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Sundae · 01-17-2006, 10:43 AM

I understand the appeal of not having to pay for heating and cooling costs in a PAHS house, but isn't a design that uses that much concrete rather eco-unfriendly? Unless of course the house lasts long enough to offset the negative impact?

I admit I doubt I'd ever build my own house - I'm far too lazy in practical matters like that. If I had the money I'd simply search until I found one that ticked enough boxes. BUT, if by some strange quirk of fate I was looking to build my own...

I'd like to have solar panels in the roof, and I know you can adjust the pitch of the roof to allow minimum penetration of the sun in the summer and maximum penetration in the winter. If the house is also well insulated, heating can be provided solely by wood-burning stoves - which is an idea which appeals to me for aesthetic reasons too.

I'd also like to collect rainwater for the washing machine and watering the garden, and I believe "grey" water from household use can be recylced at home too. Water isn't generally metered in the UK so there'd be no cost saving, but I just think the less I waste the better.

01-17-2006, 10:43 AM	#11
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I understand the appeal of not having to pay for heating and cooling costs in a PAHS house, but isn't a design that uses that much concrete rather eco-unfriendly? Unless of course the house lasts long enough to offset the negative impact? I admit I doubt I'd ever build my own house - I'm far too lazy in practical matters like that. If I had the money I'd simply search until I found one that ticked enough boxes. BUT, if by some strange quirk of fate I was looking to build my own... I'd like to have solar panels in the roof, and I know you can adjust the pitch of the roof to allow minimum penetration of the sun in the summer and maximum penetration in the winter. If the house is also well insulated, heating can be provided solely by wood-burning stoves - which is an idea which appeals to me for aesthetic reasons too. I'd also like to collect rainwater for the washing machine and watering the garden, and I believe "grey" water from household use can be recylced at home too. Water isn't generally metered in the UK so there'd be no cost saving, but I just think the less I waste the better.