Solar Decathlon

Although they are not tiny homes, they are small homes and if they are working correctly, they are net energy producers.

http://www.solardecathlon.org/

I saw this quote almost fits the basic idea of progressive energy:

"Conceived as a free-standing solar-powered dwelling, the house incorporates multiple-zones, passive strategies, and efficiently designed active systems, enabling individuals to balance need for comfort and control while reducing total energy consumption. The Interlock house generates enough energy to meet its own needs, and is capable of directing any surplus into the existing grid, making it effectively a net-producer of energy."

"In addition to creating new energy-efficient housing options within existing communities, the house will demonstrate applications of new materials and practices in residential construction in ways which use less energy, create less waste, and nurture development of local enterprise. Some of these materials and practices have existed for years but have yet to be widely adopted, while others, such as material applications of agricultural waste and biocomposites are currently being developed at Iowa State."

http://www.solard.iastate.edu/project/

But, It like lacks the full depth of the idea. Yes, the use of agricultural waste is recycling, but they did not state the level of what is recycled and what level can be recycled, and how to recycle the parts. In other word, they need to "qualifyquantify" it. I wonder how, much can be recycle in a building? Even if the product has done things like dry rot.

I will have to write more some other time (I have not seen but this one entry).

Design

I have not seen any plans which completely shows my plan ideas, but the one that comes close is here:

http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/8x16-tiny-solar-house-plans-v2.pdf

One problem is the placement of the wheel well, I have talked to the author about that and he is going to change them. Another is orientation. Of the two floor plans, I like the second one, but when you look at the slope of the roof it is highest over the door, I want it to be the lowest point as to give more roof cover in rain. I also want the wall to be solid with the roof extended out, not the inset into the building space. I have now decided to place the door to the west side. It is also where the trailer hitch needs to be in my design head, but physics is telling me to place the door else where. The road winds would be right into this door and might cause weatherstripping issues.

I do like the idea I got from a site with a high priced RV. Make the shelves in Floor Plan 2 be both a bookcase and stairs. More books can go above the stairs.

I got to looking at the all-in-ones today, I do not like the refrigerator space. I know that a pizza box and gal. of milk are things that take up space, but shows how much space I want in a refrigerator. I feel that a freezer needs to be about the same size as the refrigerator.

Another issue is windows, I would have the high part of the north wall to have about 3 small windows. about 24" x 24". The center one of the lower windows would remain, but the others would be different. There would be a window on both sides of the corner desk. Both would be small and eye level when siting. The window might have to be tempered to be road ready.

The solar hot water panel my also need to be tempered.

There needs some reworking for water use. I would like to have a hot water stuff at a short distance and the thing that use cold alone to be as close as possible.

Some thing clever needs to take the solar hot water plumbing and electric power from the roof to inside without a big hole cut into the wall or roof.

Time Limits

I signed a one year contract with this apartment that I live in. It started at the beginning of June. So, I have until, June 2010 to have this PEH built.

I wonder who I need to contact to find out what product that they offer and see if I need in order to display them?

The Roof

In most houses, the roof has a simple use, to shield the building from weather. Mine will not be this simple. It will also serve as a rainwater collector and a place to hold solar panels, both solar hot water and photovoltaic. I am looking for a good catchment material, but I have some issues with all the ones that I know of. I don't want it to rust and leak nor do I want it to be heavy because of the road weight limits. The color has to be white or polished metal as to reflect as much light as possible away from the house. I do wonder if water which falls on solar panels is potable? I would like to know a way to tell how rainwater ready is a product, its wind tolerance, weight tolerance, and other features. I would like to find someone who knows about this stuff locally and which would like to have a rolling showcase of a product to public shows and things.

I do need to find something if this project is going to be on track. I know that as soon as a trailer is bought, the SIP panels will be designed to match. Then the roof and siding would be next. I wonder what would be a good cover for the underside of the trailer as it rolls down the road.

Green Eggs and Ham

I know, on food, I am not "green" -- which is another reason for not using that term. Food for humans is never going to be sustainable with 6 billion plus people on the face of the Earth and depleating oil. And there is a lot of foods that I do not eat, it is the way I grew up (no ones fault, but mine). Some of these are weird too. But you will have to get to know me and ask me if you really want to know about my food habits.

Starting out Ideas

So, I came up with an idea which would help me. Namely sponsorship. I will have different companies with good products to install there products and then I use the home as a demo at renewable energy fairs, Earth fest, ballgames, and other public gatherings. This way, products are not just talked about and shown a few photos. People can see, feel, and think about how a product may work for them.

For example, Today, I went to Korwall Industries, Inc. and talked with Stan Dimmick. Korwall is a brand of structural integrated panel SIP use to make walls, floors, and even roofs. They are made in Arlington, TX which make it as local as you can get with me. Basically, it is Styrofoam (think cooler) sandwiched between two pieces of wood of some sort. It can be plywood, strawboard or other recycled wood. They call it other stuff, but that just gets it less personal.

http://www.korwall.com/SIPs/PanelHomes/products.htm (products page)

I am in talks with Stan. We will have to take some time to set the design ideas in stone and I know a trailer must be bought first. And with a trailer, a means to move it is needed. I figure renting a truck during these times will fix that issue. But, I am open to ideas.

I am starting this search for usable products. So, if you have one and would like for me to test and show it, then send me an email and I will love to see value of it. For example, I plan on having solar panels (hot water and PV), and rainwater collection with the house. I know I don't need a refreg as big as the one in my apartment nor a freezer as big as mine. So there is one area that I will be researching in the future. I know ovens and stoves have some limits on size because after super the leftovers of a full size pizza still make good breakfast.

Here is something that I will have in the bathroom
http://www.realgoods.com/product/id/1013600.do

Grand Plan

I currently live in an apartment built in the 1970's. Although the electric bill is about $100 for about 600 sq ft. and rent (with water bill) is about $500 / month, I find these numbers are not sustainable economically with my $800 /month minimum wage part time income. I am limited to a small amount of sunlight on my three 15 W solar panels. It takes days to charge them. So, I have to pay for the use of all of the power monthly -- I can not own it.

A friend of mine in NTEAA built a tiny house and has got me wanting one for the low cost and the low cost of living. I googled around and found a few cool web sites and blogs which talked about tiny houses.

http:/www.nteaa.org (North Texas Electric Auto Association)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbarkley/sets/ (see the "Moving to Texas - Sorta!")

Yes, a tiny house is small. But, we all can get use to it if 3/4 of our pay goes to housing cost -- rent and electricity -- and the remainder going to food, gas, and car insurance. Notice I did not say anything about savings and health insurance -- the reason the economics is not sustainable.

Here is the general plan:

Build a house which can generate more power than it uses. I will be using solar for the most part.
Build or buy an electric car, truck, or van which can be powered by the extra house power.
Install a rainwater collection system as to reduce the need for water and to lower the water bill.
Find a small lot for the home and stop moving around.

If I meet a woman in this time frame, some "change in plans" are required, but this plan still holds to any size place she can afford with me. If you look at the list of bills that I pay, I would have all, but food and car insurance, but then I can add health insurance and start to save money. Oh, as for debt, that is another can of worms.