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- Is it still worth cabling ethernet in?
- Any ideas for green tech that might actually work and pay off? I'm probably going to put in a wood-burning stove.
I'm doing almost everything myself, and money is definitely a consideration.
For Wireless music you can also using Apple's Airport Express?
I don't know how expensive solar panels are where you live, but here they are definitely worth it, especially as they get subsidized by the government. Another good green thing is a big tank which uses all your overheat to keep water warm, and then uses it. Don't know what it's called, but it saves quite a bit on the heating bill.
- I'm putting in 2 wood stoves too.
- Yes on the ethernet, wifi only takes you that far.
A backup electricity generator would be cool if power outages aren't uncommon in your area. Something like a central UPS.
Good insulation is key. Double glazed windows, etc.
A solar water heater is a good idea if you get a good amount of sunshine.
Grey-water recycling is a good idea. You can also reclaim heat from it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_water_heat_recycling
A composting setup would be handy if you have a backyard or garden.
Choose robustness and longevity over style and minor cost savings for the various components/materials that will be used.
I'd definitely put in ethernet. But maybe there's some way you can wire everything through 1" PVC pipes, so it's relatively easy to replace it. For Wireless music you can also using Apple's Airport Express? I don't know how expensive solar panels are where you live, but here they are definitely worth it, especially as they get subsidized by the government. Another good green thing is a big tank which uses all your ov…
Thermomax tubes can collect solar energy to heat water, even when it's freezing outside. You can also use their output as part of a radiant heating system.
Pair solar water preheat with tankless, and you have the best of both worlds -- use of free solar energy with the exact water temperature you want.
These folks used the Thermomax tubes in Arizona -- and had too much energy collected: http://www.solarhaven.org/Hydronic.htm
This guy has a bunch of tricks: http://mtbest.net/
You also might price out getting photovoltaic, and writing your own controller so that a small auxiliary air conditioner (separate from main system) gets turned on, but only when your panels are producing enough juice to run it. This means you are getting all the benefit of "free" cooling, without paying for a battery system and without paying for enough solar panels to run the AC for a whole house, and getting this boost exactly when you need it. (When the sun is beating down on your house.)
You can also look into air heat exchangers. This lets you preheat your ventilation input air with heat from your ventilation output. This only works well for super-sealed super-insulated houses. (The Germans even have a standard for super-green houses that includes such devices.)
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8...
In Houston, the air quality varies with the tides. If you are in a similar situation, I'd look into a custom controller that ventilates the house when the air quality is good, but seals it when it's bad.
+1 for ethernet.
- Plain old electric outlets in almost every corner, more than you think you'd need :) - I'm putting in 2 wood stoves too. - Yes on the ethernet, wifi only takes you that far.
More and more stuff can be carried down UTP like video (HDMI over Ethernet) and USB devices, it is also ideal for hooking up phones around the place too. You can never have too much UTP in your walls when considering possible future requirements IMO.
Oh and don't forget to run some up to your roof area to give you the option of participating in your local wireless mesh project!
Ethernet in the walls is a definite yes of course. A backup electricity generator would be cool if power outages aren't uncommon in your area. Something like a central UPS. Good insulation is key. Double glazed windows, etc. A solar water heater is a good idea if you get a good amount of sunshine. Grey-water recycling is a good idea. You can also reclaim heat from it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_water_heat_recyc…
Why Ethernet instead of PLC? I know EthCat6 is faster and reliable... but you can get now 500Mbps from some PLC kits, and no maintaining is required