07-14-2008, 08:53 AM
I am bringing this comment over from a different thread. Apologies to those who have already read it.
I know people in Eden Rock with solar water heaters whose biggest problem with their system, even in the winter, is getting the water cool enough. Likewise, when we lived in Oregon many people we knew had solar water preheater systems supplemented by demand gas heaters. Even on the foggiest, coldest, darkest days (Oregon in November is pretty damn foggy, cold and dark) their gas heater rarely kicked in. Well insulated storage of the hot water and a good thermostatically controlled mixing system are the key. The Copper Cricket was a great solar hot water heater which is unfortunately no longer on the market.
There is a non profit called Aprovecho who developed a super efficient wood cooking system which is easily made with materials readily available in developing countries. They distribute the technology through workshops where they teach people how to build the stoves themselves, the trainees then take that knowledge back to their villages. Many of the beneficiaries are women who used to spend most of their days walking ever longer distances to find wood.
Carol
I know people in Eden Rock with solar water heaters whose biggest problem with their system, even in the winter, is getting the water cool enough. Likewise, when we lived in Oregon many people we knew had solar water preheater systems supplemented by demand gas heaters. Even on the foggiest, coldest, darkest days (Oregon in November is pretty damn foggy, cold and dark) their gas heater rarely kicked in. Well insulated storage of the hot water and a good thermostatically controlled mixing system are the key. The Copper Cricket was a great solar hot water heater which is unfortunately no longer on the market.
There is a non profit called Aprovecho who developed a super efficient wood cooking system which is easily made with materials readily available in developing countries. They distribute the technology through workshops where they teach people how to build the stoves themselves, the trainees then take that knowledge back to their villages. Many of the beneficiaries are women who used to spend most of their days walking ever longer distances to find wood.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb