zeroHouse: sustainable living

[cyanide]

http://home.howstuffworks.com/zero-house.htm

It's pretty amazing. Some features:
- Off the power grid, no energy bill: uses solar energy with power to last a week with no sunlight.
- Only 650 square feet, but it includes 2 bedrooms, a full bathroom, living room, kitchen, storage, heating & air conditioning, and decks.
- Rainwater is collected, holding up to 22 000 gallons.
- Closed cell foam insulation.
- Compost unit underneath collects waste with ventilation through the roof.
- House is built onto the ground using helical anchors.





The interior design and architecture of the building is amazing. It's extremely efficient with space, maximizing the most out of 650 square feet. Personally, I'd love to live in a zeroHouse and not have to pay a single energy bill. I really hope this concept of sustainable development hits the mainstream, especially with the global issues of environmentalism.

[shadowgrin]

My concern is the water reserve of the house, where will the inhabitants get water assuming they are in an arid location?

Also about the waste water, I understand from that article that the house's built-in filtration system is for the rainwater collected for it to be usable. What happens to the water that you used to flush shite and wash stuff?

It's a revolutionary idea but it will still undergo a lot of trial-and-error/testing/experience from the makers to truly make the house comfortable for its dwellers at the same time absolutely be a "zeroHouse".

[cyanide]

My concern is the water reserve of the house, where will the inhabitants get water assuming they are in an arid location?

I wondered about that too. It can power a week without sunlight, but I wonder how long it can last in a drought. Holding 22 000 gallons of water is quite a lot, but I do wonder how fast that can be replenished. As you mentioned about the waste water, I'm assuming that gets flushed away into the compost, and maybe some water gets recycled via filtration systems? I'm not too sure about the water system, but if they can get the house to work in extreme conditions and scenarios, then I'm sold.

[shadowgrin]

I'm assuming that gets flushed away into the compost, and maybe some water gets recycled via filtration systems?

If they will make it that way, that house better have a really effective filtration system.

"Look cyanide, I'm drinking filtered/cleaned water from my pee/shite"

[cyanide]

If they will make it that way, that house better have a really effective filtration system.

"Look cyanide, I'm drinking filtered/cleaned water from my pee/shite"

I meant some water, as in non-toilet related systems. Though, I can't really imagine how effective the filtratrion systems would be if dishwater had to be reused, or water after a shower, etc.

[shadowgrin]

The filtered water can be used in other areas that don't cause that much sanitary concerns like water for the lawn or toilet.

But that still leaves the problem of disposal or filtering of the water from the toilet system. I doubt cleaned shite water is ideal to be reused even for the lawn.

It all comes back to the dependency on the filtration system and if it only reuses water for certain systems previously mentioned then the problem of having a supply of fresh water is still there.

Also, to have an effective water-cleaning system energy is required. Getting power for heat/electricity for the filtration system is no problem since the house is self-sufficient with regard to that, but the equipment needed for the "really effective" filtration system might add up or be bulky, defeating the house's purpose of being space efficient.


One thing I know is that never accept a glass of water just in case you visit someone who lives in a house like that.

[Andrew]

My concern is the water reserve of the house, where will the inhabitants get water assuming they are in an arid location?

I would assume it would be a similar situation to people who live in rural areas. In the event of low rainfall or a full blown drought, you could pay to have water trucked in and your tank filled.