Want to build "drop out" cabin. Advice? - Page 2

 


Yes but this home/cabin will be so small that Im
thinking just ambient heat from light bulbs and
TV/computer may heat it somewhat. No?

I just don't see need for full blown ductwork and
forced air systems where cooling and heating are done.

 



Somewhat. An average US house uses 10K kWh/year, ie 1141 watts or 3892 Btu/h
on a continuous basis. If 3892 = (65-31.8)7x8x24/RV, you can keep your small
house warm with an average electrical usage and RV = 11.5 walls, on the order
of R13 insulation, but you wanted an energy-efficient house, ie one with less
than average electrical consumption. And what will you do for hot water?

Nick

 


Well ..... I guess I misstated that.  I want a home
with less electrical usage than current duplex Im
renting now. And monthly bill on it is say abt $40


On demand hot water heater?


IO guess Im hoping that just by making this home
small...... like a one bedroom home of sorts...... that
its very "smallness" will make it energy efficient.


Plus Im gonna use a method that will make it VERY well
insulated.  SIP panels or ICF.... something along those
lines.

Im not really interested in "off grid" living... i.e.
solar panels. etc..... as much as Im interested in
orienting home properly (south facing) and smallness
and high insulation values.

Does any of this make sense?   Or is my logic faulty?

 


Any sense, yes. Faulty logic - also yes. Smallness and good insulation
bring down energy use, but avoiding intelligent use of solar while
siting for solar collection is bad logic (and will be uncomfortable,
and/or add to your cooling load/cost if you're not careful).

For instance, if you are siting for solar, and you want low energy use
(and out-of-pocket expense), solar hot water is a no-brainer. Using an
instant electric heater saves you about diddly over an electric tank
heater (the math has been done, and actual measuarments have been
posted, either here or in alt.solar.thermal). Heating water is one of
the fastest payback, most sensible, least costly ways to use the sun to
lower your energy consumption. Unlike PV, it pretty much universally
makes sense, on or off the grid. Domestic hot water is a comparatively
large energy use, especially when you have cut down heating and cooling
costs through smallness and insulation.

Likewise, you will probably want an air-to-air heat exchanger, since
your small, tight, well insulated house will need some ventilation, and
when your house is well insulated, the relative cost of heating (or
cooling) the air you bring in to replace air you exhaust becomes large.

Adding some household heat that lasts after sunset is not much more
complicated, especially if done at the design phase.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by

 

In article
me@privacy.net says...

Don't just look at the dollar amount.  Also look at the
kWh usage.  This may also be called simply, "Units" on
your electric bill.

The dollar cost per kWh can change due to increases in
rates, whether you stay where you are, or if you move
elsewhere.

The first step is to examine your current usage, in
terms of Kilo-Watt-Hours.  The second step is to
squeeze that down with low-power lights, better
personal habits, etc.

Also note that, in the long run  your electricity cost
may change by diverting money to other power, like gas.



That heat still has to come from somewhere/something
that usually costs money.  Perhaps gas, perhaps a solar
equipment investment.  Also important to develop
efficient habits with your usage (and attitude - a cold
shower now and then won't kill you.)



My own "drop out cabin" aspiration involves land that
is cheap due to being away from utilities.  The
seller's assumption that I would invest in connections
would help drive down the price.  Then, I would tough
it out for some time, while building up resources and
equipment.  A small travel-trailer is a serious idea.


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