I am planning on building a home on the Samana peninsula in about 4 years and would like to make it relatively self sufficient. Are there Dominican businesses that can provide advanced septic systems, water purification systems, and wind and/or solar power generation systems, or should I expect to have to import them?
- Thread starter gneie
- Start date
Utilities:self sufficiency
P.s.
Since posting the original, I've read the Environmental section of the forum, and learned a lot. I'm adding full-spectrum flourescent lighting (easier on the eye than cool-white) and propane refridgeration to my list. I was surprised that solar water heating was not discussed.
Since posting the original, I've read the Environmental section of the forum, and learned a lot. I'm adding full-spectrum flourescent lighting (easier on the eye than cool-white) and propane refridgeration to my list. I was surprised that solar water heating was not discussed.
There are a number of people who install solar water heaters in the country. I knew a few in Santiago in the late ninties and imagine they are still in business. They are (were) in the yellow pages. I have also met a few people who built a system themselves. Didn't use the same quality of materials as the established businesses so the life of the system was shorter but they work very well.
When I lived in Bella Vista, Sosua, there as a 55 gallon black plastic tank out back that was above head level and had a fauset you could shower with. I had plenty of hot showers under that thing after a sweaty day at work.
Tom F.
When I lived in Bella Vista, Sosua, there as a 55 gallon black plastic tank out back that was above head level and had a fauset you could shower with. I had plenty of hot showers under that thing after a sweaty day at work.
Tom F.
We have one of those black tanks on the roof. No need for additional hot water and I cannot remember the last time we turned on the hot water cylinder. I do not see the need for a properly installed solar hot water system in the DR. Just get the heights right to get a good gravity flow and plonk one of these black things on a tower or the roof...
What I did
When I built my house I built a 125 gallon tank on the roof of the bathroom with block. From the tank to the bathroom I used 3 inch PVC pipe running back and forth in 3 feet sections(12 feet of pipe) and painted it black so in the day and early evening I have very hot water.
When I built my house I built a 125 gallon tank on the roof of the bathroom with block. From the tank to the bathroom I used 3 inch PVC pipe running back and forth in 3 feet sections(12 feet of pipe) and painted it black so in the day and early evening I have very hot water.
Batch Heater
I have a Batch hot water heater as they are known, which is basically the same principal. It is a contained tank that is within a larger half tank that has a clear plastic cover. With this green house system the water comes out almost boiling. I have had it for almost ten years now and it still works great. The idea is so simple. Anyone interested in starting a joint venture producing these I would be very interested. I know where you can get all the building materials in SD.
Hot water cleans one better than cold as it opens the skins pours and cuts the grease better.
I have a Batch hot water heater as they are known, which is basically the same principal. It is a contained tank that is within a larger half tank that has a clear plastic cover. With this green house system the water comes out almost boiling. I have had it for almost ten years now and it still works great. The idea is so simple. Anyone interested in starting a joint venture producing these I would be very interested. I know where you can get all the building materials in SD.
Hot water cleans one better than cold as it opens the skins pours and cuts the grease better.
Drake said:
Drake, are there any pictures of these around on the internet? I'd like to have a look at one of these. Also, it would be good if you posted something in the environment forum on these water heaters. I'm sure many folks would be interested.
Batch hot water heater
I just did a Google search using "Batch hot water heater" and came with tons of info.
Chris said:
I just did a Google search using "Batch hot water heater" and came with tons of info.