Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Finally! Good News on New Secret Hidden Bunker...

...we closed the loan yesterday, ending a year-long forced march ulcer-inducing process to build an off-grid house. The most amazing thing to me is that the New Improved Secret Hidden Bunker actually works. The solar system is easily generating enough electricity to keep things moving along pretty well. The key point is that my Sweetie and I began paring down our lifestyle a couple of years ago, which, because we are a childless couple, wasn't that large to begin with.

As I made clear to subcontractors again and again, our intent was never to move back to the 19th Century, and I figure Mother Gaia can't get along pretty well without our help. Instead, we wanted to maintain a pared down modern lifestyle...that means television (my profession, as it happens), a coffeemaker, computers, the Internet and, yes, even a phone! And a shooting range.

As I've outlined before, electricity is from PV panels and a bank of sealed batteries, backed up with a Generac propane generator designed specifically for off-grid operation. The generator is designed to kick on when the battery level reaches a certain point. All household appliances were chosen specifically for off-grid. We went with a conventional, extremely energy efficient refrigerator — no ice-maker, no water dispenser, with the freezer on top to allow the cold to "trickle down." It's about half the size of our previous 2-door stainless steel model.

The stove is a Unique, propane-driven and with no connection to the grid. The stove "fires" thanks to a 9-volt battery. No clock; no timer. Washer and dryer are conventional super-high efficiency front loaders. The dryer is propane. There's a dishwasher, again, chosen for its frugal use of electricity.

Computers are Apple and all on power strips to eliminate "phantom" use. All of the light in the house have been converted to LED bulbs (expensive little buggers!) augmented with Solartube-type skylights in the darker area. Water is from an 800-foot well feeding 2 1275-gallon cisterns build into the crawlspace under the house. Heat/hot water is from a dual-tier propane system I designed. The systems are totally separate to avoid a "cascading" failure. System 1 is a propane tank feeding the home heating system  — underfloor radiant heat — and a conventional propane hot water heater for the kitchen and guest bathroom. That system also provides prom=pane for the generator. The second system provides propane for a 3-sided fireplace/heater and the super-efficient on-demand hot water heater for the master bath.

The new Bunker is south-facing with tile floors for thermal mass in the winter and cool in the summer. House is built with appropriate overhangs to shield the south-facing windows in the summer. There are high ceilings with clerestory windows for air circulation. For summer cooling, in addition to the design of the house, we have ceiling fans. In the bedroom, we popped for a Big Ass Fan, the most energy efficient fan on earth. There are energy star fans in the great room and my office.

My Sweetie designed the house specifically for the property...there is only one window on the side facing the prevailing winter winds, and that is a small, high window in the laundry room. The bedroom/master bath is position the farthest from the prevailing winds. Internet is through line-of-sight to a towner about 5 miles away. We have pretty good cell service, but I'm putting in a booster/repeater next week.

Yet to be done (read, we ran out of money) are a wind turbine, which will hopefully be in place before winter; solar hot water heating on both water systems, which I'm hoping we can hammer into place next summer, and gray water capture for the presently non-existant landscaping.

I'd love to show you guys pictures, but...OPSEC. I was appalled a couple of years ago when I found an Internet site with "directions to Michael Bane's Secret Hidden Bunker." Cute. There is no public access to the new Bunker, and I have overview of the only road from my new office.

BTW, I will be writing a series of articles on the off-grid experiment/experience for the Cheaper Than Dirt newsletter...I'll post the links when I have them!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ouch...you didn't go 18th or even 19th century. You went full Al Gore. You obviously ain't been anywhere near West Virginia real off grid. When that EMP comes your gonna have an uncomfortable winter.

George said...

So it is safe to say if you see anyone coming down that road, you know they are coming to see you or they are lost.

Anonymous said...

Hey Michael - congratulations on the new digs.

Why don;t you call it the Super Secret Hidden Bunker to differentiate it from the old Secret Hidden Bunker?

Take care.

Guy

kmitch200 said...

Sounds awesome!!
Any problems crop up, just throw massive handfuls of cash at them.
(not that I'm telling you anything new)

Awtha said...

ok, so no 8x10 glossy's with google sat links - we unna'stand. How about some inside shots? You know how jealous we all are! & isn't it true the REAL reason you had to build a new house was because you ran out of room for all you hats & vests???

Anonymous said...

Any firefighting capabilities? Sprinklers?

And gun ports? :-)

Anonymous said...

What size LPG tank do you have?

I think that I would have opted for a diesel powered generator - bigger cost on the front end but operating fuel costs would offset; not to mention the difference in volatility between LPG and diesel.

- Crawler

Anonymous said...

Sounds awesome MB !
I'm looking forward to seeing the off grid articles.
Especially on how the wind turbine works out in winter weather.
Tom Bogan
Laconia NH

CharlieFoxtrot said...

Would think a good woodstove would be a nice addition.

Jason Crotteau said...

I am total agreement with the LED lights. I replaced every bulb in our house with LED. Yes EXPENSIVE. However I saw a 30% reduction in our electrical usage by doing it. So the cost of all the bulbs was actually offset within 2 months of installation. Now if I can just find the time to get my out buildings finished....

Eric said...

I vote for Double Secret Hidden Bunker!

Flash Powder Hal said...

LED bulbs - Home Depot has the CREE LED 40 - 60watt output bulbs for $5.99.

I switched my whole house over.

Michael Bane said...

A low-RPM backup diesel generator is definitely on the list...I wish the India-built Lister engines were a little better made. The garage/reloading emporium will have a wood stove by winter. In a pinch, it can be moved into the house. Working on electrical issues...genie is pretty well shielded...

mb

kmitch200 said...

I think propane for a genny is a smart choice.
It never goes bad and cost per gallon in my neighborhood is actually cheaper. I freely admit I don't know what costs are around the country.

Unknown said...

MB: Very interesting read on your new home. Your "better half" must be one fantastic designer. How big is the gas storage tank(s)? Why conventional water heater vs. tankless? I look forward to the article!

Anonymous said...

we built your house in Texas 30 years ago but we lack a strong cell signal. Where did you find someone who could deliver a repeater that works?

Anonymous said...

Now your totally dependent on propane. What if there is a propane shortage. What if you can't get, or transport propane to your location. Your screwed. You should have moved to Prescott, Arizona. You spend much of your time there. Plus, your older now. You should be in a big city near a hospital in case of a heart attack, or stroke.