The frosts have finally come and so the next SLA (Sustainable Living Armidale) forum is on home heating. Several speakers will cover the many options from passive solar design and solar heating systems to wood fires and reverse cycle air conditioning.
They will outline the benefits and costs of each system and which is appropriate for which kind of space and what kind of activity. In comparing systems they will consider the quality of the heat, the financial costs and the effects on climate and air pollution.
Come along and add your experience. Meet at 7pm on Thursday, June 2nd at Kent House, opposite Central Park. Discussion will be followed by a light supper and an opportunity for people to talk informally. Gold coin donation appreciated. Everyone is welcome.
My experience, also mentioned during the forum’s open conversation/Make Your Contribution segment after the formal speakers.
The winter of 2016 is the sixth winter I am spending in Armidale (i.e. having arrived in mid-February 2011). My first winter was at Mary White College with a north facing room (which was randomly assigned to me). All subsequent winters have been in a west facing room at Smith House, 100 Barney Street (also randomly assigned to me). Both rooms have been up one storey. All rooms at both properties have hydronic (water-based) heaters.
My temperature management system has involved two components. The first is opening and closing/drawing windows and curtains (note: I have no pelmets). The second is my wearing fluffy soft-boots and/or socks and/or a jumper and/or a robe and/or a scarf and/or a beanie. Cups of hot tea have also assisted.
By undertaking the preceding, I have not needed to turn on any heater. Having grown up with an unflued heater, it is plain to me that refraining from using a heater has improved my health, my concentration, the quality of my work, my stamina etc. I also save on the consumption of materials and save money for the property owners. There is a certain satisfaction which comes with these latter outcomes.
Should a similar forum be held in the lead up/at the beginning of next year’s winter, I would be only too happy to share my story at the outset. I believe this will remind attendees that: (a) we are – and always will be – responsible for our actions and inactions; and (b) ultimately, it is what is done that matters (rather than, for example, what is known). Of course, I am thankful that I had an opportunity to speak my piece at the forum on Thursday, and write it (more comprehensively) here.
Best wishes and regards,
Tom (Livanos).
tom.369@hotmail.com
Armidale, New South Wales.
Thursday 4 June 2016.
The Today show had a short segment on: “How to avoid freezing this winter”. It covers some of the issues discussed at the forum and shows double sided tape being put on a window frame to install a secondary glazing film (which is then shrunk with a hair dryer to make it almost invisible) https://www.9now.com.au/today/2016/clip-ciow9ri1p00240lpkx4d75e1a/a338b154-8393-4cb6-8a21-f13bb83bc78f Definitely worth watching!
A copy of the slides from last night’s talk plus some other useful info is available at http://woodsmoke.3sc.net/files/SLA_energyforum_June2016.pdf Feedback welcome!