How to Green your House from the Outside In

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Job Webster
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1 Downtown Market Class How to Green your House from the Outside In A Permaculture Design In Progress with Liz Lonetti July 5, 2008 Downtown Phoenix Public Market Mtg Rm 721 N Central Ave

3 Approx. 7 miles

4 Simple Steps toward Sustainability Glendale Avenue 12th Street 11th Street

5 Simple Steps toward Sustainability Glendale Avenue 12th Street 11th Street

6 11th Street

7 11th Street

9 What is Sustainable Living? A. Living within Earth's limits B. Reducing our impact on the earth's resources C. Making lifestyle and consumer choices to limit our use of resources D. Living more simply E. Taking care of nature so nature can take care of us F. Meeting our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs G. Creating a balance between our natural systems, our economic system and our social system H. All of the above

10 Simple Steps toward Sustainability The Goals for Lonetti Home: Be the change - Be Good Stewards Be Good Neighbors Have fun Evolve thru Education

11 Where to Start? Why at the beginning of course. It s a very good place to start.

12 Where to Start?

13 Where to Start? Salt River Valley Canal

14 Area History 700s Hohokam engineer canal systems 1400s Hohokam abandon area and original canals 1500s Conquistadors invade 1860s Central AZ Gold Rush (rebirth of canals) 1884 Start of the Arizona Canal by W. J. Murphy 1887 First train arrives in Phoenix 1889 First commercial orange grove 1892 Farmer's Canal completed 1895 Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix Railroad provides linkage to transcontinental routes Arizona Improvement Co. ships boxcars loaded with fruit to the East 1920s Working Citrus Orchards in Arcadia District 1946 CAP Association formed 1950 John F. Long develops residential neighborhood 2007 Dan and Liz move in! Timeline courtesy of Phoenix Museum of History

15 Lessons from History We live in an Extreme Desert Climate Ancient Human Culture thrived here for 700 yrs then abandoned area (during severe drought?) Water Management Key to Life in Desert With Water Crops and Orchards flourish Resources are limited

16 Theory Defined Permaculture permanent & (agri)culture

17 Theory Defined Permaculture A design science rooted in observation of natural systems.

18 Theory Defined Permaculture 1. Care of the earth 2. Care of the people 3. Accepting limits to population and consumption

19 Seven Principles of Permaculture Conservation - Use only what is needed. Stacking functions - In permaculture we speak about getting many yields (outputs) from one element (thing) in your system. Repeating functions - We meet every need in multiple ways. Reciprocity - Utilize the yields of each element to meet the needs of other elements in the system. Appropriate scale - What we design should be on a human scale and doable with the available time, skills, and money Diversity - We want to create resilience by utilizing many elements. Give away the surplus - Create systems that are abundant and share the abundance rather than hoarding it for ourselves. Paraphrased from:

20 Seven Principles of Permaculture Examples: Kitchen scraps > compost pile > fertilizer for garden > food from garden > kitchen scraps A Tree provides: shade, shelter wildlife, mulch and building materials, wind break, fertilize the soil, prevent erosion, raise the water table, Food, Beauty, etc. Water available via: Municipal Supply, Rainwater, Greywater, Wells & Cisterns

21 Seven Principles of Permaculture Examples: Kitchen Scraps> Chickens> Fertilizer, Eggs, Feathers, Weed & Bug Control, Meat (optional), Entertainment

22 The Site Design Process 1. Research/analyze the site 2. Create the site design 3. Implement the site design Paraphrased from: ww.heathcote.org/pcintro/1sustainableliving.htm

23 Research & Analyze Sustainable Easy Stuff (almost free): Use compact fluorescent lights. Reduce & Reuse & Recycle Turn off the water during teeth brushing, dish washing, and face washing or shaving. Turn off lights when not in use. Unplug electronics and appliances when not being used. Insulate Water Heater Curb Junk Mail. Hang out Laundry. Close your blinds during day Buy local whenever possible

24 Research & Analyze Sustainable More $ Stuff (< $1,000): Use Greywater Harvest Rainwater Replace Turf with Low Water Use ground covers like clover, dichondra and lippia Use Native Plants, especially trees for shade Grow some of your own food Insulate your attic Replace some concrete with plants/mulch Install a Programmable Thermostat Use natural remodeling products Buy and use a comfortable bicycle Use Mass Transit Install Ceiling Fans

25 Research & Analyze Sustainable Most $ Stuff (+ $1,000): Replace Asphalt Shingles with non toxic alternatives: metal, clay, concrete, etc. Install Solar Water Heater Replace Single Pane Windows with more energy efficient Dual Pane Install Solar Panels Replace appliances with Energy Star (can be much less $ if using Craig s list) Install SEER 14 or higher AC Install Energy Efficient Heater Install Evaporative Cooler Add Wall Insulation

26 Research & Analyze Identify characteristics of the site Topography, climate, soils, water, flora, fauna, infrastructure, etc. Analyze the human element Who lives here and what do they need? Analyze incoming energies Sunlight, wind, water, traffic Analyze according to zones Low to high use zones Analyze needs and yields of the site's elements Consumption VS Production Paraphrased from:

27 Site Characteristics 65 x 115 lot, 15 Alley, 30 Front, 40 Back, Side

28 Site Characteristics 65 x 115 lot, 15 Alley, 30 Front, 40 Back, Side Good Bones: Soil ok Lots of Trees Irrigated Lot Great Neighbors (history) Good orientation carport on south Decent Massing - Block House Plenty of Yard Space

29 Site Characteristics 65 x 115 lot, 15 Alley, 30 Front, 40 Back, Side Needs Improvement Hot spot on back patio Oleanders Energy Efficiency/Generation Lots of Grass Old furnace AC only Inefficient Water Heater Trees at end of lifespan

30 Site Characteristics - Existing Trees

31 Site Characteristics - Infrastructure

32 Site Characteristics - Infrastructure

33 Site Characteristics - Infrastructure

34 Human Element 65 x 115 lot, 15 Alley, 30 Front, 40 Back, Side Specific Needs to Consider Eyes to the Street Privacy between Neighbors Continuity of Streetscape trees! Dogs Educational Opportunities Fresh produce produced

35 Incoming Energies - Water

36 Incoming Energies - Water Assumes 8 yearly rainfall

37 Incoming Energies - Water Water Strategies: Capture and store the water on site. Use water as many times as possible in the system. Conserve water as much as possible. Release water from the system clean.

38 Incoming Energies - Sun Considerations: Grows plants Keeps me happy (not SAD) Vitamin D production Heating Thermal Massing Solar Panels Solar Water Heater Shading

39 Incoming Energies - Sun

40 Incoming Energies - Sun

41 Incoming Energies - Sun

42 Incoming Energies - Wind Consideration: Not huge problem in neighborhood Keep brittle tree types away from home Trim branches of existing trees Keep carport open to attract breezes for home Potential for turbine power

43 Incoming Energies - Wind

44 Zones 1. Visit Multiple times daily 2. Visit Once Daily 3. Visit Weekly 4. Visit Monthly

45 Zones

46 New Site Plan

47 New Tree Plan

48 Phase 1 Planting and Other North Side Urban Orchard Front Gardens & Trellis Grapes Planted Apple Orchard Mesquite Trees Planted South Side Urban Orchard Easy Green Stuff Evap Cooler (Craig s list $100) Shade Sail over Patio (CL) Washer outside for greywater harvesting (Estate Sale) Ceiling Fans Energy Efficient Fridge Insulated Attic (CL)

49 Phase 2 New Roof & Solar Chickens! More trees Expand Garden Beds New Furnace/Heat Pump Metal Roof Solar

50 Phase 3 Windows R Values for: 1 Single Pane 4 Double Pane 20 Superglass

51 Cost Effective Insulation R Values Adapted from the US Energy 1997 Insulation Fact Sheet If you live in a climate that is... and your heating / ac system is b insulate to these levels in the ceiling woodframe wall floor basement/ crawl space walls d Mixed with moderate heating and cooling requirements gas/oil or heat pump electric resistance or AC R-38 R-49 R-11 to R-22 c R-11 to R-26 c R-13 TO R- 25 R-25 R-11 to R-19 R-11 to R-19 c. R-values may be achieved through a combination of cavity insulation and rigid board insulation and are for insulation only (not whole wall). d. Do not insulation crawl space walls if crawl space is wet or ventilated with outdoor air.

52 Cost Effective Insulation R Values If you live in a climate that is... and your heating / ac system is b gas/oil or heat pump electric resistance or AC R Values for Lonetti House insulate to these levels in the ceiling = 31.5 R-49 Mixed with moderate heating and cooling requirements woodframe wall Concrete block 1.61 R-11 to R-26 c floor NA R-25 basement/ crawl space walls d NA R-11 to R-19 c. R-values may be achieved through a combination of cavity insulation and rigid board insulation and are for insulation only (not whole wall). d. Do not insulation crawl space walls if crawl space is wet or ventilated with outdoor air.

53 2007 Front Yard

54 2007 Front Yard

55 2007 Front Yard

56 2007 North Side Yard

57 2007 Back Patio

58 2007 Rear Yard

59 2007 Carport

60 Spring 2008 Front Yard Garden

61 Summer 2008 Front Yard

62 Spring 2008 North Side Yard

63 Summer 2008 North Side Yard

64 2007 Dec. Oleander Removal

65 Spring 2008 South Side

66 Summer 2008 South Side

67 Summer 2008 South Side

68 Summer 2008 South Side

69 Spring 2008 Apple Orchard

70 Summer 2008 Apple Orchard

71 Trouble

72 Trouble

73 Consumer Pattern Thinking Mindless Consumption Easily Thrown Away Path of Scarcity

74 Permaculture Thinking Educated Decision Making There is no Away Path to Abundance

75 Resources

76 Questions Insulation for your Home 01/How-To-Choose-the-Best-Insulation-for-Your- Home.aspx 01/How-to-Insulate-Your-Attic-and-Save-Money-Yearround.aspx Energy/ /Simple-Insulation-Ideas-and- Tips.aspx

77 Insulation Dictionary: R-value (är'văl'yū) n. A measure of the capacity of a material, such as insulation, to impede heat flow, with increasing values indicating a greater capacity.

78 1-2-3 Rule Questions - Watering In general, the smaller the plant, the less shallow the root system. The deeper the roots, the less often you ll need to water. The table below is based on using typical clay loam soil found in the Phoenix area. Sandy soil will need more water, heavy clay less. For example: A tree that has a 2 ft. canopy would need 12 gallons of water to soak it to a depth of 3 feet. Basically the roots are: One Foot Deep for small perennials, vegetables and annual flowers Two Feet Deep for shrubs and large groundcovers Three Feet Deep for large shrubs and trees

79 Questions Local Metal Roof Resources -MESA -Tuscon - local sales staff, raw steel metal roofing -Phoenix - Mesa, I'm unsure if they sell to home owners

80 Questions Dichondra is a warm season ground cover that grows close to the ground. It has broad, almost circular leaves and when mown low establishes a thick dense carpet look. Originally a weed, it is now used in many ground cover situations where normal grasses may not do as well. It has a bright green color and a cushion feel underfoot.

81 Questions - Dichondra Photo

82 Questions Lippia - Phyla nodiflora Thick growing, low ground cover with white/pinkish flowers. Will take root from stems and cover large areas. Used as a lawn replacement or on banks etc. Will take semi shade to full sun conditions. Waterwise once established.

83 Questions Lippia Photo

84 Questions Desert Watering Strategies General Watering tips: rden/greenthumb/ html (Following Chart is excerpt from this page) m/watering_desert_vegetables How much water does my tree need? -az-plant-lists/

85 Questions Desert Watering Strategies Ollas: sions-of-an-urban-homesteader/waterconservation-methods/ Mulch Pits and other constructs: Available in Gaia s Garden and Brad Lancaster s Rainwater Harvesting Manuals

86 Questions Desert Bush Tomatoes Common Names & Species: Bush Tomato (Solanum centrale) also called Desert raisin, Desert tomato. Other species such as S. chippendalei and S. ellipticum also produce edible fruit and are of interest to the native foods industry. Native To: Central Australia (SA, WA & NT) in areas of 150 to 300 mm rainfall. /bushtomatoes.htm

87 Questions Are Permaculture Designers available to work with me & my site? The PC Guild is working on putting together a project team that will be available to assist you in designing your permaculture site. We will have more information available on the Permaculture web site when this service is available.

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