The Terra Berma Project – Sustainable Off Grid Living- BE, GT, SE
Along the tip of the Kingston Peninsula, the Terra Berma Project is a sustainable living project that demonstrates off-grid living doesn’t need mean compromising comfort. Constructed over 5 years using primarily using recycled tires and cob (a natural building material made from subsoil, water, some kind of fibrous organic material), the home was built out from the side of a hill using rammed earth techniques. The combination of building materials and lack of exposed walls means that the house is very well insulated. Ceiling insulation comes from a green roof, on the top of the split-story. The hill faces south …
Manure & Food Waste in St. André- BE
The Laforge Holstein plant is a biomass system set on 400 hectares (1000 acres) of land that uses organic materials such as potato peels, fries, pizza dough and tomato sauce, mixed with manure and chicken grease residue for biodigestion (anaerobic decomposition). The system has 2 mixing tanks that hold the organic material: tank 1 is used as an energy source and tank 2 is used as a protein source. These tanks are linked to the biodigester using a regular feeding schedule run by a computer program that is linked to all the machinery. The ideal pumping ratio of organic material or feed …
Crossfire Masonry Heater in Woodstock- BE
The owner built the fireplace around an existing home; he says it would have been much easier to build the house around the fireplace. The owner went from 5 cords of hardwood to burning 2 cords of soft wood and scraps, but in addition to the house was also completed during the same time period. Because the heat lasts for so long, less time/labour is spent filling the fireplace with wood. The owner decided that a masonry heater would best suit his needs, after looking at several different types they decided on the Crossfire 950-kg (2100-lb.) insert (Model number CF-2100-BO). …
Biomass Combined with Oil at Bathurst Chaleur Regional Hospital- BE
One large boiler will soon be on line to produce 98% of the annual hospital energy needs (including heating and cooling) using biomass as the energy source. The boiler will produce steam for the production of electricity. On normal months it is expected there will be a small net surplus of power that, through net metering, can be returned to the grid. This will result in virtually a self-sustaining facility at a much-reduced cost. This boiler replaces three older boilers. An oil-fired boiler can be used as a backup during a shutdown for maintenance and cleaning. Innovative funding for this …
Biomass in Port Elgin- BE
The owner decided to install this type of stove instead of a wood stove because the wood pellets were made from wood industry by-products. However the pellets she purchases now are made from whole trees. In comparison to a wood stove, the pellets appear to be dustier. And the pellets also create more waste because they are delivered in plastic bags. The owner burns 140 bags per year to keep her 140 squared metres home heated. The stove requires little attention, other than keeping the stove hopper full, every 24 hrs and cleaning the ash out ever week. Fire ash …
Geothermal in Burtts Corner- GT, BE
After the first winter, the owners wanted to reduce their energy bills. The first winter cost them $4,200 with an oil furnace. After the installation of the water source heat pump their heating bills dropped to $1,100 a year, even after adding over 305 square metres of living space and cooling in the summer. The owner was told that his well would have sufficient flow to meet the 18 litres/minute the heat pump needed. When the heat pump was first started it ran the well dry so they had to drill the well down another 9 metres (total depth of …
Passive Solar in Knowlesville- BE, PE
This family lived off-grid for a number of years, relying on batteries and a generator for their electricity, and learning how to conserve it. It was found that this was fairly high-maintenance and, as the home owner aged, it was decided to get grid electricity to help meet some of the lighting, appliance, and computer/internet needs. …
Earth Berm Home with Masonry Heater in Mazerolle Settlement- BE
This 110 m2 (1200 sq. ft.), 2-bedroom home was built with energy efficiency in mind. The owner constructed the home within the specifications of R-2000, which was difficult because local contractors were unfamiliar with this at the time of construction (1984). The home was very air tight and well insulated. It was built 1.2 m (4′) into the ground, so as to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter (though it has higher humidity as a result) — the owners find it very comfortable to live in. …
Passive Solar Home with Masonry Heater in French Lake- BE, PS
This passive solar, 232 m2 (2500 sq. ft.) home is located on a scenic, south facing slope. It is located on 2.0 hectares (5 acres) of waterfront property, facing the Saint John River and a lake. The home has lots of natural light, with each room receiving direct natural light at some point in the year. Though it gets too hot in the late summer at times, which is why they have added curtains to some of the south facing windows, they find it very comfortable the rest of the year. They have put their bedroom in the basement, which is comfortable year round. They …
Finnish Masonry Heater in St. Andrews- BE
Built in 2000, this home was constructed with comfort and efficiency in mind. The home is well insulated, has an in-floor heating system (heated by instant hot water) as the primary heating source, and sourced local and recycled wood for the construction. It has cork and finished concrete in the basement as well. …
