Waste, Water and Energy

Water, Waste and Energy

Servicing a new movable or off-grid building with the necessary amenities to make it a comfortable space can be challenging. The Nomad Cabin can usually be linked up to an existing electrical system and connected to a mains sewer with ease, but this isn’t always possible or appropriate, meaning it is sometimes necessary to consider an offgrid system. To aid this transition, there is a wave of exciting new green technologies being brought to market.

At Out of the Valley, we promote the use of renewable energy alongside the Nomad Cabins and feel it is important that clients consider the benefits of solar power, rainwater harvesting, composting toilets and grey water recycling. We can offer guidance on these elements during the design process.

ELECTRICITY

1. Solar power 1.

This is an affordable and efficient way to power your Nomad Cabin. These can be fitted directly to the roof of the cabin and more panels can be added to 2. Hyrdo electric generator A viable option for generating electricity locally if there is easy access to a water course in the vicinity of the cabin. 3. Wind turbine Small wind turbines provide another opportunity to borrow energy from nature and use it to power the electrical elements of an off-grid cabin.

increase capacity in the system. Electricity from an off-grid source will usually need to feed into a charge controller. 2. The charge controller feeds into a battery bank which will store the energy produced by the system. 3. It may be necessary to use an inverter to change the 12v power to 240v in order to power some devices or use particular light fittings.

1. 3. Surface water is captured from the roof of the cabin. It may also be possible to use a well or a bore hole. Rainwater can be sent directly to feed plants and possibly to fill the cistern of the toilet. 2. 4. Water can be stored in an

WATER

appropriate tank or bladder. Water is filtered to reduce levels of harmful impurities. 5. The clean water is pumped up to a header tank ready to be used.

HOT WATER System 1

1. Solar thermal panels can be used to preheat water going into another system. 2. Preheated water is fed into an electric immersion heater. It is possible to power this water heater through solar electricity. 3. The heated water may need to be pressurised via a pump system to feed the appliances in the cabin

HOT WATER System 2

1. Propane gas is an easy and reliable way to heat water for the use in the cabin. 2. Water can be fed directly from the header tank into the Rinnai tankless water heater.

WASTE WATER

1. There is a large selection of compost toilets available. We can help you choose the correct one for your cabin and needs. 2. Surface water can be fed directly to a soakaway. Grey water needs to be passed through a separate treatment process - either a certified grey water recycling system or a package sewage treatment plan - so we recommend using a dry compost system!

Out of the Valley offices Teign Valley, Devon