Energy & Efficiency
Not much happens without the expenditure of energy. We take pride in doing as much as we can with renewable energy, usually in the form of human muscle power derived from sunlight via plants. That said, we do have a car and a petrol powered mower that gets used sparingly.
Here at blockhill we have a number of options when it comes to harvesting alternative energy. The easiest and most obvious sources to use are solar and wind.
Over a period of a year or so I intend to evaluate some of the options and decide if it's worth (effort, financial etc.) pursuing further.
Insulation
Cutting the grass with electrons
Bath-B-Q (another go at brick laying)
Details:Wood fired brick bath and barbecue out in the orchard.
Making use of left over bricks and the surplus cast iron bath.
Looking forward to soaking under the stars.
Making use of left over bricks and the surplus cast iron bath.
Looking forward to soaking under the stars.
Ride on mower - fossil fuel extravagance
Scything like it's 1809
Energy efficiency with hot water
Currently most of out hot water heating is done by electricity although we are are working on a number of strategies to reduce this component. One part of the approach is to keep the thermostat set so that the water is just hot enough.
I was having a conversation with a friend and neighbour about energy efficiency and hot water heating and what was the best temperature setting for the hot water cylinder.
The friend was operating under the incorrect assumption that it was better to have the cylinder as hot as possible so that when water was taken out, for a shower say, there was less cold water entering that required heating. There is a certain surface logic to this but it seemed to me that it doesn't matter what temperature the water is, when you have a shower or do the dishes you are extracting the same amount of energy (in the form of hot water) from the tank and so the energy needing to be replaced is the same.
The issue with keeping water extra hot then, is more to do with the extra energy that is required to maintain a greater temperature differential between the temperature inside and outside the hot water tank.
According to one website:
"The ideal setting is 60°C. It is important that the water in the cylinder is this hot to kill bacteria such as legionella but higher temperature settings only increase your power bill."
17 Jun 2011
I was having a conversation with a friend and neighbour about energy efficiency and hot water heating and what was the best temperature setting for the hot water cylinder.
The friend was operating under the incorrect assumption that it was better to have the cylinder as hot as possible so that when water was taken out, for a shower say, there was less cold water entering that required heating. There is a certain surface logic to this but it seemed to me that it doesn't matter what temperature the water is, when you have a shower or do the dishes you are extracting the same amount of energy (in the form of hot water) from the tank and so the energy needing to be replaced is the same.
The issue with keeping water extra hot then, is more to do with the extra energy that is required to maintain a greater temperature differential between the temperature inside and outside the hot water tank.
According to one website:
"The ideal setting is 60°C. It is important that the water in the cylinder is this hot to kill bacteria such as legionella but higher temperature settings only increase your power bill."
17 Jun 2011
Energy efficient bulbs
Available in either Edison thread or bayonet they fit into a standard light socket. Being LED they do not contain any mercury.
Unfortunately I have already had one cut out for some reason.
http://www.eoutlet.co.nz/catalog/viribr...
10 Jun 2011
Measuring the sun
My interest is in the effect of the suns angle to the panel array and the relationship to voltage. While there are probably some models put there, I have not seen any and find that actual experience is much more convincing and reliable.
My observations will influence my decision to include tracking capabilities to my solar installation.
Notice the clever little rod below the panels whose shadow (or lack of) can be used to determine if it is pointed directly at the sun.
18 May 2011
The passing of a legacy
The silver lining of the 'death' of our old subaru wagon is the improvements in fuel efficiency.
And yes, the old body was recycled after we stripped of useful parts.
26 Jan 2011
Spinning with the wind
Using old bicycle wheels and pieces of fat pipe I managed to put together a trial device for collection energy from the wind. Determining the angle of the 'blades' is the important factor. The next version will be bigger and better and allow for fine tuning.
13 Jan 2011