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Author
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Topic: Efficient ways to build a castle.
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Tritoph
Member
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posted 01-16-2000 05:36 PM
  
Asking anyone on efficient ways to build a castle, i.e. castles fully dependent on solar energy, ways to hide ugly modern "things", stuff like that. Thank you in advanced. |
canadab
Senior Member
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posted 01-16-2000 06:18 PM
We are using maintenance passages to hold all the pipes, wiring, and ductwork. We have opted to use plaster walls. This allows you to place outlets where you want then and form you moulding around them (or over them with knock outs). The construction itself is cut stone over concrete pre-stressed panels. The interior is fitted with hardwood floors. We use radiant heat combined with a boiler in the basement level to supplement heating. We have discussed solar panels on the roof (we already have a 2000 gallon tank to hold water sceduled for the uppermost floor). But solar is not practical by itself, a battery system to hold stored solar power and a generator for low-voltage periods will be essential. We are using well water. We are trying to keep the wires away from our lands.. no telephone poles either (we use cell phones mostly anyway since we are always on the move). Brian Canada
aka Amberein du la Anair
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If you can dream it, you can make it a reality. |
Tritoph
Member
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posted 01-16-2000 06:50 PM
How much are the solar panels and generator and stuff (dollars)? Gotta go. |
canadab
Senior Member
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posted 01-16-2000 10:23 PM
http://www.windsun.com/Inverters/trace_inverter_specials.htm Try this link for pricing a system. brian canada
aka Amberein du la Anair ------------------
If you can dream it, you can make it a reality. |
Levan
Moderator
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posted 01-20-2000 08:03 AM
At Castle Levan (built in the 14th century) we have warm-water central heating which was installed under the floor. The system consists of plastic pipes (rather like those used to feed a washing machine - but thicker) that snake across the entire area of the floor about 20 cm apart. The water is heated to about 7-10 degrees Celcius (depending upon time of year). Pipes in each room are thermostatically controlled - surprisingly, the rooms get warmer than the temperature of the water. The 2-3 m (6-10 feet) thickness of our walls mean that some heating is required even in the summer (we do get summers occassionally). The outer parts of our walls get so wet in winter, that we need to make sure they dry out during the summer. Main benefits of our heating system is that it is reasonably efficient, provides constant even background temperature (which is good for antique furniture), no unsightly radiators, prevents localised ingress of damp and, apparently, heat from below kills dust mite! I reckon that a heating system that proves its worth in the constantly wet and windy Scottish climate has to warrant consideration! Levan |
duncan
Senior Member
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posted 01-20-2000 11:35 AM
Our plans call for the underfloor heating that I talked of some time ago. Every thing Leven says is quite true when it comes to radeantfloor heat.
Our system goes a little further, the heat comes from our 8 geo.thermal wells. Although the pipe feild for the exchange could have been put under a pond or lake or a moat or even a stream. This system is our primary hot water and house hold heat source, as a back up we have a type of hot water system that is made in England. The two mother boards and tanks are about 12x8 inch and are really cheap to run. This little system delivers unlimited hot water instantly.
The 6 custem built wood burning fire places will be tied into the heat system also. These are not your normal type that waste more btu's than they put out. Even my Forge can be used to heat the 44x66x30 foot high great hall. I don't think we will need AC.
We've been looking into something new that the inventer said will provide the electrical needs of a large house and operates off the geo.thermal system, I guess we'll find out if it works.
The fresh water comes from 2 deep wells. The tanks and air system will provide the pressure needed to feed even the upper storys
A cistern for garden use and posible another well for the livestock.
A ceptic system, or something new that people around here are calling a hydro system, and we've thought about a very deep moat for the sewer, not sure the moat monsters will like it, O well. ------------------
Megan and Ralph
DUNCAN CASTLE
[This message has been edited by duncan (edited 11-16-2001).] |
Tritoph
Member
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posted 01-23-2000 11:45 AM
Hydro system? Never heard of it. Would ye shed some light in it? Thanks. |
duncan
Senior Member
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posted 01-26-2000 06:57 AM
Not much light can be shed at this time. I've located one building site that was said to be useing it, but no builder can be found yet for any indepth discription. I do know it has a rather short perk feild and no large septic tank, as I find out more, I'll post my findings. |
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