[Greenbuilding] Further Thoughts / Re: No Fracking Way?

[JOHN SALMEN]

'natural' gaskets and seals can be effective. Pressed wool felt is still
manufactured for gaskets and seals and can work well for doors and windows.
Oiled fibre (oakum) is good for water resistance allowing for some expansion
and contraction and can be used in combination with felting as a backerrod.
Cork gaskets are excellent and I've used 1/2" cork matts designed for
industrial machines as sill gaskets for posts and beams.

The common thing with 'natural' homes is that openings, penetrations and
connections at roof and floor tend to be poorly detailed if considered at
all. It is a common practice to block openings with rough wooden bucks and
then use those for rigid attachment. It is impossible to control leakage
with that type of connection to a cob or bale structure. You need to look at
flexible connections that key or lap in predictable ways.

Design can minimize the connections so rather than punching numerous holes
in a plaster skin door and window openings can be grouped as a bumpout or
add-on that connect at sides and top. This is a classic feature with
historical structures and preserves the integrity of the wall assembly -
also looks good.

Finally buildings need infiltration and typically you are looking at
allowances for up to 36 sq.in or more of 'natural' infiltration. This is
generally based on air infiltration from doors and opening windows as well
the connections. Minimizing opening windows and penetrations can compensate
well for potential of greater leakage.


-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Corwyn
Sent: April 21, 2011 8:45 AM
To: Frank Cetera; Greenbuilding
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Further Thoughts / Re: No Fracking Way?

On 4/21/2011 10:48 AM, Frank Cetera wrote:
> Hi Corwyn, Thanks for your feedback.
>
> Being off-grid is more of an ideal at this point based upon questions
> that I don't have the answer to, but a sensibility that I would like to
> see realized.

A fine ideal.
>
> For instance, grid transportation of electric results in major losses
> along the lines right?  Does making your own electricity on-site make up
> for those losses?

It depends.  Generally, renewable energy sources are intermittent. 
Which means that you need to store the energy somehow, which has major 
losses.  Of all the methods of storing energy, a net-metering grid 
connection is vastly cheapest, and has a highest (virtual) efficiency. 
So unless you only plan on using energy when the sun is shining or the 
wind blowing, and using all of it, staying tied to the grid is a win.

> An energy audit, unfortunately, won't help me at all as the
> home is a shell that has stood vacant for 4 years, no records of use, no
> internal systems present, major leaks that a blower door test will
> provide no actual information.

A energy analysis of your plans would seem to be your best bet then 
(unless you are capable of doing it yourself)  I have a spreadsheet I 
use in my analysis and audits, that you can use, but it is not a simple 
thing.

> As for natural material air sealing, I really have no idea how to go
> about this other than the fact that I would like to.  I don't see why a
> home cannot be sealed with clay/cob just as a home built from the same
> natural materials in the first place is done so.  I don't reckon that
> many cob built natural homes are using spray foam (though I am sure it
> does get used on occasions)?  Hopefully, I'll have some experiences to
> share over time.

The issue is that dissimilar materials tend to expand and shrink at 
different rates.  Having a cob house is completely different from using 
cob to patch a wood house.  The joints are where failures occur.

Thank You Kindly,

Corwyn

-- 
Topher Belknap
Green Fret Consulting
Kermit didn't know the half of it...
http://www.greenfret.com/
topher at greenfret.com
(207) 882-7652

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