https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/ Building science knowledge, HVAC design, & fun Tue, 21 Dec 2021 01:07:13 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/#comment-1651 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 02:11:50 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home#comment-1651 John,  

John,  
A grey water system like that is fine for meat eaters too. This is something that I’ve been experimenting with. I’m no vegetarian but there is very little animal fat getting washed down my drains. In fact, there is very little soap or any kind of food residue that gets washed down my drains. As a Nutritionist who is very skilled in chemistry, I’ve been able to adjust my household food production and dishwashing practices to make all that a non-issue. You could learn to do the same too. So, if animal fats in your dishwater is a concern, my response built from my personal experience is that a lifestyle change is in order rather than a plumbing change. Something to think about. Anyone can take a perfectly sustainable solution and make it not work by abusing it. BTW: no my animal fats are not getting tossed out in the trash either. I eat it ALL!

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/#comment-1650 Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:24:55 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home#comment-1650 Daniel: If
Daniel: If you click the link at the end of the article, you can download the proposal I submitted. You should find a lot of your questions answered there.

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/#comment-1649 Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:23:01 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home#comment-1649 How deep were your mulch beds
How deep were your mulch beds? Did you have any calculations you used to decide how many feet of pipe/buckets/depth of mulch beds you would need based on the amount of expected outflow?

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/#comment-1648 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 00:39:23 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home#comment-1648 Allison, 

Allison, 
 
The only reservation I’d have about a general greywater distribution system like this one is that it seems fine to me only if you’re a vegetarian household.  
 
On the other hand, discharging dishwater into the ground that contains animal fat residue (when your family consists of carnivores) is problematic, for the same reason you’re ill-advised to compost animal fat: Because animal fat contains certain pathogens that remain in the soil, and are not good for your plantings. 
 
So was just wondering if you had any opinions on that, or had considered that when you were doing your research. Otherwise, the physical design of your system looks great!  
 
~John

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/#comment-1647 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:22:45 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home#comment-1647 Christopher
Christopher: Thanks. Yeah, I have to write about something besides building envelopes and HVAC every once in a while. 
 
Ken: The permitting process can be interesting. It might go smoothly if you get the right people to deal with, or it might become nearly impossible. 
 
jak: I’d love to see more biogas digesters out there. It’s a great way to get rid of organic waste, even stuff that you can’t (or don’t want to) put in a compost pile, and it gives you fuel.

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/#comment-1646 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 07:39:01 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home#comment-1646 Why is it that nobody does
Why is it that nobody does biogas generators? I just looked at a house that was off-grid and has a 4 panel solar PV system for summer and a microhydro system for winter. But the bulk of the energy comes from a propane tank. The stove and refrigerator are both propane fired. The builder put in a septic tank. He could have put in a biogas digester and gone completely carbon free.

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/#comment-1645 Sat, 21 May 2011 05:31:04 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home#comment-1645 Thanks Bro. An interesting
Thanks Bro. An interesting read, the pictures make it very helpful to understand the process. I am considering this type of system when I’m ready to build in Texas one day. I just hope the State will be open to permiting!

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home/#comment-1644 Fri, 20 May 2011 18:14:44 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=how-to-install-a-branched-drain-greywater-system-in-a-green-home#comment-1644 Great piece. It is good to
Great piece. It is good to get a nice shift into other green technologies other than “energy” work. Looks like a good system.

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