Category: Appropriate Technology
Electrical Branch Circuit Design Guide
Overcurrent Protection Device, Wiring, and End-Use Equipment Design and Selection for AC and DC Circuits Electrical branch circuits? What does that have to do with the design and development of sustainable human habitats?!? In our Introduction to Appropriate Energy, we present a process for designing efficient (and thus cheaper and more ecologically-sound) energy systems for…
Moving Electricity
Appropriate electrical energy systems for moving water, people, animals, materials, refrigerant, and air around a homestead.
Moving Things
Appropriate energy systems for moving water, people, animals, materials, refrigerant, and air around a homestead.
Vetiver Grass 101: The Regenerative Super Plant
Vetiver grass is an amazing ecological ally for repairing and healing erosion-damaged landscapes. Vetiver can grow almost anywhere, produces tons of useful biomass, and initiates healing of degraded landscapes. Learn the basics about this amazing plant and its many potential applications in this post.
Moving Heat
In the Introduction to Appropriate Energy, energy is defined as the ability to do work. There are three jobs that energy typically performs: moving heat, moving things, and moving electricity. This article delves into the moving heat function that energy serves. Examples of various techniques and specific elements are provided to illustrate different ways to…
Living with Fire – Part 4 Integrating Fire Into Daily Life (Again)
Living with Fire is a 4-part series presenting a new paradigm regarding fire – one in which we celebrate fire’s necessary ecological role, and design for a healthy relationship with it. The earlier parts of this series are: What if we chose to view nature’s gift of annually-replenishing fixed carbon sources (i.e. chaparral brush) in…
Introduction to Appropriate Energy
Three step process for designing appropriate energy systems for a regenerative future.
Nutrient Cycling For Homesteads – Part 6: Charcoal And Biochar
Learn what biochar is, how it is different from charcoal, how to make biochar yourself and apply it in your garden, farm or livestock operation.
Nutrient Cycling For Homesteads – Part 5: Fermented Plant Juice
Make your own garden superfood with Fermented Plant Juice. DIY, low/no cost, powerful growth boosters for your home garden.
Nutrient Cycling For Homesteads – Part 4: Thermophilic Composting
Simple DIY thermophilic composting instructions for homestead scale composters. 18 Day Berklee Hot Compost method for quick compost.
Nutrient Cycling For Homesteads – Part 3: Compost Tea
Welcome to Nutrient Cycling For Homesteads! This post series covers the many ways you can build fertility, create soil, cycle nutrients and take responsibility for “waste” streams on your property. These systems all integrate with one another to increase resilience, improve nutrition (for soil and humans) and save dollars. The posts are written from our…
Nutrient Cycling For Homesteads – Part 2: Bokashi Compost Systems
Welcome to Nutrient Cycling For Homesteads! This post series covers the many ways you can build fertility, create soil, cycle nutrients and take responsibility for “waste” streams on your property. These systems all integrate with one another to increase resilience, improve nutrition (for soil and humans) and save dollars. The posts are written from our…
