Solar energy is a key component to sustainable living. In order to have a
"neutral impact" we need to produce as much energy as we consume. Tony
Adrian, one of our members, solar home tour host, and sustainable living expert
has been sending me a wealth of information over the past year via emails.
I have visited his home, seen the ventilation and solar in action, and yes,
drank rainwater out of his faucet. This page is a collection of that
valuable information for your use that Tony has graciously allowed me to post.
Here's a little background on Tony and his home:
Article in the Lafayette, LA paper
http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn/ESSN-Jul2005.pdf ...page
24
http://www.homes-across-america.org/search/search.cfm
...Search
"Louisiana"
Enjoy the
info... there will be more added.
Jeff Shaw
Great observations about life today and
the Spring Sustainability Day...
Hey Jeff,
You know - things appear to be taking off at an astounding rate. 100%
of the people know things are screwed up. 100% of the people know that we
can't keep going on like this. People are hungry for change.
I dropped off an old tractor today to an old man who grew up farming with
mules over here in Prairie Laurent. The old man knows things are screwed
up. He knows food tasted better when he was a kid. He knows the municipal
water kills his tomatoes. He knows his grandchildren don't know how to look
him in the eye. The grandchildren are unable to do anything except walk
around Wal-Mart, play video games, or speak to him like he's stupid and
they're smart. Too much TV. Too much education. Not enough learning. The
grandchildren's parents work two jobs. The kids can have a TV in every
room. The grandchildren are lost and he's the map out - but they are unable
to look past his overalls to see it. The parents are so busy trying not to
be like him they don't realize they've thoroughly accomplished that goal
already. 10:30 AM on a beautiful day and the kids never came out to see
what the old man & I were doing. They were just getting out of bed in an
air-conditioned house to eat pre-sweetened cereal and watch MTV.
Yep - 100% may know things are screwed up - but maybe 10% of the people know
the answer is "Slow" - slow food, slow water, slow living, ... Lots of
upside room to grow. Less is more. Much more.
One of my best friends works 60 to 90 hours a week. His kids went from the
cradle to junior high and he missed it all. He knows that he's squandering
his life and they'll fire him as soon as he dies or becomes a drag on their
group health insurance policy or they can find a new stooge to do his job
for 10% less. He knows that and he admits that but says he can't afford to
quit because right now the money is too good and he has to make the payments
on three new cars, a remodeled house, a new boat, and very expensive
furniture. He willingly signed the bill of sale condemning him and his wife
to slavery. On the top of the document condemning him to slavery it is
written - "Loan Application".
It was such a pleasure to be around thirty-some people this weekend who
simply enjoyed meeting interesting people. No beer, no radios, no canned
entertainment. One of the attendees said, as he was leaving, that he wished
we were doing this every weekend. Says he hadn't seen that many sparkling
eyes in years.
Me either.
TA
Recap of the Spring 2005
"Knowledge Swap" at Tony's Homestead
Hey Jeff,
Had about 30 folks - very eclectic group. From poor college students (one
with a bone thru his nose) to the owner of Jefferson Island. Quite an
interesting, civil group. Lot's of eyes that sparkle.
Biodiesel was made in a barrel with a trolling motor because the "Appleseed
Processor" wasn't quite ready. Made about 7 gallons. Last I saw the makers
were taking it back to Lafayette to sit overnight.
Had Dr. Paul Olivier do his presentation of Rice Hull Houses. Need very
little or no mechanical AC. So well insulated a 1 ton mini split ductless
AC can keep the place cool and dehumidified running two to three hours a
day. Today Paul's temperature differential was 71 degrees inside to 91
degrees outside. He hasn't ruin the AC at all this year. His home is in
Washington Louisiana and I'm sure he'd would be very happy to show it to you
if you'd like.
We're talking about doing it again in the fall - the 2005 Fall Knowledge
Swap. Probably build a Wind Generator from a servo motor and and erect a 70
foot tower. We'll let you know.
Here's the link to Paul's rice hull house:
http://www.esrla.com/shotgun/frame.htm
--------> Spring
2005 Knowledge Swap <---------
Who: Interested people of all ages are invited to participate and ask
questions at our first spring Knowledge Swap. Presenters are four
Louisiana residents who have agreed to present “hands-on” workshops in
practical skills and techniques that foster self sufficiency.
What: Four practical skills & knowledge workshops featuring informal
hands-on sessions emphasizing results in interesting topics.
When: Sunday May 15, 2005, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: Mary’s & Tony’s Opelousas/Leonville Off-Grid house (directions on
right side of document).
How: Presentations will be outside for the most part. Casual clothing,
umbrellas, & boots are encouraged. Photographs and questions are encouraged.
How Much?: Admission price is curious and open minds. Children's minds count
for two.
Schedule:
10 AM - 11 AM - Beginning Bee Keeping
John Munson - “Munson’s Noah’s Outpost”
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM - Hands On Arc Welding
Joe Bartholomey- 30 years experience, fabricated off-grid house
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM - Affordable, Shotgun House Construction
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM - Black Soldier Fly Composting
Dr. Paul Olivier - Engineering, Separation, & Recycling, LLC.
1:45 PM - 3:00 PM - Whomping up a batch of Bio-Diesel
Marcus Melder & Adam Cohen - Founding members of the Washington
Louisiana sustainable, Intentional Community currently in-utero.
Refreshments:
Cold, filtered rainwater will be provided. Food is not currently planned so
please bring whatever you would like to eat. If you’d like to bring extra
for others that is encouraged.
Directions From Lafayette:
From I-49 towards Opelousas. Exit Judson Walsh and go right on Country
Ridge Road - behind the Texaco station. Continue on Country Ridge until it
runs in Highway 31 at Mack’s Engine Exchange. Go Right on Highway 31 for two
miles. When you see Tom Schexnayder road stay on Hwy. 31 but start slowing
down. About ½ mile after Tom Schexnayder start looking way
back to the right. You’ll see a silver tin roof way back there. That’s our
roof. On the right when you see a light tan-brown camper by the road. Go
right on the gravel driveway in front of the camper. The camper should have
a “Private Property” sign on it. The driveway is 6,250 feet to the house. We
have a gray mailbox with the address 5561 Hwy 31 painted on it.
Directions From Alexandria:
From I-49 south exit Creswell and go left under I-49. Continue past
Wal-Mart. When you get to Hwy 31 go right. On Hwy 31 go about 5 miles.
When you see Tom Schexnayder road stay on Hwy 31 but start slowing down.
About ½ mile after Tom Schexnayder start looking way back to the right.
You’ll see a silver tin roof way back there. That’s our roof. On the right
when you see a light tan-brown camper by the road. Go right on the gravel
driveway in front of the camper. The camper should have a “Private Property”
sign on it. The driveway is 6,250 feet to the house. We have a gray mailbox
with the address 5561 Hwy 31 painted on it.
Note: Scheduled times are somewhat fluid. We will try to stick to the times
but emphasis is on informal learning. Please bring boots and an umbrella.
Our driveway is long and rough in some places but passable even when
extremely wet. If you would like to participate in the welding session
please bring a baseball-type hat, pants with no cuffs (preferably jeans),
and a long sleeved shirt. If welding clothing should be of a sacrificial
nature. Please - no dogs, we already have too many on-site. It will probably
be a long, hot day, swimming in the pond is OK and clothing is optional.
Accidents, injuries, weapons, and serious fighting are prohibited.
Contact Information:
Tony Adrian (337) 277-9538
Address: 5561 Highway 31 Opelousas, LA 70570
nursingdata@msn.com
Some comments on rainwater systems...
1) Eliminate the automated roof washer system.
Just use a tee. When the rain has run off the roof for a while screw
in a cap. After the rain quits unscrew the cap (you might want to
replace the cap with a screen to keep out rats, etc... when not
catching rainwater).
2) Instead of a "Human Approved" UV filter at $300.00+ perhaps a fish
pond UV filter that uses exactly the same bulb, etc.... Costs about
$100.00.
3) Put a piece of 4" PVC inside the cistern for the water inlet.
Cap the PVC & drill a bunch of 3/4" holes along the length of the capped
pipe. Wrap this with AC filter material and secure with hose clamps.
I don't care how well you wash the roof we have so many flying insects that
you WILL contaminate your water. Especially with Love Bugs.
Every now & then open the manhole, pull out the pvc/filter, remove hose
clamps, rinse off.
I might add that (as you well know) Louisiana is VERY protective of its
special interest groups - SIGs. Plumbers and water softener dealers
would have you executed if you did this and it became known (since you are
also connected to the city water). There are sanitation code PDF files
that you can download that gives the regulations and I believe a "licensed"
plumber is required to actually connect anything that directly connects to
the city system. Since you are in BR the city code probably supersedes
the state code. I am not knocking the need for codes it is just that I
want to be careful before alerting the authorities (and therefore the SIGs)
before I get my case together. To that end I am planning on
contacting this guy I know in Texas who was instrumental in getting the
current Texas rainwater regulations approved. Then I was thinking of
contacting a local friend who is a lobbyist/FOC - Friend of Kathleen - and
trying to do an end run around the established SIGs.!
You remember the humbug you went thru for net-metering? Same thing
only probably more complicated & emotional since the potential to
contaminate an entire city's water supply is there.
BTW - if you use rainwater your sewage fee will probably decrease since it
is generally based on water consumption.
Would you drink rainwater??
I asked Tony... Would you drink
rainwater off a traditionally shingled roof that has
plastic leaf guards over copper gutters (as I watch today's rain pour out of
my downspouts onto the ground)?
He said... Here's the advise I
got from Jesse Reich when I asked him the same question (he's a Texas Rainwater
guy)
- let it rain for a good bit to let the sky & roof get clean
- Let some water pour from your gutter into a new mason jar
- Put some plastic wrap over the top, put the lid on
- Send it to one of the sites in Texas that is an authorized water test facility
They'll tell you if there's lead, arsenic, ... If you want I'll look to see if
i have the names of Texas sites and you can contact them RE: prices and what is
tested. Then you'll know. Jesse tells me that unless the refinery is right
next door the biggest problem you'll probably have is probably discolored water
from pollen at certain times of the year. Most of Baton Rouge has pretty soft
water but it'll never come close to rain water.
info@lses.org