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Wired Magazine/Living Homes Exhibit in LA

Monday, December 31st, 2007 – running time 21:26
On this episode of (Eco)Systm, we venture out and take a tour of the Wired Magazine/Living Homes Exhibit in LA. This collaborative effort will redefine what we typically think of when we hear of "Prefab" construction. While not in the price range for most of us, this home does offer some options that we all can all take part in.

This $4 million home in LA isn't exactly what we think of when wanting to integrate more green, eco-friendly aspects to our lives, but it does offer up some great options. LEED certified and designed by architect Ray Kappe, this home offers a great, simple way of constructing a house without compromising the uniqueness of a custom built home. With plenty of options to create your desired look and feel, Living Homes has put together a great package of options while Wired Magazine has covered the interior tech side of things. As we get a tour of the home, all items are available for purchase. Whether it be a Calfee bamboo bicycle, a dual flush toilet by Toto or an energy monitoring system by HP, the Wired/Living Homes exhibit opens up many options for the green, eco-aware folks.

Special thanks to:

HP for the time-lapse video

Gregg Segal for the still images

Steve Glenn of Living Homes

Shiron Bell of Wired Magazine

Highlights
home design ( 14:28, 14:28 ) Carbon emissions ( 6:58, 6:58 ) tax credit ( 16:06, 16:06 ) square foot house ( 12:53, 12:53 ) home design ( 14:28, 14:28 ) Carbon emissions ( 6:58, 6:58 ) tax credit ( 16:06, 16:06 ) square foot house ( 12:53, 12:53 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" Visits an assistant drugs you'd like nudity Netflix -- dot com. Credit or I call the first system you have candidate or the very -- system of 2007. For anyone to download an hour -- night in both ears you know you're downloading on New Year's -- want to thank you for spending new years -- of us. Should be coming out in December 31 and her father so yeah I was nice lighthearted. Plan. More producers -- by the camera right now silent. He got very excited about something called. The wired living home -- wired magazine got together with a company in XP -- single living homes put together a designer showcase. Of -- home pre fabricated off site. Stop making your double wide trailer humor and tornadoes you know just stop you haven't seen it yet. And basically look at technology showcase including alternative energy sources and a whole bunch of cool stuff he would -- with a camera in what you don't give immunity to work we're. -- a little bit about what she's off right after this."

" It's -- here with -- Chirac can handle wired magazine's David says quick tour rundown of the living homes. Exhibit in conjunction with wired magazine where wires taking care of and a more text aspect of the interior and then living houses and next here -- that aspect of singularly."

" Will hold -- came to get a living homes. You know it was founded with the idea of helping people. To have really high and modern looking sustainable green homes and wired has always been about you know design and technology and how they come together. We daughter is a perfect marriage to come together and -- people experience of being able to walk through a home that is the highest and the screen as well as highs and technology. Coca flow thing will go -- Would -- you'll find in the ceilings in the would on the outside the house is also all reclaimed wood so some of the used to be a great sums to the army Ericsson and -- tell -- it on music throughout the house so is somebody actively seeking out places that are about to be. Demolished or taken apart yes trying to find that would in itself is so different -- there. It's not you know depending on the state depending on where you're located there's different sort of sources Ford but if you start to do research and look for you know just. It's just Google searches of reclaimed products that kind of -- you can usually find people. An -- famous you know it used to be junkyard -- pretty -- here today people are doing you know more time and actually you can easily replaced."

" Great thing about this it actually has to flush modes personally is sort of the number one uses less water point nine gallons and then through when you don't forget you press the number two button and and it actually use more -- so lucky to conserve water on you don't need to watch as much that's really great and he's here flew what are your numbers. Yeah when you could try point nine and it doesn't work you -- cause the other benefit of that political thing here is this done. So the real on Fossett. And illustrated that it's got a sensor so I'm water comes out it comes on three to 1530 or sixty seconds you can Jesus that was one and then -- got a little turbine and here's -- the water runs that your clients spends. And generate electricity that charges the battery. Better actually last month nineteen years that -- recharging is different system that uses mineral water when it comes out it's nice and automatic. So here -- some of the green elements. Are on the floor we have. Almost cult Hollywood and actually it's a renewable with the grows back very quickly on the wall we also have some power solar panel facility next to cover the house that provides fifty to 80% electricity. So one of the benefits in California is that we have really high down our prices for energy you've got a lot to privatize energy. Obviously have an abundant sunlight. And the cost for all of gas and heating and all those things is going up so it's kind of creating for the storm makes those channels on a really perfect option right now. And the other thing is just a -- hit on sort hedge against inflation if people are getting older and they say you know my energy prices are guaranteed to go awkward time. When I put in solar panels are locked in a certain -- and Obama's gonna cost me -- provides all the energy I need my house. So now I know my energy costs you're gonna be moving forward so raw and so you know and all those ways. Becomes a good economically as well as a really good free choice you know and now and tell -- your profited and you know all the energy out that you. Using isn't. -- This is an aspect of it on overall most of the furniture and stuff is done is either vintage or around renewable."

" It -- an answering spaced fairly large one cool features despite which is actually me and -- at a time vandalism really renewable resource against nice and light. You can -- hold bamboo forests and three years ago. It's great what you be able to rest use present when used. You got -- right to use that things not. Backers. Bamboo grows so quickly it's a really great resource. He believes. And using in a -- is really innovative it's strong. That's -- out of your. I -- something that's."

" This -- the one room is a couple features in here talking about -- Against core on the wall. On one of the benefits of course is that he needs water resistant microbes -- So on yeah because in my in my questions area. Court is an animal's current form and here we haven't -- wash your bike option adds let's -- sensor technology. On what happens is in the Washington -- that first wash load. On the consent how much dirt came around -- clean it up network. It actually skipper recyclers it wash cycle the water if you wouldn't mind that. No mystery here we have a phone call the building dashboard from the lucid design group. Mom and -- were actually shows the energy usage from the house and real time. You can click and so on a daily weekly or monthly basis -- the two watts of power of the house is using. How much money you're spending ten dollars on the us to watch costing you and him -- and it from me. From the house which is great logging in now sort of where your at. If you say so instead you budget for yourself on and then another really. Benefit is that shows you the difference between how much energy producing solar power how much energy use. You see here this screen that shows that on Monday it was also work and looks like today's. On Tuesday it was you were. Very little so -- a lot of consumption so maybe that means there's something not solar panels that help somebody -- over consumed on Tuesday so why did you certain notes on the house keeps keep track. Carbon emissions answer -- There a couple of dollars for me and connect it from the construction. A lot of hours things -- it possibly -- case and universities but now you know you can check. Picture Bryant and the caller's erection native particle papers down it's actually compress music and that's and page editor covered. Assessments and it's nice partner never knows it but let us down but it actually made of recycled paper."

" Read this this house is gray water capable. Bomb one of the problems in Los Angeles it's tough to get a great water permit to be able -- it actually -- water when great what it means is basically water coming from maybe you're. Clothes -- your laundry system or from mom bathroom -- things that you don't want that tends to come up very clean just gonna be so natural so thin it. On you can usually used as you can -- you plants water the lawn. On one of the concerns of Los Angeles is that people might. Some of the water might contain bacteria that it in fact -- groundwater and things like that so. LA is an extremely conservative about getting great water permits -- when this house does it personally it's rated gallon can use a lot of via the great Waterford -- water resistant plants."

" It means is great water. Is that something that -- through that and so or is it not -- to use one issues specific. Deterred rises and it really depends."

" In the system and -- one of the benefits are one of the things that should happen when you switch to -- waters that you begin to choose to use all organic and you know still some things that you that you know -- environments -- that your -- water is. Honest -- is can be. Under our system that can a lot of very water to be filtered so. -- I've seen some system you know on permitted systems where we'll we'll -- thought to filter it through a layer charcoal or hopefully Tom wood chips and things they can can collect some of the bacteria. Com and also even have a great water go through -- will ban on -- the water you know. Through and maybe you have small lakers you know small small body of water that this the water it's -- and a lot of natural processes can help to. -- water plans. Actually I mean you can have preferred dirty water. What and that's what you've what would happen as you probably filtered through wood chips charcoal and hit the plant assuming it was dirty water but. Normally the want to know -- soaps the you have attended as long as they don't have phosphates and things and they tend to be safe for most plants and plant into a lot of the work. Themselves the automation system that run the house's provided by company cultural war. And what's great is that it controls media throughout the house including radio television music videos. I'm but it also allowed to control the temperature and lighting and -- room house one of the things about the control forces and you don't have to actually rewire my house one of the things that's happened with a lot of automation systems that you need. To run ethernet cable and power cable and all these things to each individual court that you -- house. This one runs off of radio waves -- you all you have to do is make sure it has power. And -- speech activist central systems Sony should really easy wired house very cost effective relative to the other on products on the market so of the product and become either install it easier to use cheaper in price which makes it more accessible. And then when you integrate all the green -- saying I want to make sure my temperature -- a certain range to save energy and make sure my lights throughout the house you know. Are are being controlled that kind of stuff it fits with green and technologies --"

" Like watch -- system doesn't -- for from the -- on the -- with Netflix you can read over 75000. Titles online including lots of HD dvd and Blu-ray titles with free shipping both ways to your home. They now have over forty shipping centers so almost all the -- happen in just one business day. That -- plans start from 499. As a new member you need to -- two week free trial membership you check it out at WWW."

" But Netflix dot com slash system that's SY ST. I'd like a free trial subscription doctor -- journal few weeks off for magazines you information week Internet telephony sound good -- that got a ton of free trials it straight from dot com. And not just -- Macs trying to keep eating or halt completely free -- system Dutch -- post dot com. It's a good added I come up to 70% less than competition -- image includes free hosting and website builder applicable luckily email and much more plus error -- assist one SYS one when you check out and -- an additional 10% on any order. Some restrictions apply see the site for details you can -- of the Internet today yeah."

" So what we're doing is getting world class architects to design."

" Lying homes for us and and we're integrating an extremely. Comprehensive -- certified environmental program. And we're using factory. Production to build these sounds better quicker cheaper was smaller ecological footprints. -- Yeah. -- Why well that are -- Aren't portable."

" It. All. Work and --"

" Are absolutely to point out is like four. Thousand square foot house that was put together and like a lot of them or showcase houses it was packed a lot of high end things like media pricey. Stand where things. You can. And her efforts were merit selection of stem truly sets off living here when one little -- and got Hannity Glenn what happens when it comes up for. Hey you know. -- It's it's it's. Q president when laws that one there to oppose -- the big silent place. Plus it's an interesting idea or anything we're kind of laughing about this but. You know great water recycling is really good idea yeah if if if you have the ability to great water recycling. Then you consume considerably less water or you recycle water that you -- which if you're in LA or or you know Arizona where there's sort of perennial issues with route is is pretty serious thing or it here in Atlanta you've been looking around you know has been large part of last month looking around on. If you go to -- We're gonna have Turkey and all the waterproof toilets from thirty million people the united influx. You know there's there's some really interesting ideas here pre -- home construction is part of a huge movement going on and architecture and it will -- right now because. Building off site pre fabricated construction property in place. Is not only considerably more efficient. With construction but also is no longer is -- instead. There's been a lot of modern design while magazine accident real epicenter. Four you know modern home design you know -- temporary -- design gamers can recover it construction which is enormously efficient. And means you know having an off site facility you really tight job putting in your house and if you gave an important together in place. On and on me on a foundation that you bill. They can be really fast for me -- really easy to you know get the house he wants unique considerably less expensive. That's the thing. This thing."

" And I'm in an almost flawless technology we're talking about is primarily focused on new construction -- blah I don't mean people build new houses right now. But market section action. Or recession is many people who -- my answer is I don't know why that technologies and I felt washer dryer Obama to have it. I mean that was really -- how it actually would since the -- in this of the water after the first cycle than if you really needed a second site. Yes and you've -- I have to spend you know 2003000. Dollars for a washer and dryer. -- from other systems that you know again conserving water use cups of water around and gallons of water movement to make it you know here in San Cisco despite the whole -- you water supplies and water is not cheap. I headed kid we're doing diapers for spend a lot of money on water right now having more efficient. You know washing machine would be really nice on the outside you know what. He got decent weather -- line in the backyards -- lot of electricity. Solar cells are really interesting the stuff that they were showing. My understanding is that there has some power so panels are not that expensive you know big Mac and drop and cried yes. And giving more efficient which is taking forever -- in California is actually probably still some tax credit available now it doesn't help you a lot of accurate non US -- one the other four states. But you know we actually -- gonna pocket what have somebody here and here is San Francisco who's selling back electricity. And I covered a lot of their electrical needs in their home and kind of assistance paid for itself which is a really neat idea you know who doesn't wanna him. -- the man. Never actually -- or you know maybe you need money but you feel like is our emergency -- so and I and it's gonna screw PG&E. Everybody seems obvious picnic you know also if you if you see the prices -- the -- four million dollar house it's 4000 square feet. You know there's a homeless people and overheated emails through more Holmes or inefficient uses and you know what yeah if you don't -- 4000. Square I don't usually built one -- you know what it takes that much more energy -- that much more energy cool right. But on the flip side you know its -- certified liners and stuff a lot of green construction and there are. And a lot of of blog basically a lot of energy saving construction and it is that they're using -- like 36% more efficient and there may be traditional start."

" And -- the four million dollar home threat ad I'd much rather see a rich person is gonna go get a 45000. Square foot Palestinian mind. Kind of make up Portland on the back him. There's a lot of this -- is not realistically attainable -- and I we both agree on that yet but the nice thing is is that actually. In that houses a lot of really good ideas. There's a lot of good principles there's a lot of development house and it actually think about it a little more intelligence than my air conditioning program that."

" Thermostats very smart it's stupid leaders yup all the way -- AC up all the way during. Your house. You can go Home Depot you can buy one for no money. You know solar cells can actually be practical expensive than the twenty year investment probably going to be your home for twenty years. Possibly. You know it's -- it's -- to consider -- people think solar cells and immediately go my entire groups got to have solar cells. Don't think has yet power everything about wraps off solar on and I use solar -- for all level walkways and Mike Gartner panel that's stuff. That saves you money right there -- you know is even more clients you can turn down a lot of these large requirements just to offset other things it's definitely -- mean -- you can do especially you know using you know consuming less water may be I don't. For. Grass that requires more people -- don't need to change the -- human landscape. You know maybe I I look at low flush toilets consuming -- thirty years old like forty. Maybe do something weird requires a decision. Gone water comfort to -- spooky. Stewart composting toilet but -- to work -- that's what it hasn't united I want to and conservation thing but. I mean. To -- that more realistic level let's make people aware of the toilet suck up a lot of water yeah and if you need something simple problem brick in the back of the tanker you milk -- in the back so popular that not to work better or you know steal the break because the brick dust. Toilet that patent. But the first few words but there's a lot of little things you can do you make your homework -- or consumption leisure and consumption and the stuff that's gonna also increase the your home I mean. You know insulate. Them pain unit -- business. Investigators -- lot of interesting things here. You don't necessarily -- spent 49 dollar donors -- ask you don't necessarily have to spend 9000 dollars and software that's monitoring your you know your home you still like out of state. I want to see you really cheap easy version that was design group home export. You can currently they basically differently you know industrial and office buildings spaces apartment buildings that the idea actually monitors and it's something real time. That's really wild. I'm -- doesn't have a teenager that leaves the lights on police force or my wife -- You know can't eternal light -- when -- leaves room without treatment port he'd be leave you internal and often enough -- version there."

" Let you -- other much beautiful moment. The update. For the fifth that in her. Funny. Moment I think in this case. But hey yeah let's -- little excited about it Norton have been around we're in your hands all dirty in the next system episodes going to be surprised with a puzzled over -- in the -- know we've we've learned -- with the main candidates. Well no. It looks."

" I think I got my little I can't get. Yeah what it's. Look like little wonder that everything -- them from their breath dust settled. I don't know what Google us and Canada where's my -- I have to hit colored ones."

" You know decades. They're very."

" Visits an assistant drugs you'd like nudity Netflix -- dot com. Credit or I call the first system you have candidate or the very -- system of 2007. For anyone to download an hour -- night in both ears you know you're downloading on New Year's -- want to thank you for spending new years -- of us. Should be coming out in December 31 and her father so yeah I was nice lighthearted. Plan. More producers -- by the camera right now silent. He got very excited about something called. The wired living home -- wired magazine got together with a company in XP -- single living homes put together a designer showcase. Of -- home pre fabricated off site. Stop making your double wide trailer humor and tornadoes you know just stop you haven't seen it yet. And basically look at technology showcase including alternative energy sources and a whole bunch of cool stuff he would -- with a camera in what you don't give immunity to work we're. -- a little bit about what she's off right after this."

" It's -- here with -- Chirac can handle wired magazine's David says quick tour rundown of the living homes. Exhibit in conjunction with wired magazine where wires taking care of and a more text aspect of the interior and then living houses and next here -- that aspect of singularly."

" Will hold -- came to get a living homes. You know it was founded with the idea of helping people. To have really high and modern looking sustainable green homes and wired has always been about you know design and technology and how they come together. We daughter is a perfect marriage to come together and -- people experience of being able to walk through a home that is the highest and the screen as well as highs and technology. Coca flow thing will go -- Would -- you'll find in the ceilings in the would on the outside the house is also all reclaimed wood so some of the used to be a great sums to the army Ericsson and -- tell -- it on music throughout the house so is somebody actively seeking out places that are about to be. Demolished or taken apart yes trying to find that would in itself is so different -- there. It's not you know depending on the state depending on where you're located there's different sort of sources Ford but if you start to do research and look for you know just. It's just Google searches of reclaimed products that kind of -- you can usually find people. An -- famous you know it used to be junkyard -- pretty -- here today people are doing you know more time and actually you can easily replaced."

" Great thing about this it actually has to flush modes personally is sort of the number one uses less water point nine gallons and then through when you don't forget you press the number two button and and it actually use more -- so lucky to conserve water on you don't need to watch as much that's really great and he's here flew what are your numbers. Yeah when you could try point nine and it doesn't work you -- cause the other benefit of that political thing here is this done. So the real on Fossett. And illustrated that it's got a sensor so I'm water comes out it comes on three to 1530 or sixty seconds you can Jesus that was one and then -- got a little turbine and here's -- the water runs that your clients spends. And generate electricity that charges the battery. Better actually last month nineteen years that -- recharging is different system that uses mineral water when it comes out it's nice and automatic. So here -- some of the green elements. Are on the floor we have. Almost cult Hollywood and actually it's a renewable with the grows back very quickly on the wall we also have some power solar panel facility next to cover the house that provides fifty to 80% electricity. So one of the benefits in California is that we have really high down our prices for energy you've got a lot to privatize energy. Obviously have an abundant sunlight. And the cost for all of gas and heating and all those things is going up so it's kind of creating for the storm makes those channels on a really perfect option right now. And the other thing is just a -- hit on sort hedge against inflation if people are getting older and they say you know my energy prices are guaranteed to go awkward time. When I put in solar panels are locked in a certain -- and Obama's gonna cost me -- provides all the energy I need my house. So now I know my energy costs you're gonna be moving forward so raw and so you know and all those ways. Becomes a good economically as well as a really good free choice you know and now and tell -- your profited and you know all the energy out that you. Using isn't. -- This is an aspect of it on overall most of the furniture and stuff is done is either vintage or around renewable."

" It -- an answering spaced fairly large one cool features despite which is actually me and -- at a time vandalism really renewable resource against nice and light. You can -- hold bamboo forests and three years ago. It's great what you be able to rest use present when used. You got -- right to use that things not. Backers. Bamboo grows so quickly it's a really great resource. He believes. And using in a -- is really innovative it's strong. That's -- out of your. I -- something that's."

" This -- the one room is a couple features in here talking about -- Against core on the wall. On one of the benefits of course is that he needs water resistant microbes -- So on yeah because in my in my questions area. Court is an animal's current form and here we haven't -- wash your bike option adds let's -- sensor technology. On what happens is in the Washington -- that first wash load. On the consent how much dirt came around -- clean it up network. It actually skipper recyclers it wash cycle the water if you wouldn't mind that. No mystery here we have a phone call the building dashboard from the lucid design group. Mom and -- were actually shows the energy usage from the house and real time. You can click and so on a daily weekly or monthly basis -- the two watts of power of the house is using. How much money you're spending ten dollars on the us to watch costing you and him -- and it from me. From the house which is great logging in now sort of where your at. If you say so instead you budget for yourself on and then another really. Benefit is that shows you the difference between how much energy producing solar power how much energy use. You see here this screen that shows that on Monday it was also work and looks like today's. On Tuesday it was you were. Very little so -- a lot of consumption so maybe that means there's something not solar panels that help somebody -- over consumed on Tuesday so why did you certain notes on the house keeps keep track. Carbon emissions answer -- There a couple of dollars for me and connect it from the construction. A lot of hours things -- it possibly -- case and universities but now you know you can check. Picture Bryant and the caller's erection native particle papers down it's actually compress music and that's and page editor covered. Assessments and it's nice partner never knows it but let us down but it actually made of recycled paper."

" Read this this house is gray water capable. Bomb one of the problems in Los Angeles it's tough to get a great water permit to be able -- it actually -- water when great what it means is basically water coming from maybe you're. Clothes -- your laundry system or from mom bathroom -- things that you don't want that tends to come up very clean just gonna be so natural so thin it. On you can usually used as you can -- you plants water the lawn. On one of the concerns of Los Angeles is that people might. Some of the water might contain bacteria that it in fact -- groundwater and things like that so. LA is an extremely conservative about getting great water permits -- when this house does it personally it's rated gallon can use a lot of via the great Waterford -- water resistant plants."

" It means is great water. Is that something that -- through that and so or is it not -- to use one issues specific. Deterred rises and it really depends."

" In the system and -- one of the benefits are one of the things that should happen when you switch to -- waters that you begin to choose to use all organic and you know still some things that you that you know -- environments -- that your -- water is. Honest -- is can be. Under our system that can a lot of very water to be filtered so. -- I've seen some system you know on permitted systems where we'll we'll -- thought to filter it through a layer charcoal or hopefully Tom wood chips and things they can can collect some of the bacteria. Com and also even have a great water go through -- will ban on -- the water you know. Through and maybe you have small lakers you know small small body of water that this the water it's -- and a lot of natural processes can help to. -- water plans. Actually I mean you can have preferred dirty water. What and that's what you've what would happen as you probably filtered through wood chips charcoal and hit the plant assuming it was dirty water but. Normally the want to know -- soaps the you have attended as long as they don't have phosphates and things and they tend to be safe for most plants and plant into a lot of the work. Themselves the automation system that run the house's provided by company cultural war. And what's great is that it controls media throughout the house including radio television music videos. I'm but it also allowed to control the temperature and lighting and -- room house one of the things about the control forces and you don't have to actually rewire my house one of the things that's happened with a lot of automation systems that you need. To run ethernet cable and power cable and all these things to each individual court that you -- house. This one runs off of radio waves -- you all you have to do is make sure it has power. And -- speech activist central systems Sony should really easy wired house very cost effective relative to the other on products on the market so of the product and become either install it easier to use cheaper in price which makes it more accessible. And then when you integrate all the green -- saying I want to make sure my temperature -- a certain range to save energy and make sure my lights throughout the house you know. Are are being controlled that kind of stuff it fits with green and technologies --"

" Like watch -- system doesn't -- for from the -- on the -- with Netflix you can read over 75000. Titles online including lots of HD dvd and Blu-ray titles with free shipping both ways to your home. They now have over forty shipping centers so almost all the -- happen in just one business day. That -- plans start from 499. As a new member you need to -- two week free trial membership you check it out at WWW."

" But Netflix dot com slash system that's SY ST. I'd like a free trial subscription doctor -- journal few weeks off for magazines you information week Internet telephony sound good -- that got a ton of free trials it straight from dot com. And not just -- Macs trying to keep eating or halt completely free -- system Dutch -- post dot com. It's a good added I come up to 70% less than competition -- image includes free hosting and website builder applicable luckily email and much more plus error -- assist one SYS one when you check out and -- an additional 10% on any order. Some restrictions apply see the site for details you can -- of the Internet today yeah."

" So what we're doing is getting world class architects to design."

" Lying homes for us and and we're integrating an extremely. Comprehensive -- certified environmental program. And we're using factory. Production to build these sounds better quicker cheaper was smaller ecological footprints. -- Yeah. -- Why well that are -- Aren't portable."

" It. All. Work and --"

" Are absolutely to point out is like four. Thousand square foot house that was put together and like a lot of them or showcase houses it was packed a lot of high end things like media pricey. Stand where things. You can. And her efforts were merit selection of stem truly sets off living here when one little -- and got Hannity Glenn what happens when it comes up for. Hey you know. -- It's it's it's. Q president when laws that one there to oppose -- the big silent place. Plus it's an interesting idea or anything we're kind of laughing about this but. You know great water recycling is really good idea yeah if if if you have the ability to great water recycling. Then you consume considerably less water or you recycle water that you -- which if you're in LA or or you know Arizona where there's sort of perennial issues with route is is pretty serious thing or it here in Atlanta you've been looking around you know has been large part of last month looking around on. If you go to -- We're gonna have Turkey and all the waterproof toilets from thirty million people the united influx. You know there's there's some really interesting ideas here pre -- home construction is part of a huge movement going on and architecture and it will -- right now because. Building off site pre fabricated construction property in place. Is not only considerably more efficient. With construction but also is no longer is -- instead. There's been a lot of modern design while magazine accident real epicenter. Four you know modern home design you know -- temporary -- design gamers can recover it construction which is enormously efficient. And means you know having an off site facility you really tight job putting in your house and if you gave an important together in place. On and on me on a foundation that you bill. They can be really fast for me -- really easy to you know get the house he wants unique considerably less expensive. That's the thing. This thing."

" And I'm in an almost flawless technology we're talking about is primarily focused on new construction -- blah I don't mean people build new houses right now. But market section action. Or recession is many people who -- my answer is I don't know why that technologies and I felt washer dryer Obama to have it. I mean that was really -- how it actually would since the -- in this of the water after the first cycle than if you really needed a second site. Yes and you've -- I have to spend you know 2003000. Dollars for a washer and dryer. -- from other systems that you know again conserving water use cups of water around and gallons of water movement to make it you know here in San Cisco despite the whole -- you water supplies and water is not cheap. I headed kid we're doing diapers for spend a lot of money on water right now having more efficient. You know washing machine would be really nice on the outside you know what. He got decent weather -- line in the backyards -- lot of electricity. Solar cells are really interesting the stuff that they were showing. My understanding is that there has some power so panels are not that expensive you know big Mac and drop and cried yes. And giving more efficient which is taking forever -- in California is actually probably still some tax credit available now it doesn't help you a lot of accurate non US -- one the other four states. But you know we actually -- gonna pocket what have somebody here and here is San Francisco who's selling back electricity. And I covered a lot of their electrical needs in their home and kind of assistance paid for itself which is a really neat idea you know who doesn't wanna him. -- the man. Never actually -- or you know maybe you need money but you feel like is our emergency -- so and I and it's gonna screw PG&E. Everybody seems obvious picnic you know also if you if you see the prices -- the -- four million dollar house it's 4000 square feet. You know there's a homeless people and overheated emails through more Holmes or inefficient uses and you know what yeah if you don't -- 4000. Square I don't usually built one -- you know what it takes that much more energy -- that much more energy cool right. But on the flip side you know its -- certified liners and stuff a lot of green construction and there are. And a lot of of blog basically a lot of energy saving construction and it is that they're using -- like 36% more efficient and there may be traditional start."

" And -- the four million dollar home threat ad I'd much rather see a rich person is gonna go get a 45000. Square foot Palestinian mind. Kind of make up Portland on the back him. There's a lot of this -- is not realistically attainable -- and I we both agree on that yet but the nice thing is is that actually. In that houses a lot of really good ideas. There's a lot of good principles there's a lot of development house and it actually think about it a little more intelligence than my air conditioning program that."

" Thermostats very smart it's stupid leaders yup all the way -- AC up all the way during. Your house. You can go Home Depot you can buy one for no money. You know solar cells can actually be practical expensive than the twenty year investment probably going to be your home for twenty years. Possibly. You know it's -- it's -- to consider -- people think solar cells and immediately go my entire groups got to have solar cells. Don't think has yet power everything about wraps off solar on and I use solar -- for all level walkways and Mike Gartner panel that's stuff. That saves you money right there -- you know is even more clients you can turn down a lot of these large requirements just to offset other things it's definitely -- mean -- you can do especially you know using you know consuming less water may be I don't. For. Grass that requires more people -- don't need to change the -- human landscape. You know maybe I I look at low flush toilets consuming -- thirty years old like forty. Maybe do something weird requires a decision. Gone water comfort to -- spooky. Stewart composting toilet but -- to work -- that's what it hasn't united I want to and conservation thing but. I mean. To -- that more realistic level let's make people aware of the toilet suck up a lot of water yeah and if you need something simple problem brick in the back of the tanker you milk -- in the back so popular that not to work better or you know steal the break because the brick dust. Toilet that patent. But the first few words but there's a lot of little things you can do you make your homework -- or consumption leisure and consumption and the stuff that's gonna also increase the your home I mean. You know insulate. Them pain unit -- business. Investigators -- lot of interesting things here. You don't necessarily -- spent 49 dollar donors -- ask you don't necessarily have to spend 9000 dollars and software that's monitoring your you know your home you still like out of state. I want to see you really cheap easy version that was design group home export. You can currently they basically differently you know industrial and office buildings spaces apartment buildings that the idea actually monitors and it's something real time. That's really wild. I'm -- doesn't have a teenager that leaves the lights on police force or my wife -- You know can't eternal light -- when -- leaves room without treatment port he'd be leave you internal and often enough -- version there."

" Let you -- other much beautiful moment. The update. For the fifth that in her. Funny. Moment I think in this case. But hey yeah let's -- little excited about it Norton have been around we're in your hands all dirty in the next system episodes going to be surprised with a puzzled over -- in the -- know we've we've learned -- with the main candidates. Well no. It looks."

" I think I got my little I can't get. Yeah what it's. Look like little wonder that everything -- them from their breath dust settled. I don't know what Google us and Canada where's my -- I have to hit colored ones."

" You know decades. They're very."

chuckles

Started discussion: December 31, 2007 @ 4:29pm GMT

Episode 31 [Discussion]

On this episode of (Eco)Systm, we venture out and take a tour of the Wired Magazine/Living Homes Exhibit in LA. This collaborative effort will redefine what we typically think of when we hear of "Prefab" construction. While not in the price range for most of us, this home does offer some options that we all can all take part in.

jmp2071
about 1 year ago

Dave Randolphs laptop

Dave,what model HP laptop do you have? I just bought a DV9408, and kind of regret it. I upgraded to 2gb of ram and it still runs really slow half the time. Do you like the model you got?
frankiethewaffle
about 1 year ago
I thought I'd drop this on this show because it applies.

I learned a lot from the "voltage" show. That is broadly paraphrasing. I just came home wet from snow. Let the dog out and tried to plug in an extension cord that lit the only area not already lit for the dog to find her way and do her dirty sinful business. Little did I know, said dog had chewed the cord right at the plug point where I grab it. I saw a flash and was slammed against the wall. This stuff is bad.

What a better way to ring in a new year. Lucky to have not been electrocuted. I hope this next year doesn't get any worse.
handya
about 1 year ago
one thing that surprised me with that green house was that there was no flushing talk,
a flushing tank, is a tank of water that is connected to your gutters, when it rains, it is filled with water, it then feeds the water to your toilets washing machines and garden. if the tank runs out of water, it automatically switches to mains.
the good thing about this idea is that it can be very cheep to install as it does not require $$ of parts, other than a pump and a tank, which can be found cheaply online or at a scrap yard :)

it also surprised me about your double flush toilet, i thought everyone had one, i cant remember the last time i saw a single flush, must just me where im from :)
nakey
about 1 year ago
Few thoughts and suggestions from me

Dual Flushing is extremly common down here, also the phraise "If it's yellow, let it mellow. if it's brown, flush it down" also helps

4 minute showers. have a little timer (the local water utility company was handing out 4minute sand timers with built in suction cups for use in showers). also, water saving heads save a lot

Full loads. Only do full loads when you do the laundry. saves a lot of water. If your washer has an eco mode, use that too

Rainwater tank for flushing and watering plants. down here, we get a subsidy for getting one installed

Try not to keep greywater for more than 24H, and getting a diverter tube for your washing machine (connects to your washing machine outlet, and is just a long tube) is a good idea

If you use a garden hose, connect a spring-loaded nozzle (like the ones on pistol grip nozzles). saves water but not spraying when you're not using it.

High pressure water cleaner or bucket and sponge to clean and rinse your car. (alternatively, don't wash it)


With Stage 4 water restrictions where i live, some of the things i've said are mandatory....
scooterpenrose
about 1 year ago

What is missing !

Thanks for the show. I enjoyed it.

I found it very enlightening, but unfortunately in a negative way.

Here in Australia my house was built for $300,000 and was built with all recycled wood, at the time (7 years ago) the best of Washing and Dishwashers and fridges around (they are even better now). It has 20 solar panels (1.5Kw) and 880AH 48V battery system. It is also all computer controlled with a second hand embedded PC running Linux - all lights can be timed, turned off centrally etc. It is built with Mudbrick and North facing glass, with folding arm awnings - allowing nice sun in Winter, and shade in Summer.

So it has basically the features of the living home but a fraction of the price.

But the surprise for me was the water...

[LIST]
[*]Toilets in Australia have been dual flush for 25 years
[*]Grey water in Australia is all over the place, and is becoming mandatory in some areas. It is totally safe for plants you don't eat.
[*]If you want to worry about ground water, ban crop spraying, not grey water. Grey water is just your dishes, showers and washing machine.
[*]Rain water tanks for Garden and Drinking are extremely common
[/LIST]

So to see LA having rules about grey water seems insane, and to have dual flush tanks as a feature is just so far behind. And of course the cost was very high, but it was a fairly luxury house, and I am sure bigger than mine (3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house).

BTW. One other thing - even at the cheapest rate, counting interest, you will never pay off a solar system - by all means do it - but do it because you want to be green, not because you want to save money !

Scott
johanr
about 1 year ago
Dual flush toilets has been more rule than exception here in Sweden for 25 years as well! And it's not spooky at all. Try it for a week and you'll feel environmentally handicapped at the other stupid ones.

One thing about the greywater is that the rules for what soaps and cleaning liquids can contain is much more rigid here in Sweden, and for what I've heard also in Australia, than in the US. So that might be a reason for rules about greywater. But the rules should, of course, control cleaners and bleachers instead of the greywater.

But still. To use greywater, especially that from the bathroom sink, and rainwater for flushing the toilet can never be bad for anything!
sirgrant
about 1 year ago
Great episode ended up watching the flash version because my rss reader inserted the new episode but when it trys to DL it via torrent it says it's not authorized with use with the tracker. I'm trying to get the large xvid and was just curious when this will be fixed.
s0nix
about 1 year ago

Energy Consumtion Monitoring Systems

In ep31 I think Patrick said he'd like to see something like that system they were using in the WiredHome for monitoring power consumption but on a cheaper more readily available scale. There's always the Watt's Up (used heavily in the first ecoSystm episode) here's what I found a few months ago (but have yet to order):

http://www.theenergydetective.com/index.html
http://www.save-electricity.ca/

For the TED you install induction sensors on the mains lines coming out of your main panel before the master breaker on the utility side and then wire the unit into a a 15A breaker panel side where it gets its power and transmits it data (powerline data transmission.) Then you just plug the display unit in anywhere and program in your utility rates.

For the PowerCost Monitor you install a sensor on the meter that "reads" the values off of the meter and transmits them wirelessly (RF from the sounds of it) to the receiver/display unit.

I'm thinking more along the lines of the TED myself...They're working on newer systems that will perform automatic load shedding, net metering (ie utility&solar) and now (since I looked at it last) PC linkup for longterm statistics.

-Ryan
AscendedDaniel
about 1 year ago
We got dual flush toilets in our dorms recently. As far as I can tell, the small flush just dilutes whatever's in the bowl, and the full flush is the flush button. Do other people have this problem? I'd like to save water, but sanitation is more important to me.
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