Something old, something new, something borrowed
Last weekend we went to another building exhibition. It was not very exciting to pay 12 euros (each) for seeing companies advertising and selling their services and products to you.... I rather find the companies that I am interested in myself.
Anyway, we had change talk to a company that provides the machinery and the pipes for 'ground source heat'. It basically means that you lay about 400 metres of pipes in the ground underneath and around the house and collect energy to heat the house. You still need some electricity to operate the machine but even in winter the ground heat system is efficient enough to provide with all the heat you need (no frozen toes here!!!). If you purchase the slightly more expensive piece of kit, there is also a possibility to join some solar panels as part of the heating system!
How wicked is that- house with its own energy sources! (And so I proudly show my middle finger to oil companies and the politics that go with the trade. Up yours, Bush!)
As I have said before, for me the only way I can reason the fact that we are building a new house, is that we make the house energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Yes, the ground source heat system is more expensive to start with than for example electrical heating system but in the long run, it will be more economical and better for the environment.
For insulation, we will probably opt for Ekovilla (www.ekovilla.fi) that is made from recycled paper. For sealing windows flax seems like a brilliant idea. (http://www.isolina.com/gb/default.cfm)
I hope we can also follow the same ideology when it comes to furnishing the house. Since I was a teenager I have been fond of old (1950-1960s) furniture which I am hoping to incorporate into the design of the new house somehow. I am hoping to create atmospheric house with something old and something new- house that reflects our life and who were are. Not only is it a decorative choice but as an artist Susanna Salonen ( www.uusio.fi) points out if using and 'pimping up' old furniture is something ,we should consider just for the sake of environment. Have a look at her website for stuff that she has done with old furniture (she welcomes you to freely use and copy her ideas - so give your furniture a new glamorous life!). Also I came across this place in Tampere, Finland that prepares and sells old lamps and light fittings http://www.kotiposti.net/reliala/ .
Anyway, we had change talk to a company that provides the machinery and the pipes for 'ground source heat'. It basically means that you lay about 400 metres of pipes in the ground underneath and around the house and collect energy to heat the house. You still need some electricity to operate the machine but even in winter the ground heat system is efficient enough to provide with all the heat you need (no frozen toes here!!!). If you purchase the slightly more expensive piece of kit, there is also a possibility to join some solar panels as part of the heating system!
How wicked is that- house with its own energy sources! (And so I proudly show my middle finger to oil companies and the politics that go with the trade. Up yours, Bush!)
As I have said before, for me the only way I can reason the fact that we are building a new house, is that we make the house energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Yes, the ground source heat system is more expensive to start with than for example electrical heating system but in the long run, it will be more economical and better for the environment.
For insulation, we will probably opt for Ekovilla (www.ekovilla.fi) that is made from recycled paper. For sealing windows flax seems like a brilliant idea. (http://www.isolina.com/gb/default.cfm)
I hope we can also follow the same ideology when it comes to furnishing the house. Since I was a teenager I have been fond of old (1950-1960s) furniture which I am hoping to incorporate into the design of the new house somehow. I am hoping to create atmospheric house with something old and something new- house that reflects our life and who were are. Not only is it a decorative choice but as an artist Susanna Salonen ( www.uusio.fi) points out if using and 'pimping up' old furniture is something ,we should consider just for the sake of environment. Have a look at her website for stuff that she has done with old furniture (she welcomes you to freely use and copy her ideas - so give your furniture a new glamorous life!). Also I came across this place in Tampere, Finland that prepares and sells old lamps and light fittings http://www.kotiposti.net/reliala/ .
posted by Jen @ Tuesday, April 10, 2007
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