Couple Builds Off The Grid House

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This is a 210 page active thread where a couple built an off the grid house.

Looks like she started posting in June 2008, and there was a post in the thread yesterday.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tenne...tennessee.html

There is a TON of info here: links, ideas, mistakes, fixes, many progress pics, etc.

I've only made to to page 64 so far.

Edit:

Their land purchase: 38.5 acres (pg 31) at $7k per acre (pg 33) = $269500.00

[Ryan Ruck]

Their land purchase: 38.5 acres (pg 31) at $7k per acre (pg 33) = $269500.00

Where I've got my eye on, I'm looking at $1k or at most $2k. Hopefully I'll be getting a similar amount of space but I've got a 20ac minimum.

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Couple more threads from there:

Non Electric Homestead McMinn County

Living Without Electricity On Our 100 Year Old Farm.

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Where I've got my eye on, I'm looking at $1k or at most $2k. Hopefully I'll be getting a similar amount of space but I've got a 20ac minimum.

Yeah - I know.

It's obvious they have deep pockets for this.

Then again, reading the thread they are extremely practical and absolutely not frivolous.

Like I was told once: The rich don't get rich by wasting their money.

Can't remember the exact figure or exactly what all it included: but I remember seeing a figure of $85K for their house.

There is a place a few hours from me that specializes in berm houses. I called them, and it is kinda expensive.

Thing is, the salesman claimed you could install an AC unit approx. 1/3 the normal size.

I realted the temp control qualities from that thread, and he agreed a berm will keep the temp steadier.

Thing is figuring out where the dollar lines for the increased berm building cost and regualr house with increased AC expenses cross.

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Good points, Peterle.

I don't recall reading exactly why they wanted to be completely off the grid.

Although early in my reading she did make a comment about 'someday things will get really hard for folks.'

I'm thinking they both are serious preppers, but won't come right out and say it.

Edit: Just remembered 2 things:

1. She was asked if they didn't have commercial power it would have been too expensive. She said it wasn't expensive, told how much it was (I don't remember the amount), and they didn't want commercial power.

2. They've got their solar/wind system as 2 seperate systems. That way if 1 breaks, goes down for maint, etc. they still have power.

As an electrician, I found his work pretty good. You'd probably get a kick from reading the entire thread.

They built their house (as she mentioned) with the thought of using only the bare minimum necessary. Although they do have a washer and dryer, microwave, etc.

So far, they've never depleted their battery supply. Along with 12 solar panels they have two wind generators. Although I don't understand - and she hasn't explained - the exact relation those have to their system, and I don't recall reading exactly what their output is.

They do have a back-up generator. I've never seen any mention or pics of anything other than a small portable Honda.

They have a motor home they lived in while building. She wrote that when there was snow on the ground they were cold in the motorhome, yet the berm house maintained a comfortable temp.

Most of their appliances are propane - stove, fridge, etc.

I think they did one hell of a job.

For me, I'm not sure it would work.

It's damn hot here, and AC is a must.

I'll have to research, but I wonder if the extra costs of a berm house and all the solar and wind equipment required to generate enough electricity for an AC may be prohibitive.

I'm kinda leaning toward commercial power for just the AC, then everything else being solar and wind.

Still a major project in the making.

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I'll bring interesting links here so folks don't have to read the entire thread.

http://www.nanosolar.com/

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/ISPWH/ispwh.htm

http://www.bigfrogmountain.com/

The installation of their solar system starts here on page 15:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tennessee....nnessee-15.html

2 threads by Forest Breath about living off the grid:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/green-liv....r-100-year.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tennessee....inn-county.html
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They bought their solar equipment here: http://www.windsun.com/
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http://www.solatube.com/residential/what-is-daylighting/index.php
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Doubtful I'd use this, but maybe someone else:
http://www.mastervisions.com/wildlife-decor.htm

http://www.deansstainedglass.com/

Solar powered attic fan: http://www.bigfrogmountain.com/AtticFan.html

http://www.pvresources.com/en/hybrid.php

We used "Apex Earthseal Foam 1.8lb" which is a closed cell insulation and has an R value of 6.8 per inch

http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk/acatalog/Shower.html

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago71.html

http://www.envirofoaminsulation.com/

Solar panels for Rvs: http://www.amsolar.com/

DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. Link: http://www.dsireusa.org/

Propane appliances: http://www.warehouseappliance.com/propane_gas_refrigerators.htm

Zero-energy building: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_energy_building


Model 1600H Tankless Water Heater: http://www.boschhotwater.com/BoschHotWat....4/Default.as px

PEX tubing: http://www.ppfahome.org/pex/faqpex.html

Direct Current Solar Ready Air Conditioning Systems: http://www.solcool.net/

Most DIYers know about this thing, but just in case.
6" Contour Gage: http://www.generaltools.com/Products/6-Contour-Gage__837.aspx

Organic farming info: http://www.dirtdoctor.com/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/

http://davesgarden.com/

http://www.seedsavers.org/

http://www.territorialseed.com/

http://www.seedsofchange.com/

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/

http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/

http://www.dadant.com/catalog/

No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/world/europe/27house.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

http://www.aquascience.net/whole-house-filtration/

http://www.harmsco.com/pdf/Cartridges/Sub_Micron_Filter_Cartridges.pdf

http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

http://www.greenlightmfg.com/

http://www.americanmeadows.com/

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http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/clover-seed/white-dutch-clover-seed.html

Air Vent Turbine Ventilator: http://www.atco.co.th/

Stainless steel solar powered ventilator: http://store.sundancesolar.com/ststsove.html?productid=ststsove&channelid=FROOG

Solar Power 101- Batteries: http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago87.html

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery....0on%20Batteries

[MinutemanCO]

I haven't had a chance yet to review the links. Is there any mention of utilizing geothermal energy?

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No mention yet - other than the insulating properties of it being a berm house.

She did mention that the house never got above 68F inside with no AC - IIRC the exact temp.

Also in the winter when it was freezing outside, they only used their propane fireplace at night.

I've only read to page 149 - still have another 80 more to go.

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Peterle, just thought you'd find his work interesting. She has said he figured out how to install the system with almost zero instruction, and one vendor told him it would not work the way he was doing it.

And just so you folks know, I'm not researching any of the links I'm bring here. I'm basically reading the original thread, and pulling what looks interesting here.

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I like the fact these folks use their brains, and are willing to try different methods that veer from the norm.

This is an interesting solution - from page 150.

I will recap our water system. Normally when you have a well the water is pumped directly from the well and into your house and there is no tank involved. Most of the silt or debris in the water from the earth is mixed in and you never see it.

Mike and I buried a 1200 gallon tank to store our water before it comes into the house. We did this because our solar set up can't handle the power well pump uses every time we run water. We fill up the tank using the generator. Then we have a smaller 12 volt pump inside the house that gives us running water. Because our water is stored in a tank the silt ends up on the bottom of the tank instead of mixed in with our well water. The water coming into the house is clear but the bottom of the tank needs to be cleaned 2 times a year.

We don't use any bleach or cleaning agents. We just use clean towels and Mike wipes it all out. Good as new.

We fill the tank about once every 2 weeks and it takes about 45 minutes.

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From page 155.

The total is $96880.00

I will give you an estimate of costs. Our paperwrok is put away so this is from memory.

All concrete work 35,000
Lumber, sheetrock, material, and trusses 10,000
roof 1,000
kitchen & appliances 5,000
bathroom 2,000
ceiling 1,500
flooring 4,000
plumbing and electrical 750
spray foam insulation 3,500
front doors 2,000
paint and gutters 500
fireplace 1,000

Outside of house-
well 6,000
septic 1,000
grading for homesite and roads 10,000
Solar(as we have it now)
12 135 watt panels 7200
2 charge controllers 1300
combiner boxes 650
inverter 2500
14 batteries , 980
wiring for solar completed 1000

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Wood stoves: http://www.lehmans.com/store/Stoves_..._all=&sort_by=

[American Patriot]

Wow... sound slike a boat.

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Wow... sound slike a boat.

As in "bottomless financial pit?"

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Hehe

I am NOT off grid but i have 2 as backup when main system goes off.
Pretty often
http://www.lanordica-extraflame.com/

Well, it looks good, but I can't translate it.

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http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/buildingfacility.htm

Finally made it to page 210 of that thread, and this looks like the last of good info - but I'll keep checking.

There are 2 more solar power type threads - I'll see what's in there.

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Thanks Peterle.

Those look nice.