he following Sustainable features have been designed into the Concept Yurt: Solar heated hot water generation

n using highly efficient Heat Pipe collectors mounted directly onto the roof panels. Sufficient hot water would be stored inside the utility room, under the Yurt structure at ground level. Sufficient to provide a minimum of 200 litres of hot water per day. Reduction of Electrical power consumption using LED lighting that consumes 15 times less energy, compared to the traditional tungsten lights. Guidance will also be provided on other types of electrical appliances that con be used to reduce energy consumption. Electrical Renewable Energy generation - Photovoltaic (PV) panels have been designed into the roof, that will lay and supported directly by the roof panels. The number of panels will be assessed to the potential energy consumption required by the occupants, for example 460W.hours of energy would be sufficient to provide 21 hours of lighting daily, throughout the Yurt structure. The electrical systems would be separated into Alternating current (AC) and Direct current (DC) circuits, DC being used for lighting and pump systems. A backup or heavy load electrical energy source should be provided, from a local secondary generating system such as a generator, using conventional fuel or Biomass. The capacity of the backup system would be sized from the number of Yurts constructed, all linked by a local grid. Reduction of Water consumption by using appliances that use less water and recycling grey water for reuse. All water taps shall have spray heads, hot water pre-mixed to a usable temperature and the negligible use of water for use to flush the toilet. On the assumption of the occupants using bio gradable clean agents 100% of the grey waste water can be reused for agricultural consumption. We have estimated that a family of 3 would consume approximately 400 litres per day, of which 380 litres would be available for agricultural use. Additional water would depend on type/number of animals kept and agriculture grown. No Sewage containment and treatment required - which has risks to pollute the water source if the required infrastructure is not correctly maintained. A modern designed compost toilet has been designed into the Yurt bathroom, with no noticeable difference to a conventional toilet. The difference occurs in using 45 times less water and no waste drainage infrastructure. The solid waste is naturally dried and reduced in volume, without smells. The processing unit is emptied twice a year with a minimal of inconvenience and work, to be safely disposed of locally. Sorting of rubbish to enable recycling and composting of bio gradable waste using a simple process of separation in the Kitchen. The smell free process would allow for the separation into different containers (Glass, Metal, Plastic, Paper and Composting), stored below the Yurt. Materials used in the construction of the Yurt provides a large percentage of potentially recyclable material. The steel structure is 100% recyclable, with added advantage of using a minimal of transportation (with related carbon footprint), when compared to traditional construction systems. Design provides good natural light from the Cupola, giving the occupants a positive living environment, in addition to reducing to a minimal of time the use of artificial light (electrical energy). The openable windows in the Cupola provide passive cooling characteristics by inducing movement of air through the Yurt interior during hot days.

Deciduous trees should be planted around the Yurt structures to provide shading during the summer months. Other advantages would be a reduction in soil erosion and providing wind breaks. All the external panels for the roof, floor and walls should have a good level of thermal Insulation, provided by the 80 mm thick rigid insulation inside the Sandwich panel components. Local food production is an important agenda in a Sustainable Urbanisation, as the basic diet requirements can fulfilled by the occupants around each Yurt complex. The use of IT technology, such as the Internet, throughout the Urbanisation would be beneficial for Communication, Metering, Electrical Load Balancing, Education and support local Industry & Services.

FINISHES & MATERIALS

Roof Components: Concept - Metal skinned sandwich panel (steel sheet, rigid polystyrene insulation 80mm thick, and plaster board dry-lining). The sandwich panel could have a thin film PV electrical generation film glued to top surface, instead of PV panel modules. Speed of fabrication is partly due to the panels being assembled horizontally at ground level, in a workshop environment. Alternatives - could be local fabricated using a thatched roof or other local hybrid solutions, as long as they are light weight, therefore use of ceramic tiles is not advantageous.

Wall Components: Concept Sandwich panels made from 80mm thick thermal Insulation, covered by Plaster board dry-lining (interior side) and Marine plywood (exterior side). Alternatives The exterior side of the sandwich panel can be covered in a synthetic screed therefore painted or in natural stone. Optional Panel Infill Each identical wall structure panel can be finished with different options. Double door glazing i.e. Patio doors Fully in filled by Sandwich panel, with or without window. Fully in filled by Sandwich panel with aperture for Entrance door Linkage Corridor between Yurts. Floor Sub structure:

Concept Sandwich Panel panels made from 50mm thick thermal Insulation, covered on both sides with Marine Plywood. Screwed to Floor steel lattice structure. Alternatives Underfloor heating tubing could be installed on Panel Layer.

Interior wall & ceiling finish: Concept Both surfaces shall be Plaster board, which is painted a light colour to enable natural light reflection from the Cupola and Perimeter glazing. Areas of the Bathroom walls shall require to be covered in Ceramic Tiles. Alternatives A Ply wood could be used or other wood finish, as shown in the pictures below.

Windows: Doors: Concept All internal and Entrance doors are wooden. Ground level storage and Plant room door is made out of metal for additional security. Alternatives Plant room door could be made out of steel to provide additional security. Concept Wood framed windows were assumed, which could be fabricated locally Alternatives Non PVC alternatives, such as Aluminium or Polyolefin

Floor Finish: Concept Single floor Yurt would have a mixture of laminated and ceramic tile floors throughout. The Mezzanine floor of the double storey Yurt would be in laminated wood. Alternatives If local manufactured materials are available these could be used.

Public Health: Concept Polypropylene pipework for Plumbing and drainage; Grey water collection tank directly under floor therefore gravity fed to ground level outlets; Toilet compost system with vent reduction unit; Bathroom has Basin and Wet Room Shower; Kitchen Sink; All taps are spray outlet; Hot water temperature premixed from Plant Room.

Mechanical Services: Concept Solar thermal heat pipe collectors installed directly onto south facing roof; 200 litres Hot water storage cylinder; Hot & Cold Water gravity fed; Grey water irrigation pre-filtered; Rubbish separation design. Alternatives A solar assisted Heat Pump could be installed to provide Under floor heating if required.

Electrical Services: Concept - Photovoltaic panels capacity 410Wp, roof mounted; 14.4kW.hr Battery electrical storage capacity; All lighting uses LED technology. Depending on the location a small wind turbine could be used to work in parallel with the PV panels. A Standby 5 kW generator would also be installed to automatically recharge the batteries if required or provide direct power to appliances with AC motors, such as a washing machine.

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elcome to Life Unplugged, your guide to living off grid with alternative energy on the modern homestead. It is not necessary to give up all modern conveniences to reduce your
carbon footprint when you utilize alternative energy and green building techniques. Passive solar design coupled with straw bale, cob, cordwood, or earthbag construction can yield an efficient, comfortable, and green built structure for your homestead. Solar panels and wind turbines are tried and true forms of alternative energy, but new technologies such as geothermal, micro hydro, and bio-diesel offer additional flexibility to power your off grid homestead. Explore our collection of articles covering new and old technologies that are sure to be of use in your modern homesteading adventure

Generate Electricity with a Wind Turbine

Wind energy is the fastest-growing source of energy in the United States. Clean and relatively inexpensive wind turbines harness the energy in wind and are an attractive option for those looking for an alternative way to power their homestead

Benefits of Solar Water Heaters

Utilizing solar energy to meet your water heating needs is one of the most economical ways to implement alternative energy on your homestead. Solar water heaters are can function in nearly any climate and are a great solution for people living off grid

We define Alternative Energy as any environmentally responsible source of power, heat, or electricity that be used to support an off grid homestead. Solar panels, wind turbines, micro hydro, and geothermal energy are all covered, and we are working to include additional bio diesel, hydrogen, and other recent alternative energy developments. Living in an off grid homestead doesnt mean you cant enjoy modern conveniences thanks to alternative energy sources. Learn how to build a wind turbine or micro hydro generator in future articles right here at Life Unplugged, your guide to living off grid on a modern homestead. If you are living off grid, please share your story with us!

Basics of Micro Hydro Electricity - Only a small percentage of parcels are suitable fo micro hydro installation. But if you have an adequate change of elevation and sufficient water flow, micro hydro may be the most efficient and cost effective way to power your homestead.

Basic Components and Design of a Solar Panel Installation - Photovoltaic solar pane may have been designed to power satellites, but their ability to safely and affordably generate electricity makes them a great solution for powering an off-grid homestead. Le how to evaluate your site and what to consider before planning your solar panel installation.

Lister Diesel - Power Up Your Homestead with a Blast from the Past - If you live o grid and require large amounts of power, it's difficult to escape the need for a generator. This doesnt mean that you need to run out and buy an inexpensive but loud and gasguzzling generator consider the power, reliability, and efficiency of a Lister diesel engin

Make Charcoal at Home for the Best Barbeque - Most Americans are familiar with bags of formed charcoal briquettes, but did you know that lump unprocessed charcoal is available alternative? Charcoal is made by heating wood, which drives out moisture and gasses until carbon is the primary element remaining
The future of household lighting will soon be the wide spread adoption and use of white energy efficient LED light bulbs. Though the present market for finished white LED products is geared mainly towards enthusiasts and early-adopters, the efficiency and cost effectiveness of LED lighting systems will drive demand for more affordable LED lights. Opto-electronics is an exciting area and we predict, that in the near future, white LED lighting applications will be powerful and cheap enough to replace incandescent lighting for everyday use in our homes and offices.

Advantages of LED Lights

The operational life of current white LED lamps is 100,000 hours. This is 11 years of continuous operation, or 22 years of 50% operation. The long operational life of an led lamp is a stark contrast to the average life of an incandescent bulb, which is approximately 5000 hours. If the lighting device needs to be embedded into a very inaccessible place, using LEDs would virtually eliminate the need for routine bulb replacement. There is no comparison between the cost of LED lights vs. traditional incandescent options. With incandescent bulbs, the true cost of the bulb is the cost of replacement bulbs and the labor expense and time needed to replace them. These are significant factors, especially where there are a large number of installed bulbs. For office buildings and skyscrapers, maintenance costs to replace bulbs can be enormous. These issues can all be virtually eliminated with the LED option. The key strength of LED lighting is reduced power consumption. When designed properly, an LED circuit will approach 80% efficiency, which means 80% of the electrical energy is converted to light energy. The remaining 20% is lost as heat energy. Compare that with incandescent bulbs which operate at about 20% efficiency (80% of the electrical energy is lost as heat). In real money terms, if a 100 Watt incandescent bulb is used for 1 year, with an electrical cost of 10 cents/kilowatt hour, $88 will be spent on electricity costs. Of the $88 expense, $70 will have been used to heat the room, not light the room. If an 80% efficient LED system had been used, the electricity cost would be $23 per year - there would be a cost savings of $65 on electricity during the year. Realistically the cost savings would be higher as most incandescent light bulbs blow out within a year and require replacements whereas LED light bulbs can be used easily for a decade without burning out. Our white LED lights currently come in packages which contain 36 or 48 LED lamps and can be adapted for use with any power supply or casing. Our clusters allow for conversion to operate from all common caving batteries, e.g. FX5/Kirby pack down to two AA cells, in case portability is needed. We have produced a seven-LED cluster light source as an alternative to low wattage light bulbs and a possible portable light source. The main limitation to the adoption of white LED lighting as a lighting standard is the current high cost of led bulbs. Although the cost keeps going down, LED light bulbs are still expensive. A single AC bulb (17 LED), replacing a 25 watt incandescent, will cost about $40. Although LED's are expensive, the cost is recouped over time and in energy cost savings. Factor in that it is significantly cheaper to maintain led lights, the best value comes from commercial use where maintenance and

replacement costs are expensive. Traffic lights and outdoor signs, for example, are being switched over to LED's in many cities. Smaller arrays, such as those in flashlights, headlamps and small task lights are great for specialty and outdoor use. LED based automotive headlights are current being used in high end luxury cars.
LED stands for light-emitting diode and is a still-developing technology that may some day completely replace the incandescent bulb for lighting purposes. LEDs are commonly used in traffic lights and Christmas lights because of their long lifespan and low electricity requirements. LED bulbs are also very responsive and can light up to full brightness within microseconds. Read more: What Are the Advantages of Using LED Lights? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5551861_advantages-using-led-lights.html#ixzz1C6k9lX3W
General Photons LED product families include Task Lamb, Home Light, Automation and LED bulbs, the high quality LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices devices. Our solutions are human friendly such as

Flicker free Spot free No Radiation No UV &IR Safety UL compliance