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Simple Technologies: Compost Hot Water Heating

by James Moriarty

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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The following series of posts provides lessons learned from a 2 week Permaculture Design Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand. By taking very simple steps, we can  all take control over simple technologies and free resources to simplify our lives.

Compost Hot Water Heating

There is a simple way to harness free energy from living organisms. The simple process of composting food scraps and yard waste uses microbes to break down organic matter into rich soil. The byproduct of this reaction is heat.

By following a simple method, you can capture the heat and use it to heat water. This water can be used in hydronic heating systems, or provide hot water for showers.

Step 1: Gather composting material consisting of:
- 50% brown matter such as straw, hay, leaves, etc.
- 50% green matter such as weeds and food scraps or high nitrogen content material such as cow manure

Step 2: Lay a layer of sticks on the ground to support the compost pile and allow for free airflow beneath the pile

Step 3: Provide a layer of brown matter a couple inches thick and water the pile. Then provide a layer of green matter a couple inches thick and water the pile

Simple floating drum digester diagram for agricultural applications. Image provided by Heifer International Thailand. Similar systems can be setup to replace septic tanks, or handle backyard wastes and scraps.

 

The biogas digester is demonstrated at the Panya Project in Northern Thailand

 

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NESEA advances sustainability practices in the built environment by cultivating a cross-disciplinary community where practitioners are encouraged to share, collaborate and learn.

Jim has a passion for understanding the systems perspective of complex environmental, economic, and infrastructure issues in his personal and professional life. In 2014 he co-founded Sustainable Comfort, Inc. with the mission is to create thoughtful, sustainable, and impactful buildings. Since its founding, SCI has grown to over 50 employees and was honored as the 19th fastest growing company in Massachusetts in 2019 and the fastest growing company in Worcester by Inc. 5000.

Jim primarily works with the multifamily housing sector as a consultant to achieve low carbon and energy...

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