Eco home

[Mikey]

My train of thought for this month is to build a passive eco home. In fact I have a real urge to build a traditional crux oak frame passive house. I want to be off grid using a wood stove boiler, solar panels and as many other gadgets that I can come across along the way.

Anyone fancy poking me in the direction of some good sites to check out. I've been to the centre for alternative technology in Machynlleth which is cool. Any others out there?

[veggiechicken]

Try this lot in Cardiff Home page of Eco Home Centre
Also the Ecohouse at St Fagans is worth a look.

[Matt94]

You haven't got inspiration from Kevin mcclouds man made home series have you?

[Mikey]

I've been to the eco house in St fagans a few times, it was the first place I remember seeing a ground source heat pump. I don't think it is open all the time anymore, I think its just by appointment these days, which is a shame.

I found this when looking through the eco site, thats a useful site thanks VC.

[Mikey]

You haven't got inspiration from Kevin mcclouds man made home series have you?

Well not really, I've been wanting to build ever since I did my first house up, truth be told when I get near to completing a home I'm ready to move on to the next. I can't quite explain it, I don't want to enjoy it, I want to move on...I'm not right in the head.

I was watching grand designs last night mind, and they were doing a passive house, there's something about your house paying you money that really appeals to me.

[veggiechicken]

They're very helpful face to face too! Friends of mine have built a passive house, not oak frame though but they have electricity and water connected as a backup. Glad of it too

[Mikey]

I think its important to be connected to the grid, otherwise you don't have anywhere to sell all the energy you create too.

I'll look them up VC, I fancy using Welsh Oak, but it can be a bit pricey. OH has a plot at the inlaws lined up so its not just a pipe dream.

[veggiechicken]

This house pays me money too - for the solar electricity I love those cheques
Just think Mikey, if you built one down here we'd almost be neighbours And you could play in my wood

[Mikey]

I can borrow a chainsaw too you know....

My FIL will happliy go off chopping down wood, and take it away FOC, over grown hedges, small trees, he's your man.

How many units (solar) do you have VC, I can't say I noticed them, are they down West?

[veggiechicken]

Solar PV (2.4kw) and thermal, both down west - and rainwater harvesting for the loos. Two woodburners but I still need oil for CH and hotwater this time of year.
When you're next down this way, come over and I'll show you all the paraphernalia you need!

[alldigging]

What about a composting loo?

[veggiechicken]

What about a composting loo?

Not for me! I have more than enough rainwater for flushing 1200 litre underground tank.

[MartinRSharpe]

These guys are just around the corner from my parents
Ecospheric

[Glutton4...]

Thanks to the lovely Kevin McCloud we both have an addiction for Straw Bale houses! I read about this recently;

http://www.strawbalehouse.co.uk/

Looks good!

[chris]

I really want to do a self build too, but with all the toys. Hopefully I'll be able to strike a deal with work ahead of times, but I'm looking at a ground source heat pump, heat exchanging units, solar pe/pv, wind turbines - the lot!

Infact, my neighbour wants to share a turbine with me on a bit of ground in front of our houses. Not sure how we'd split the feed mind, but hey ho.