Hello all! I am writing on behalf of a small television production company that is currently looking for stories about people who are planning to build/in the process of building sustainable homes in remote locations in the U.S. If you're interested in finding out more, please let me know and we can exchange contact info. Thank you!
Stories about Sustainable Building
- Thread starter Rose_sustainability
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What, exactly, is a sustainable home?
When I build, I concentrate on strength, to survive earthquakes, winds up to 150 mph, and fire resistance. The home should stay livable for well over 100 years, produce its own power, and be comfortable no matter the season. I would incorporate a geo-grid for air circulation and summer cooling. A geo-sinked heat pump would handle heating and any extraordinary cooling. Materials are wood, steel, fiberglass, cement board and copper. Floors and counter tops are quartz.
I guess I worry less about my "carbon footprint" and more about longevity.
When I build, I concentrate on strength, to survive earthquakes, winds up to 150 mph, and fire resistance. The home should stay livable for well over 100 years, produce its own power, and be comfortable no matter the season. I would incorporate a geo-grid for air circulation and summer cooling. A geo-sinked heat pump would handle heating and any extraordinary cooling. Materials are wood, steel, fiberglass, cement board and copper. Floors and counter tops are quartz.
I guess I worry less about my "carbon footprint" and more about longevity.
Sustainable is a word that people throw around a lot, and I suppose I'm guilty of that. Sorry for the lack of clarity! What I'm looking for is a home that will be able to sustain itself/run independently with no connection to a city. It should be environmentally conscious and off grid.
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14 years ago we built for fires, strong winds. Contractors said it was over kill, I said " great thats what we want". It is 24X34. Our architect was a commercial builder and helped me with plans, He also gave us another room upstairs that wasn't in the plans. So instead of 3 rooms and 2 bathes we have 4.
We've slept 21 family members at Thanksgiving. Some grandkids like tents so they sometimes stayed in them in yard.
We have solar but haven't used it yet. Now that the county is starting to put in Smart Meters that may rush up the solar.
We've slept 21 family members at Thanksgiving. Some grandkids like tents so they sometimes stayed in them in yard.
We have solar but haven't used it yet. Now that the county is starting to put in Smart Meters that may rush up the solar.
Rose, welcome to the sight!
That phrase, "environmentally conscious" is something I have a problem with. Some new homes that meet the energy star rating are made with half the wood in foam panels with plastic hoses for plumbing. They are focused on insulation value at the cost of everything else. Most of those won't last 50 years and are not made to withstand high winds or fire at all. If you live in an area where there are never high winds, no insects (bugs love living in foam walls) and no fire danger then you have a home that will be comfortable for as long as most people own a home.
I prefer wood studs on 16 inch centers, wood sheathing on both sides followed by type X dry wall and covered on the outside with cement board sheathing/siding. I like fiberglass bat insulation because it is fire resistant and provides good insulation for a tight house. Bugs and mice don't like fiberglass so it keeps them out of my home. I dislike gas for heating or cooking so electricity is what I prefer. That's convenient because we can generate electricity with wind, water and sunlight. Heat pumps are the most efficient air handling systems and If you use a heat exchanger you can keep a tight home very comfortable at very low cost.
All this does make a home a bit more expensive at first but it pays for itself over a short time span. The house will stand strong for a century or more even in the worst climates. Maintenance is low and repairs are practically nonexistent.
That phrase, "environmentally conscious" is something I have a problem with. Some new homes that meet the energy star rating are made with half the wood in foam panels with plastic hoses for plumbing. They are focused on insulation value at the cost of everything else. Most of those won't last 50 years and are not made to withstand high winds or fire at all. If you live in an area where there are never high winds, no insects (bugs love living in foam walls) and no fire danger then you have a home that will be comfortable for as long as most people own a home.
I prefer wood studs on 16 inch centers, wood sheathing on both sides followed by type X dry wall and covered on the outside with cement board sheathing/siding. I like fiberglass bat insulation because it is fire resistant and provides good insulation for a tight house. Bugs and mice don't like fiberglass so it keeps them out of my home. I dislike gas for heating or cooking so electricity is what I prefer. That's convenient because we can generate electricity with wind, water and sunlight. Heat pumps are the most efficient air handling systems and If you use a heat exchanger you can keep a tight home very comfortable at very low cost.
All this does make a home a bit more expensive at first but it pays for itself over a short time span. The house will stand strong for a century or more even in the worst climates. Maintenance is low and repairs are practically nonexistent.
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Hi, Rose, and welcome. I agree with Meerkat. I hope you join in some of our other discussions.
You have probably looked at some of the videos on YouTube. There is so much content out there. Many people are building their own homes off grid. Some people start out thinking they will be off-grid, and then after fighting for survival, change their minds in a few years.
You have probably looked at some of the videos on YouTube. There is so much content out there. Many people are building their own homes off grid. Some people start out thinking they will be off-grid, and then after fighting for survival, change their minds in a few years.
Thanks so much for the advice. Will be looking around some more.
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What is environmentally conscious? Like, no bugs were harmed in the building of the home? I know in Santa Fe, it's crazy expensive to build a new place. All the dirt has to be brought in so the ground is not disturbed.
Maybe look at the Taos area where very high priced homes are built with old tires and glass bottles.
Maybe look at the Taos area where very high priced homes are built with old tires and glass bottles.
Following the thread to see what all comes out of it. I'm constantly looking for ideas.
Have you seen Noah Bradley's site or YouTube channel?
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I think tents are very sustainable, worked for the native Americans for years. Worked for me lots of times too. Of course not sure how long it would work for the community or leaders.
I would try it in the swamps or hills long as it was ok with the wildlife.
I would try it in the swamps or hills long as it was ok with the wildlife.
Thank you for the recommendation. Looking into it now!
Rose.......How much is the Television Production Company, willing to pay me....???
Will I have any say in the final editing......??? How much drama will be needed......??? I actually have a perfect project starting in 45 days. Do you have any interest in filming off grid Alaska construction....???
I am thinking we get the foundation in by late summer, we stage most of the framing package at the bottom of the mountain. We wait for snow, and film the building materials being hauled in by snow machine and freight sled. Maybe start hauling using dog sleds freighting building materials.
Lots of drama building in Alaska winter. We could have the crew live in wall tents. Maybe find an attractive lady to bring the crew hot coffee. I can arrange for Grizzly Bears to visit. The construction site is currently cleared and ready for a planned 28'X36' foundation, there is a ATV trail up the mountain. The outhouse is built. A creek on site with pure water.
Will I have any say in the final editing......??? How much drama will be needed......??? I actually have a perfect project starting in 45 days. Do you have any interest in filming off grid Alaska construction....???
I am thinking we get the foundation in by late summer, we stage most of the framing package at the bottom of the mountain. We wait for snow, and film the building materials being hauled in by snow machine and freight sled. Maybe start hauling using dog sleds freighting building materials.
Lots of drama building in Alaska winter. We could have the crew live in wall tents. Maybe find an attractive lady to bring the crew hot coffee. I can arrange for Grizzly Bears to visit. The construction site is currently cleared and ready for a planned 28'X36' foundation, there is a ATV trail up the mountain. The outhouse is built. A creek on site with pure water.
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Or you could watch the show about building off grid in Alaska that is already on TV. Just a thought lol
Well............Small problem there, see I have not wasted any of my life watching TV in the last 22 years. I did purchase one of those TV'thingies about 5 or 6 years ago, but it is still in the box.
I don't even own one in a box. Catch things in hotels or at friends houses.
Cnsper, I try not to catch anything in hotels...
