Off Grid in the City

Blog Series Off-Grid StLouis Style

This blog post will highlight how it all works together for getting Off-Grid StLouis Style without scrimping on the Must Haves of Hot Water, Heat, and Electricity.

Highlighted in a few prior blog posts- burning wood can produce Hot Water From Your Wood Stove for Blazing Hot Showers (which works off the Stove Pipe of the Wood Burning Stove or fireplace). As well as how to Turn a wood stove into a fuel source for creating a propane type fuel source that will operate gasoline engines such as a generator (Gasifier). 

Must Have 1] Hot Water

Get Hot Water from Your Woodstove: The Blazing Showers Stovepipe Water Heater

This hot water heating system produces hot water that will stay warm up to 48 hours!

• Article Link:  Three years ago, we were sitting in our cabins wondering how we could satisfy our addictions for hot baths and showers, without paying ridiculous prices for disappearing reserves of fossil fuels. Putting our talents together (one of us is a mechanical wizard and the other a Ph.D. chemist), we devised a homestead alternate energy system — based on the use of otherwise-wasted stovepipe heat — that's allowed us to take those hot baths. We call our system the Blazing Showers Stovepipe Hot Water Heater. See Build Tips here: https://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2010/02/hot-water-from-your-woodstove.html

Must Have 2] Heat Wood Stove 

I have a buddy who is Off-Grid in the City! Here's what I've been helping him with. Double Row Stack. I haven't stacked this much wood in ages. #biomass It was all I could do to move the closest logs in the bottom left photo. We'll be building a Gasifer soon! pic.twitter.com/btW0251HIN

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) May 14, 2019

Must Have 3] Electricity

• Options
• Connected to the Grid
• Photovoltaic Solar System

• Batter Bank - Two Ways to Charge the Battery Bank.  The obvious way is with the Photovoltaic System and the Second way is with the Gasifier Generator System.

• Gas or Gasifier Generator

• Energy Source: Biomass - Firewood Donated by the neighbor tree trimmers and upcycled from job sites.  

this is similar to what we will be building.
Construction of a Simplified Wood Gas
Generator for Fueling Internal Combustion
Engines in a Petroleum Emergencyhttps://t.co/K1UDlesjE0 #Gasifer

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) May 14, 2019

How to build a "Wood Gasifier" from propane tanks, to power a "Tiny House"!

How to build a "Wood Gasifier" from propane tanks, to power a "Tiny House"!

This is how to build your own Wood Gas producing wood stove that can be used to run a vehicle or generator, this works for replacing propane in most standard propane appliances. This simple unit was made from three small propane tanks and scrap material.

We have also upgraded to 12volt LED wiring and lighting setup in a few spots of the home!  A complete LED lighting system would reduce Electricity needs by 50%.  

In upcoming blog posts, I will share how this process and system all work together and allows the Homeowner to live 

Off-Grid StLouis Style!

Thank You for stopping by the Green Blog. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know by posting a question or comment. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone.

Under Stair Movable Storage Unit Plans

Open Source Design Build Drawings- Under Stair Movable Storage Unit Plan

I was asked to design and build customstorage units for underneath a set of basementstairs.  

Here are the Design Build Drawings in the following slide show presentation.  Give it a minute to load, the controls are in the lower left, if you have questions, comments, or complaint use the contact form and someone will address your concern.

Design Build Drawings-

Under Stair Movable Storage

Under Stair Movable Storage Plan

Design Issues Solved by enabling the 3 storage units to move independently.  

Allowing the Movable Storage Units to be completely removed from the space- gives all the needed room for future cleaning and inspections.

The added benefit of having movable storage units in a basement type setting- where water is known to cause damage to things left directly on the floor.  With the Movable Storage Units- the size and height of the caster wheels chosen will determine the bottom shelf height distance off the floor- 2 inches or greater.

This provides Safety to your items in Storage for low water basement flooding issues.

DIY Suggestions

• Be careful in choosing the height of the Caster Wheels.  
• Too tall of wheels will cause a "Tip Hazard" of Movable Storage Unit.
• Width of wheel is determine by floor covering- example carpet wide wheel, concrete narrow wheel.
• Always store heavier items on lowest shelf.

Grand Total of: 120,960 cu in  (4,480 cu ft) Minimum Storage Space created with the Movable Storage Units 

Small:     20,160 cu in

Medium: 40,320 cu in

Large:     60,480 cu in

This is like having the storage capabilities of a second kitchen.

Full Size Under Stair Movable Storage Unit Plans

Page 1 Design Build Under Stair Movable Storage Plan

Page 2 Design Build Under Stair Movable Storage Plan

Page 3 Design Build Under Stair Movable Storage Plan

Page 4 Design Build Under Stair Movable Storage Plan

Page 5 Design Build Under Stair Movable Storage Plan

Page 6 Design Build Under Stair Movable Storage Plan

FREE SHARE - OPEN SOURCE - 

Use as needed ~ modify to fit

your stairway.

Stay Tuned for
material Price Lists and
actual Build Notes.

Questions or Comments fill in the contact form
or leave me a message below.
Full Size Under Stair Movable Storage Unit Plans

Thank You for stopping by the Green Blog. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know by posting a question or comment. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone.

Net Zero Container Home Solar and Wind Energy

5 Container Layout for open concept living areas. Net Zero Energy use from 4k Wind Turbine and Solar Panels System. Passive Solar Roof Overhang Design that doubles as support for solar panels and blocks summertime sun rays.

This CAD design was originally made for a client who was interested in a container home design. After the costs to buy, renovate, and build a container home outweighed the cost of a larger and roomier Post Frame Building design they decided that maybe a container home wasn't the best fit for them and their growing family.

The Clients also requested a Rock Climbing Wall incorporated into the Home Design- ie Must Have. This was also the reason behind the design of the Container on its end sticking up above the remain home. With a few windows the container can also be used for a Natural Air Movement Home Ventilation Feature as well as house the Wind Turbine. This meets my design goals of a building feature that has 2 or more benefits is always a worthwhile addition!

There are no interior plans for this design. If you would like an interior design let me know and I'll work one up.  The usable interior floor plan space is 20- 40 feet wide (wooden truss system) x up to 40 feet long with up to 16 feet tall ceilings.   This allows plenty of space that could incorporate a variety of designs.
#BuildGreenScotty

5 Container Open Floor Plan Net Zero Green Home Design by Scotty

20 and 40foot Shipping  Storage Containers for Sale in St. Louis

$2,400.00 Wind and water tight containers. Great for storage.

2015 Spring Shipping Container Special: 20ft $1,700, 40ft containers $2,100 each with discount. If you order more than 5 containers we can give more discount.

If you need delivery please let us know your zip code for delivery options.

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources via: Scotty- St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Pt3 Kid Sized Plumbing-Small Biz Energy Efficient Design Build Project

This final blog post of the Series-Small Business Energy Efficient Design Build Project.  I will be addressing the Must Have Request of the Client- Two Child Sized Plumbing Fixtures and extra counter area by sink located outside of bathroom.  If you haven't noticed a design theme yet while reading about this project.  Let me give you a HINT: KIDS!  This project is all about providing a: safe environment for Kids to grow and learn!

Starting with the Must Have:

• Kids Sized Plumbing Fixture- 
• Problem Solved by a call to my preferred plumber and plumbing outlet.  I honestly didn't know these existed at the time of the Clients Initial Interview, but with a call to my Master Plumber who pointed me towards models by Kohler and Pacific Standard.  

11/27/2013 Kid Sized Plumbing Fixture On Sale $50 Milford Supply
4219 S Kingshighway Blvd StLouis MO
www.milfordsupply.com 

• Extra Counter Area- 
• The upstairs area is host to many activities for the children-crafts and crafting and other educational activities that will require ease of access to a Sink.  To me it only made sense that the sink area also be child sized!  
• Problem solved easily:  I will take the Standard Sink base and remove 12-14inches of the sides and back, then re-attach the system!  Saving Money by not having to order "Special" products!

• Kids Sized Plumbing Fixture

Extra Counter Area

Part 3-

• Pt3 Kid Sized Plumbing-Small Business Energy Efficient Design Build Project where I address the:
• 
  

  Kid Sized Plumbing Fixtures located in the Bathroom (part 3)

• 1 Sink located outside the Bathroom with Extra Counter-space (part 3)

Part 2-
Pt2 Ensuring Success StLouis Small Biz Energy Efficiency Design Build Project  Part 2 of this blog series I will be addressing the Open Floor Plan concept requested by the client.

Part 1-

In part 1 of this Small Business Energy Efficient Design Build Project I highlighted the three main points that are planned to make this project a truly energy efficient design that will provide this small business owner the space to grow while being energy efficient and not sacrificing the comfort levels.

"Proper Design Build Energy Conservation Techniques used 

in this project will ensure that this business owner will keep the 

energy costs low and comfort levels high-Scotty,Scotts Contracting"

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Pt2 Ensuring Success StLouis Small Biz Energy Efficiency Design Build Project

In part 2 of this blog series I will be addressing the open floor plan concept requested by the client.

This to me was the easiest part of the design build remodeling project and where there is a will there is a way! 

I accomplished this open concept by first determining the allowable span for the ceiling joists[1][2] And determined that 2x6 will span the needed 16' opening and is beefy enough to support the R49 Green Fiber Blow In Insulation [3].

• [1] "Maximum Span Calculator for Joists and Rafters." 2005. 6 Nov. 2013 http://www.awc.org/calculators/span/calc/
• [2] "Span Tables for Joists and Rafters - American Wood Council." 2004. 6 Nov. 2013 http://www.awc.org/technical/spantables/
• [3] "Step One - Calculate Your Need | GreenFiber.com." 2009. 6 Nov. 2013 http://www.greenfiber.com/step_one_-_calculate_your_need_how_to_install.html

I will be installing these ceiling joists on 16 inch centers supported by 2x6 ceiling joist hangers attached to a Site Built Double Joist supported by the 2x4 Interior Walls.

Ceiling Joists on 16 inch centers supported by 2x6 ceiling joist hangers attached to a Site Built Double Joist supported by the 2x4 Interior Walls

This will be a site built support beam that rests on each side of the 2x4 Interior Walls that frame the Dormer Opening in the Second Floor.   See Photo below of exterior view of Dormer on the Roof

Exterior View of Dormer Area on the 2nd Floor 

The crew and I will use Glue and 2 Rows of 3 inch screws spaced 16 inches apart.  To construct this beam.

We will also be using Metal Ceiling Joist Hangers that will provide the needed structural support to carry the load over the span below- Providing and 

Meeting the Clients desire for an

OPEN FLOOR PLAN

CAD Open Floor Plan per Clients Request

Stay Tuned for Part 3-Small Business Energy Efficient Design Build Project where I address the:

• Kid Sized Plumbing Fixtures located in the Bathroom (part 3)
• 1 Sink located outside the Bathroom with Extra Counter-space (part 3)

In part 1 of this Small Business Energy Efficient Design Build Project I highlighted the three main points that are planned to make this project a truly energy efficient design that will provide this small business owner the space to grow while being energy efficient and not sacrificing the comfort levels.

"Proper Design Build Energy Conservation Techniques used 

in this project will ensure that this business owner will keep the 

energy costs low and comfort levels high-Scotty,Scotts Contracting"

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

GreenBuild Kitchen Project Using Habitat For Humanity Building Materials

Every project has a must have, in the case of this Kitchen project the 6 must haves were accomplished and the total job costs were under $150.00 saving the Home Owner $350.00 of her budget!  Sound impossible? Here is how I accomplished this task by adding an Eat-In Kitchen Counter Top along one wall :)

1. A more user friendly kitchen Layout
2. Additional Counter Space
3. Seating and Eating area for the Grand-kids
4. Final Project must blend with existing kitchen decor
5. Open Floor Plan-More Space
6. Budget of $500.00  

I learned long ago in my college drafting classes that a good plan not only speeds up the construction process it helps the Home Owner visualize the end result. My initial inspection of the existing kitchen revealed: 

1. The existing counter was congested with cooking appliances and left little room for food prep.  
2. A small 4 person table that the Grand Kids utilized for eating and homework robbed the kitchen of valuable floor space.

I came up with the plan in the 2nd photo and presented it to the homeowner a few weeks prior to the project.

• I explained that by replacing the existing 4 person kitchen table with an Eat In Counter would open up 20 square feet of kitchen floor area and created 10 square feet of additional counter space, bringing the total counter space to 30 square feet and creating a more open floor plan in the Kitchen.

CAD 3D Counter Top Wall Bracing Detail
by Green Builder Scotts Contracting, StLouis Renewable Energy

• By utilizing wall braces instead of support posts for the eat in counter creates more floor space.  The eye is tricked  by the openness since it can see the floor along the Kitchen Wall.

CAD 3D Eat-In Kitchen Counter Top
Layout Plan- by Scotts Contracting

Once the Home Owner and I have a plan to go from we then started the quest of looking for materials.  After a couple of trips through Home Depot shopping for building materials we decided to make the trip to Habitat for Humanity ReStore -see Map

For those who have never been on a Treasure Hunt for Building Materials in a Habitat for Humanity Restore.  I'd like to show you just a few of the Jewels we found and incorporated in this Kitchen Project for under $16.00- 

• Keeping with the Decor of the existing kitchen we found a perfect Counter top with Wood Trim that matched the existing counter top and butcher block.
• 3 Stair Way Spindles that were incorporated into wall bracing used to support the new counter.

The addition of the small counter top
created 6 Benefits for the Home Owner
using $16.00 worth of Materials
and a couple of hours time!

All the Materials minus the Glue was from Salvaged Building Materials purchased for $16.00 at Habitat For Humanity Restore StLouis!  I very happily report that all the must haves were met for under $150.00 saving the Home Owner $350.00 of her budget! 

Projects Greatest Achievement / Personal Notes:

1. I realize that being the smallest kid in the house is very challenging while eating.  Booster seats are generally needed so they can easily reach their food or studies.  When I seen the mismatched stools for the counter I realized that the tallest stool was a perfect size for the smallest grandchild!  No modifications were needed.  In time the child will grown and we can cut the legs off the stool for a more uniform appearance.  But until then we made the little girls ego happy since she now has the biggest chair!  See the Facebook Pictures of the Grand Kids utilizing their new kitchen counter-Being the smallest girl is tuff, when I told her the biggest stool was hers; it made her day!
2. Sharon, Home Owner stated that it not only made her kitchen user friendly and open.  When she is having feasts for family gatherings she could utilize the new counter for food staging and eliminate the extra tables brought in that cluttered up the kitchen.  She also stated that all her friends are commenting on the new look of her kitchen on the above facebook page!
3. Saving the Client $350.00

If you have a challenging building project in the StLouis area and need Design Build Assistance feel free contact me via the contact form on the right, via main web page, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus.


Here are few Twitter Comments about the project:

Scotts Contracting ‏@StLHandyMan-@habitatstl Thank You- #Countertop #StairwaySpindles incorporated into #BreakfastBar #Kitchen #Green #Upcycle pic.twitter.com/iAzRCDuuW2

Scotts Contracting ‏@StLHandyMan-@habitatstl Thank You for the Materials.Everything matched perfectly to the existing decor in the Kitchen- #Upcycling #BuildingMaterials :)

Scotts Contracting ‏@StLHandyMan-@habitatstl Thank You, made my job easier! Home Owners quote: "New Favorite Store- #Restore on #ForestPark" -6th project w/ ur materials!

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog