Solar Hot Water and Radiant Heating

Yes, we are still giddy about the new master bathroom, but need to move forward on some of the renewable energy/systems research for our Green Harlem Brownstone renovation. Next up is Solar Hot Water and Heating. (We have some experience with Solar PV for generating electricity, and will cover another time.)

Most people don't realize that you can use solar to heat domestic hot water, as well as use it to heat water for radiant floor systems (which are basically tubes with hot water flowing through them under your floor). One of the most efficient ways to use solar energy is to heat hot water.

Traditionally, a flat-panel type of collector was used - a box with a dark covering that absorbed heat. These systems don't generate heat on cloudy days, and are severely affected by the angle of the sun.

Recently, new technology called evacuated tube solar collectors has reinvigorated the solar hot water industry.

They are a series of glass vacuum tubes with thin strips of heat-absorbing metal inside. They are unaffected by weather (down to -50 degrees) and can have an efficiency rating of 70-80%. Yes, they are a bit more expensive, but can almost double the capacity of a Solar Hot Water system.

There are two leading candidates, SunMaxx and Thermomax. The SunMaxx Solar system costs roughly $3,000 for a 120 gallon a day system. Hopefully that is large enough to offset a good portion of our heat and hot water needs.

Thermomax wants me to "call for pricing" - never a good sign!

During my research, I did find this great article from Mother Earth News in 1979. Can't believe these systems are still seen as bleeding edge... And, btw, NO we're not building our own. Even if it only costs 160 bucks!

UPDATE: Please see the New Solar Incentives Post
[where: 10032] [where: Harlem] [where: Sugar Hill]

Read whole story ...

Brownstone Master Bathroom Suite!

In a previous post (4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms?), we mentioned our struggle to find space for a bathroom and laundry room on the Master Bedroom floor. We were inspired to find an elegant solution by the picture of the original Victorian bathroom we found.

On a recent visit, the Lady of the Manor had an epiphany: why not turn the other bedroom on the 2nd floor into a Master Bathroom Suite?? I, of course, thought it was silly and impractical (which is why I hammer things and she runs the show).

So, we started working on a layout with our architects. After a few passes, we came to what we think is an awesome bathroom renovation, with a fireplace next to the tub. Wahoo. For perspective, this is the back bedroom on the second floor. It's roughly 288 sq ft... Certainly, a worthy bathroom for our classic brownstone!

In keeping with our Green Building principles, we will be re-using one of the claw foot tubs from another bathroom in the house.

original layout (L) and new Master Bathroom Suite (R)

   


[where: 10032][where: Harlem][where: Sugar Hill]

Read whole story ...

victorian bathroom

Thanks to Victorian Crapper for this great, historical image.

As we continue to work out a way to keep our brownstone historically accurate, but also accommodate some contemporary touches, this flash back to what luxury bathrooms once were was a terrific find.

We have decided to take over one of the bedrooms for a big bathroom.  To keep our renovation as "green" as possible - reuse, recycle, reinvent - we will use one of the existing claw foot tubs in the house instead of buying a new one.  Not sure if we will recreate this historically accurate version of bathroom, but it indeed is a great inspiration.



[where: 10032]

Read whole story ...

K/BIS Show - Chicago

Sadly, we did not make it to the K/BIS (Kitchen Bath Industry Show) this year. Everyone who remodels or renovates should go at least once. This year's theme was... yes, you guessed it ... Green Building!

Great to see the industry getting behind the movement, and providing the right products. Sink shown here is 100% recycled cast metal.

Good coverage at Charles and Hudson

Read whole story ...

Go Green Expo

Thanks to Ang for the heads up on the Go Green Expo in April 26 - 27th in NYC & coming soon to LA.

Read whole story ...

4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms?

In the continued mission to restore this brownstone to it's original layout and purpose while creating a contemporary living - today's dilemma:

4 bedroom/ 4 bath dwelling with no real "master bath"

or

3 bedroom /4 bath dwelling with 300 sq foot "master bath"

The 2nd floor of the house has two large bedrooms. The two bedrooms are connected by a two good sized closets and a pocket door between their closets. The original usage had a bedroom for the lady of the house and a bedroom for the master of the house. They gained access to one another's rooms via the pocket doors (how romantic?).

The bathroom on the 2nd floor is small and does not fit the bill as a "master" bath. We have been struggling to find a good layout in that small space.

If we give up one of the big bedrooms (most likely the one in the back) on the second floor, we can:

use the existing small bathroom as laundry room!

gain a 300 square foot bathroom!

We would still have two add'l bedrooms upstairs, as well as a two bathrooms upstairs, and one on main parlor floor.

We love the idea of creating a large master bath. I hear time and again on HGTV shows how important "master bath" is for renting and resale, but am loathe to change the original set up of His and Hers rooms on the 2nd floor. Making this type of a change not only departs from original function, it would mean introducing plumbing, etc into floors and a room which had none = $$.

Ah, to do 4 bedrooms and tiny baths or 3 bedrooms and bring this baby up to big bathroom standards?

 current small bathroom

view of half of back bedroom - new master bath?



UPDATE: we solved it by turning one of the bedrooms into a Master Bathroom Suite!
[where: 10032][where: Harlem][where: Sugar Hill]

Read whole story ...

Update - Wind Power for our Brownstone

We've been trying to find power sources for our Green Brownstone Renovation: Wind + Solar PV + Solar Thermal (hot water). See Wind Power for our Brownstone.

Ellen, our LEED-certified Architect had a follow-up conversation with Ken Morgan at Helix Wind, and learned that they are not suggesting installation of their innovative wind turbine on older homes (our is 100 years old) due to the possibility of resonant frequencies causing structural damage over time. Argh!

Also, Oregon Wind won't have their product ready until the new year.

That's two options down for us. Am hoping that the Jay Leno-approved PacWind Wind Turbine (pictured here) is a viable alternative. Onward!




[where: 10032][where: Harlem][where: Sugar Hill]

Read whole story ...

Where to find quality LED and CFL Bulbs?

I have a lighting obsession appreciation. I just can't stop trying to find good quality, eco-conscious bulbs. Sadly, most local hardware stores don't carry any and I haven't been happy with the bulbs I've found at Home Depot or Lowes. With all of the lighting needs at the brownstone we're renovating, this has been especially frustrating.

With so many choices, and falling prices, there's no good reason not to switch to LEDs and CFLs for your home. However, the color and temperature of LEDs and Compact Fluorescents is different than what we are used to with traditional incandescents. CFLs tend to be more "yellow" and LEDs more "blue". BUT, you don't find that out until you buy them and bring them home - leaving folks unwilling to try them again.


A great online store I found (through LIPA - Long Island Power Authority) is Energy Federation Incorporated

Energy Federation's store specifies color rendering, temperature and average lumens for every bulb they sell. And get this: they seem really interested in making sure you get the right bulb, rather than just selling them...

I've purchased more than a dozen bulbs/fixtures from them (including this neat LED nightlight) and have always been thrilled with the quality of their products.

Check them out.

UPDATE: See updated post here

[where: 10032][where: Harlem][where: Sugar Hill]

Read whole story ...

Wind Power for our Brownstone

OK, I watched Eco Tech on the Science Channel (pls see previous posts alluding to me being a geek) and watched a bunch of guys in overalls build their own wind turbine that powers their house. Something tells me the NYC Department of Buildings would not be much appreciative of my wind-turbine-building skills...

Nevertheless, I remain intrigued about how to generate power, any kind of power, for our building. We have some experience with Solar PV (will be discussed later) and I'd love to be able to supplement that with a wind turbine. First things first, our architect Ellen Honigstock is a LEED Accredited Professional and she turned us on to the MyWatts Estimator. This tool gives you a Google map overlay with wind and solar exposure information, charts what your energy generating potential is and details the current state or federal incentives in place. Very Cool!

As you can see, we're just on the edge of the "Average" rating for the average wind speed/consistency. Not great, but if it's just as a supplement to Solar PV, should be worthwhile to explore. To me, any power generation is a good thing.

Next step is to find a wind turbine that doesn't look like a man and bird killing Cuisinart. And that wasn't easy. Just like rain barrels, aesthetics seem to be lagging a bit in Green Products. With some work, we found a number of interesting options:

1. Helix Wind - my favorite


2. Oregon Wind - in prototype only


3. Renewable Devices - eh


4. PacWind - Jay Leno approved

I rang up Ken Morgan, at Helix Wind. I was promptly deflated when he told me that the product wasn't yet nationally certified. That means no rebates, and most importantly, no permission to grid-tie it to Con Ed. Argh. Looks like #4, PacWind Seahawk is our best bet. Pricing to come...

UPDATE: see Update - Wind Power for our Brownstone
[where: 10032][where: Harlem][where: Sugar Hill]

Read whole story ...