Green Plumbing: Australia 2

Along with Austrailia's dedication to water conservation comes an industry of green plumbing and water saving products. Here are some interesting Austrailian products I have found:

An alternative to rain barrels and underground cisterns.
The Waterfall: Modular Water Storage System

Green Plumbing: Australia

In searching for green plumbing related information around the internets I started to realize something. I realized that there were places around the world that are far ahead of the US in the green building movement. Even though Portland is considered a leader in green building in the US, you would be hard pressed to find a green plumber. In fact, this year's ReDirect Guide, a regional guide to environmentally friendly businesses in the Pacific Northwest, has only one green plumber listed. I'm sure there are some more out there. They are just not that common.

Australia seems like the place to be if you are a green plumber. Apparently, Australia is one of the driest areas in the world and is in the midst of the second worst drought it's seen since 1900. However, the population has the third largest per capita usage of water in the world. This puts them in a bit of a pinch.

One of the ways Australia is reacting to their water problems is through widespread adoption of green plumbing practices. Here's what Wikipedia says about the current drought , "The current drought has changed the way Australia treats its water resources. Because of the long-term effects of the drought now showing, many state governments are attempting to "drought-proof" their states with more permanent solutions... Now schemes like Grey-water water-recycling, government rebates for home-owners to install water tanks, and tougher restrictions on industries have come into effect."

MICROCHP - Combined heat and Power Units

Combined heat and power units. Sounds futuristic. And it is. It describes a new kind of furnace very similar to the one you use to heat your house. However, it does much more than that. It is a mini power plant for your house that can provide electricity during the winter months as well as heat your home.

Just like a coal, oil or nuclear power plant the Microchp gives off heat as it generates electricity. Instead of releasing that extra heat out into the atmosphere and rivers, like a traditional power plant, it captures the heat and uses it to heat the house. Why didn't some one think of this before?

Here are some links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroCHP
http://www.climate-energy.com/micro-chp.asp
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1114/p01s02-usec.html

Northwest Solar Expo 2006

I attended the Northwest Solar Expo 2006 at the Oregon Convention Center on Saturday. It was a good intro to solar. Much of it was over my head, but what I did get out of it was, I think, quite valuable. Currently we are focused on thinking about the direction to go with this Green Plumbing idea. The most relevant workshop at the expo was a presentation on solar hot water heating. Solar hot water systems are apparently not too difficult to install. According to the presenter from Cascade Sun Works these systems are the "low hanging fruit" of the solar energy world for homeowners.

• solar hot water heater is one of the most common first steps to using solar in a residential setting.

• it is a fairly simple system to install. possible for the home owner to do himself.

• it will last 20+ years with regular maintenance

• you will recoup the cost in about 6 years

• it is the most cost effective solar system for your home (most "bang for your buck")

• reduces dependance on other sources of energy (gas/electric)

• State and federal tax breaks and tax credits

• Closed loop glycol system was most efficient and less prone to problems. More attractive/less obtrusive solution.

Links:

Solar Hot Water: A Primer:
http://www.azsolarcenter.com/technology/solarh20.html

Docs on draindown systems:
http://search.nrel.gov/query.html?col=eren&qc=eren&style=eere&qm=1&si=0&ht=815081754&ct=1403524161

Green Plumbing

What the heck is "Green Plumbing"?

That's a good question. We will use this blog to explore the answer to that question.