Bubble Wrap Window Insulation

December 3, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Insulation, Random, Windows

bubble wrap window insulation

“This is a simple technique for insulating windows with bubble wrap packing material. Bubble wrap is often used to insulate greenhouse windows in the winter, but it also seems to work fine for windows in the house. The view through the bubble wrapped window is fuzzy, so don’t use it on windows where you need a clear view. But, it does let plenty of light through.”

“The bubble wrap has a short payback in cold climates. About 2 months for single glazed windows, and half a heating season for double glazed windows. For an 7000 degree day climate (northern US), and single glazed windows, the bubble wrap increases the R value from about R1 to about R2. This cuts the heat loss from the window in half.” Read more.

Pedal Powered Un-Knitting Machine

November 30, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Clothes, Pedal power, Pedal powered machines, Random, Wool

pedal powered un-knitting machine

“A highly unusual bicycle, designed to help recycle unwanted woollen clothes, unravels any clothing item back into its pre-knitted form. It has been selected as one of the best student design projects of 2012 by the British National Centre for Craft and Design.”

“The un-knitting machine is based on pedal power and built around an old bicycle frame. The un-knitter sits on a chair pedalling and wool passes through steam coming out of a kettle before being collected on a spindle. The machine was designed by Imogen Hedges, a student at Kingston University.” Read more. Via Treehugger.

Related:

Retrofit Measures Can Achieve Energy Savings Comparable to New Replacement Windows

November 26, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Insulation, Random, Windows

window retrofit strategies

“Growing interest in improving the energy efficiency of residential buildings inevitably raises questions about what to do with existing windows. Homeowners often assume that replacing older, leaky windows is the only way to save energy, an assumption actively promulgated and reinforced by companies selling replacement windows and by the availability of federal tax incentives for installing new, high performance windows.”

“The confusion is often compounded by a lack of easily accessible information on the range of window improvement options available and the ability of these options to provide meaningful energy savings.”

“This study examines multiple window improvement options, comparing the relative energy, carbon, and cost savings of various choices across multiple climate regions. Results of this analysis demonstrate that a number of existing window retrofit strategies come very close to the energy performance of high-performance replacement windows at a fraction of the cost.”

“Saving Windows, Saving Money: Evaluating the Energy Performance of Window Retrofit and Replacement“, Preservation Green Lab, 2012. Via Old House Web.

An Engineering Exploration of Stonehenge

November 11, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: History, Random, Solar

An Engineering Exploration of Stonehenge

The Britons worked out how the heavens move thousands of years before the Greeks started thinking about it. That is, in a nutshell, the story of engineer and author  Jonathan Morris.

His hypothesis originated from a solar renewable energy concentration system which he developed, using small fixed pieces of flat reflectors.

By chance, he discovered that the structural support of the solar energy system appears to be duplicated at Stonehenge, the enigmatic monument built 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. Every single one of the technical features required are precisely duplicated in size, height, location and orientation at Stonehenge.

Morris outlines his ideas in a novel (“The Broken Stone”) and a technical outline, available via his website: “Heavens’ Henge: A geocentric worldview“.

Rocking Chair Knits Winter Hats

November 10, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Random, Rocking chairs

rocking chair knits winter hats

“Shown in the ruckstuhl building as part of ECAL’s ‘low-tech factory’ exposition during designers’ saturday in Langenthal, Switzerland is ‘Rocking Knit’ – a design that makes the transition to the winter season a little less onerous. Students of university of art and design Lausanne Damien Ludi and Colin Peillex created a chair that will fashion its user a beanie as they leisurely rock back and forth, activating gears that put the machine to work as its sitter relaxes.”

“The project is in response to the exhibition’s theme, where students were required to reinterpret the idea of manufacture – deconstructing the fabrication process of a product to a slower, more considered pace. Designers’ saturday showcased the work in the ruckstuhl carpet factory, appropriately surrounding the work by spools of thread and feverish machinery, connecting concept and real-world techniques in a meaningful way.”

See and read more. Previously: Wind powered knitting machine.

Build a Solar Thermal Direct-Air Heater for $200

November 1, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Heating appliances, Random, Solar

solar thermal direct air heater

“The town I live in is located near the Alberta-BC border, about 100 miles north of the US Canada border. Winters here are long and cold, but many days are crystal clear and sunny.”

“Our tool shed has a south-facing wall which was ideal to mount a solar thermal direct-air collector panel. The collector panel exterior dimensions are 48” high x 49.5” wide. Total budget: $200.00 Result: 16 sq ft harvest up to 6 kWh/day.”

Build a Solar-Thermal Direct-Air Heater (PDF). Introduction (and another project) here.