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Just got in from presenting a bid for a new home- went well. Customer asked me to find out what I could about cement siding, alternative methods of sewage disposal (as opposed to a septic system), and harnessing the wind to generate electricity. I lead a pretty uneventfull building life here in the heart of Ohio and nobody ever asks for these things- any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated…
I’ll be checking the archives.
thanks,
hub
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Replies
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Doug, here in Southern Cal (we're always ahead of the rest of the country) we have this high tech sewage disposal system called "The Sewer"......runs downhill (mostly) and eventually after a little bit of government interference empties into the Pacific Ocean. Remember this next time you're out to dinner and the menu is featuring anything that didn't say "Moo!" in it's previous incarnation.
Wind we got here too. Out by Palm Springs there are hundreds of windmills. They used to be a tax dodge, now they're income. Go figure! Them government types are into just about everything.
Don't know about siding, here we use grafitti to cover the sheathing. Joe H
*Helpfull as always Joe- really can't place a value on your advice! Have a good one amigo...
*Try this link... I just guessed a site name and this came up!!!Wind EnergyHTH,Phil
*doug.. the alternative systems to a septic system..and i'm not talking about new technology here.. and i don't think you are either.. are very expensive... they have limited appeal.. and are usually only a last resort type of alternative..see ((clivus multum) ( a composting toilet..and incinolet... an incinerating toiletcement siding is great.. see the archives...windpower is very objectionable to the neighbors..expensive to install.. needs a high tower, is extrememly noisy.... and needs a connection to the grid to be cost effective...forget batteries..and unenlightened zoning boards...if this customer is out in the woods... maybe ...windpower and alt. septic...if not .. he's going to waste your time and never do either one....this is just my opinion.. but it's based on been there , done that, won't be fooled again...wind power, photovoltaics.. these are specialty fields that have no market.. the industries can't support an infrastructure.. and you can't train one and keep one so who will service this stuff in 3 - 5 years ?if the fed's wanted to have an energy program to greenhouse these industries.. they could.... but they'd do it without me...many people wasted fortunes and 10 - 15 years trying to make these things work economically... but the market was driven by governmenmt support.. and killed when the feds withdrew their support...give 'em low maintenance, quality construction, with all the energy conservation you can build into esthetically pleasing design...leave the rest to the ones stuck in the '70's..b but hey, whadda i no ?
*I thought I had the weird ones, putting refrigerators in the basement, building giant garages with doors too small for vehicles, pumping poop uphill, etc.The alternative to a septic system not already mentioned is a holding tank. Not much of an alternative. Windpower is something you can check a map for feasibility in your area. There's a few here, but we are on the fringe. I don't think it's very productive here, see them standing still fairly often.Cement board siding is between vinyl and cedar in cost, but a great value. 50 year warranty and looks good. No vinyl!
*I took a tour of an office building in toronto (it was some cosmetic company) that has their own bio-mass waste treatment facility. In our climate, this basically involves creating a full ecosystem under glass. It requires a huge commitment of space, not to mention cubic dollars to build one like that. But maybe there's a newer verion that's more practical - try the Sierra Club, GreenPeace, and Polution Probe: they usually know the latest and greatest on this stuff.
*I had originally considered trying to go with a composting system, but on reflection decided that a septic system was really a pretty natural way of recycling waste and would probably end up being cheaper and would require less attention. Some resources on composting toilets:http://www.cityfarmer.org/comptoilet64.htmlhttp://www.clivusmultrum.com/index.htmlhttp://www.biolet.com/http://www.envirolet.com/sancor/enbasplusnon.htmlhttp://www.compostingtoilet.com/http://www.nrvbulkfoods.com/Sun-Mar-Toilet.htmSites giving info on incinerating toiletshttp://www.capecod.net/alternativeseptic/Incinerating/Incinerating.htmhttp://www.incinolet.com/A site giving some additional links to alternative disposal systemshttp://www.ecological-engineering.com/index.htmlHome Power magazine has been into fairly low end wind and solar power for a number of years. They have some info on their web site, extensive links to alternative power dealers, and a CD for sale that has the info from their past issues:http://www.homepower.com/Their home page has articles on solar power and some pictures, it was very slow to load on my high speed link, so if you want wind power equipment supplies you can go directly to the links page at:http://www.homepower.com/links.htmI recently purchase an older, but unused windmill that drives an air compressor. the compressed air is then used to pump water through the lifting action of air bubbles - sort of like the air stones used in a home aquarium. When I get it working, I will post about how well it works. The windmill/compressor/water pump company is at:http://www.bowjon.net/(I think there is another company that makes these types of units, but that info should be somewhere in the links at the Home Power site.)I could probably dig out a few more of my bookmarked sites (not totally organized yet...) but this should give you an idea - good luck
*Doug, Check out Real Goods (www.realgoods.com) They are out of northern California and offer a lot of information on alternatives to standard sewer/septic and generating power as well as many oyther interesting thoughts. An excellent first stop to find where to continue.About 20 years ago I built a composting toilet for a new house I was building in Maine. We used Sym van derRands ( I think) design from his THE TOILET PAPERS. It was dry stacked blocks with a troweled on bonding/sealing cement, pretty simple. Several years ago she wrote me and commented that the toilet was still working great.I cannot recall any definite source, but there is info out there on grey water treatment via recycling the water. Some were real nice, incorporating a solarium/greenhouse, indoor ponds and food production.There are still some old Jacobs wind generators kicking around un used. Most wind generators for home use I have been involved with couple it with photo-voltaic. The location isa critical for either application. Again Real Goods is a good start for informatiopn. I have no experience with cement siding. Probably cheaper than stucco or stone though. Sounds like some interesting people to work for. Best of luck on the project.walk good david
*Doug,So far, the god folks here have ignored your question about cement siding and pretty much poo pooed your question about alternative sewage disposal systems. There has been a lot of discussion here (and on the Construction Techniques board) about fiber cement siding AKA "Hardieboard". Search the archives. http://www.jameshardie.com/usahome.htm I have the stuff on my house. More expensive than vinyl, cheaper than brick. As for alternative septic systems I suggest you talk to your county health department or who ever permits sdeptic systems in your jurisdiction. They should know what is approved for your area. Specifically ask them about aeration systems. They are like a small sewer treatment plant. If you can surface discharge the total cost is about the same (or a little less) as a septic tank and field. http://www.kistner.com/underground/uss-aeration.htm
*Ah, thanks Mad Dog! When hub said cememt siding, I thought - why not say Concrete walls? ;-)[email protected]
*This is a terrific system, but not to my knowledge for a single residence (but there is a tiny village here that is planning or has already implemented one). The basic idea is that one organisms waste is candy to another organism, so they create a system where almost every ingredient of waste is used by something else; at the top of the chain are plants and trees, so the whole thing looks beautiful too. I didn't think it was that expensive to set up (except in an urban office building; who gets these ideas?), no where near as expensive as a conventional sewage treatment plant. Plus it looks beautiful; some of the existing ones are tourist attractions.
*Well compared to a commercial treatment plant, it doesn't seem expensive Adrian; but, it's a lot more per square foot than an indoor pool; and, as you know, they aren't small; so, I meant they were quite expensive as an add-on to an SFR. They can be very attractive, the one I toured has a Blue Heron living in it (they open the doors in the summer to cool the place off, they already had frogs, one day this heron showed up and decided to stay).
*I think mike has nailed this. (big surprise) Been checking all day- found the siding info (thank you steve). The locals aren't really keen on the alternative waste sytems and the customer isn't willing to spend time and effort on it. My electrition is feeling challenged to tell me no in an informed way... I will pass this on.Seems like the dollars spent will not match his commitment to these systems.I got the contract by the way- lotta thanks to me - cuz I do great work. Lotta thanks to you people cuz you do great work and share what you know...Anyway- thankshave a cold one on me
*DougCheck out cemplank.com . I gave them a call and they sent me a package with samples and brochures. Was able to take samples to customer for review.vince
*thanks vince- will do...