Geothermal Powered House

Sonoma, California

Sonoma, California Allows graywater collection

The GeysersA complex of 22 geothermal power plants located 72 miles north of San Francisco, which is near Sonoma.

Largest geothermal power plants in the world

Direction

The house will face west because of the sun

The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.

Too much sunlight will fade the color of the bamboo flooring.

Geothermal Power Plant

Water and the earth are used to create electricity

It is the same process to create electricity as with fossil fuels, but no fossil fuels are used

3 typesDry steam Flash steamBinary cycle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o6Me3gVXtc&feature=related

General Advantages & Disadvantages

No fossil fuels used

No need to transport

Only admissions are steam and small amounts of gases

Only able to be built on or near tectonic plates

Dry Steam

Hot steam and or water from the ground is routed to a turbine which powers a generator that creates electricity

Flash SteamUses hydrothermal fluids above 360°F

Fluid is put into low pressured tank which causes it to vaporize or “flash”

Vapor→ turbine→ generator→ house

Extras can be “flashed” again

Binary Cycle

Low temperature water is mixed with a secondary fluid (hence binary) and are sent through a heat exchanger which causes the secondary liquid to flash which powers turbines

Binary cycle (continued)

Closed system so produces no waste

New and up and coming more and more of these kind of plants are being built

Tankless instant water heater

Tankless water heaters use natural gas or propane to heat water only when water is neededWhen a faucet is turned on the heater begins to heat water as it passes through a copper heat exchanger84% of the energy as heat is used so it is extremely energy efficient Faucet is turned off and heater also shuts off so uses no phantom power

Tankless instant water heater

The tankless instant water heater replaces a conventional water heater.

Adavntages

Reduces water heating costs

Last longer

Disadvantages

Water flow slows when providing water for more than one appliance

More costly to install

Recycled glass countertops

Advantages Old glass that does not break down is broken into small pieces and mixed with fly ash and concrete which rids the environment of these wastes.They are recyclable.

Disadvantages very expensive to make and install.

It replaces counter tops that are not recyclable.

Graywater Collection

Any washwater that has been used in the home, except water from toilets can be reused for other purposes.

Graywater collection can replace fresh water.

Pipes transport the water from inside to the outside of a house.

Advantages & Disadvantages of graywater collection

AdvantagesLower fresh water use

Less energy & chemical use

DisadvantagesStudies suggest high levels of sodium

PH levels rise

Bamboo Flooring Stalks are cut from thick plant walls, and then boiled in a solution of lime & boric acid.

The solution drives out the starch of the plant which attracts insects that destroy wood.

Bamboo flooring takes the place of hard wood flooring.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Bamboo Flooring

AdvantagesEnvironmentally better than hardwood flooring

Less in cost

Disadvantages Prone to denting/chipping

The color of the floor can fade

L.E.E.D.

Materials and resources- the reusable glass countertops mixes fly ash and prevents it from going into environment.

Water efficiency- tankless instant water heater reuses water

Innovation & design process- the house has many “green” features.

Bibliography

http://lab.dce.harvard.edu/~environment/em1_01_12_05/leed-presentation/LEED%20Innovation%20&%20Design%20Process.html

http://www.bambooflooring.biz/

http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/channels/green_home/38582.aspx

http://www.graywater.net/

http://www.letsgogreen.com/greywater-recycling.html

http://www.geysers.com/