! (Referring to our compost toilet system)
- We can get shit to stick to anything! (Referring to our success in using horse manure in all our plasters and experimental countertops, floors, and architectural/sculptural features).

We are open to your tag lines. Feel free to share.

As February comes to a close, we are excited with the fact we made it through another winter in the trailers. Soon (and no sooner) we will be in the home. We thank all those who provide their feedback, and every month it changes… which empowers us to the end.
And to all those saddened by a lack of a rant, don’t despair as when there is less excitement we will always be able to turn our tongues to the irrational and ridiculous behavior that get in the way of a reasonable life.

Have a wonderful Spring,
Gord and Ann