Renewable energy projects, including a combined heat and power system
using a 50 year old diesel engine running on waste vegetable oil.
Also under evaluation are some evacuated tube solar water heating panels
obtained at moderately low cost from China.
Below is a summary of what I have been up to in 2005.
These and other projects I am currently working on can be found elsewhere
on this site - accessed from my Homepage
Although it is nice to fully integrate the renewable technologies into the
fabric of the property, sometimes if it comes to selling or renting out the
property, the specialist systems can be something of a burden to potential
new residents,
From the outset, I planned the improvements to include a standard gas fired
condensing boiler and conventional central heating system, with the
renewable provided as a "take it or leave it " package.
Insulated heating pipes link the house with the new shed, so that the house
can either provide heating to the satellite shed, or when the Lister engine
CHP system becomes available, it can provide heat and power for the
house. The pipes are connected to the heating system by isolating gate
valves, so that the shed can be run as an autonomous unit without affecting
the house.
Next year we will invest in additional solar water heating following this
year's trial, and install the two panels on the front (SW facing) roof of the
house.
afternoon sunshine. The roof is 100 years old and needs
replacing as a matter of priority. We hope to do this next
season when we proceed with a loft conversion. Solar panels
and Velux roof lights are intended.
A 20 tube Navitron solar water heater panel being tested in the garden.
This provides sufficient hot water for showering and bathing during the
summer months. Available from Sustainable Technology Ltd, Maidstone,
Kent. Tel. 01622 843068
passageway. The extension greatly improves the standard
of insulation in the cold north facing quarter of the
house.
New windows were added in the passageway to improve
light in the living room area. The gable wall faces northwest
and is in shade for most of the day.
Windows that face from south east to south west will receive the
majority of the direct sunlight. This is often reflected in house design
where southerly windows are large and those towards the north are kept
as small as possible. This is the case with Monson Road, the two from
windows face south west and are 2m x 1.3m in size.
If possible, downstairs rooms fitted with south facing windows should
have solid insulated floors to act as a large thermal mass to absorb as
much of the incident solar radiation as possible. In summer these rooms
may become uncomfortably hot and stuffy, but could be fitted with
blinds to reduce the sunlight or with a ducted ventilation system to
circulate hot air from near the ceiling replacing it with cooler air from the
other rooms.
If the back of the house faces south, then there are options for solar
porches or conservatories, which help to preheat the air in winter and
the cooler spring and autumn months.
Solar Water Heating.
This has been around for about 30 years now and is a mature
technology. Low cost DIY kits from China have recently appeared on
the market, using evacuated tubes. Kits for a 2m2 panel of 20 tubes
now start at around £400, and a DIY installation can be done for a total
of about £600. Available from Sustainable Technology Ltd, Maidstone,
Kent. Tel. 01622 843068 and ask for John!
On fine days from April to October, such a system will heat a 110 litre
tank of water to around 65 degrees C and may be sufficient to allow
you to minimise your boiler usage.
Other Renewables
Whilst solar water heating is a practical possibility on most private
homes, wind power generally is not. Photovoltaic panels are also
available but are still very expensive and unlikely to replace the power
drawn from the grid.
A more practical proposition is to consider fitting a woodstove with
accompanying water heating jacket. Whilst this may not entirely
replace your gas or oil fired central heating, it will reduce your total
dependency on fossil fuels, by perhaps as much as 50% during the
winter months.
Woodstoves require a fair amount of effort in collecting suitable
firewood, lighting, and cleaning, but if you are prepared to work at it, it
could save a fortune in gas at a time when gas prices are rising sharply.
vegetable oil. It can produce 2kWh of electricity from just a
litre of waste vegetable oil.
Early tests on the Lister CS 5/1 6hp engine running on
rapeseed oil. Manufactured in 1950 for use on remote
farms, this generator set will provide all of the electricity and
much of the heat needed in my sustainable home.
1 litre of vegetable oil will provide 2kWh of electricity and
between 8 and 10kWh of waste heat.
It will be run for a few hours per day in the winter time and
contribute to the general heating of the house and workshop.
The extension uses underfloor heating underneath a large
slab of concrete, and this is plumbed directly into the waste
heat output of the Lister engine.
A 200 litre water tank also acts as a 16kWh heat store and
is to be supplied from the Lister, the woodstove and the
solar water heating panel.
I had long been promising myself a proper new shed to
provide extra office space, away from the interruptions of
the house, and allowing us to use our back bedroom once
again.
The shed is 16' x 10' or 4.87m x 3.05m and is made from
19mm shiplap board on a substantial wooden frame,
making it very heavy duty.
It has a wooden floor, which is then insulated with 25mm
of polystyrene, the 18mm water resistant tongue and
groove chipboard, then carpet tiles.
I have lined the walls with 10mm oriented strand board
(OSB) and filled the cavities with 50mm of rockwool
insulation batts.
The ceiling is 9mm plasterboard with 100mm of rockwool
behind it.
The shed has been used for storing the kitchen units when
we were waiting (weeks) for them to be fitted. It allowed
us to empty a room at a time so that we could proceed
with the building work.
In the Autumn it will be cleared out and used as my office
and hideaway.
Custom built to meet my specification by Gabriels Sheds,
Marsh Green Road, Edenbridge, Kent. Tel: 01732
868197.
The cost of the basic shed is about £10 per square foot.
DIY lining and insulation £250, concrete shed base £250.
Here is the new shed under construction that has added much needed additional
storage space, and being fully insulated can be used as an office all the year
around. Size 16' x 10 '
At a time when domestic energy prices are rising rapidly, it is time to consider renewable alternatives, which are now becoming cost effective
add-ons to existing systems.
Low cost solar water heating is now available with systems being imported from China.
A woodstove with a backboiler for use in the autumn and winter months, is the perfect complement to the solar water heating, and with some
thought can share system components like tanks, pumps and plumbing. Both of these will make a significant impact on the amount of fossil
fuel being consumed.
Energy can be conserved with very little loss to overall comfort. The simplest way is to make use of modern thermostats and timeswitches,
and learn how to set them to minimise consumption and at the same time maximise home comfort.
Avoid having to heat water or rooms using electricity, this consumes 4 times the overall energy compared to burning a fuel (oil or gas)
directly in a boiler. Cheap rate night-time electricity is for the convenience of the power companies - NOT for yours!
Make full use of insulation in lofts, ceilings and walls. It is obligatory for new build construction. Grants may be available for existing
properties.
Renewable energy projects may qualify for a grant from the Clear Skies Initiative funded by the DTI in the UK.
Embracing renewable energy technologies now will put you at the head of the pack - do not wait to just follow the herd!
