Solar water heaters vary in design, efficiency, capacity and price, but they all replace a good chunk of the gas or electricity used to heat water with clean, free sunlight. The three basic designs all have a way to collect heat, a tank to store hot water, backup heating for when your system cant keep up and a circulation system.

Batch collector water heaters heat water in tubes or pipes, usually painted black to collect more of the suns heat. Cold water can be mixed in periodically to keep water from getting too hot. These heaters are best suited for warmer climates. Where freezing might be an issue, theyll need to be drained during cold months to avoid damage to the system.

Flat-plate collectors rely on a metal plate, often painted black, to soak up the suns heat. Heat travels from the plate to water-filled tubes. The water cycles through heating tubes to and from the storage tank, keeping the stored water hot.

Evacuated tube collectors are the most efficient models out there. Water is heated in a tube thats surrounded by a larger, vacuum-sealed glass tube. Very little heat is lost because theres no air between the heating liquid and the outside world.

Solar water heaters can heat water directly or indirectly. In indirect heaters, the...

This article shines a light on four commonly employed structural systems in bamboo construction:

The support system of a post and beam structure is composed of three key elements: vertical posts, horizontal beams, and cross-bracing. The latter helps to triangulate the structure, enhancing its stability against lateral loads such as winds and seismic forces. Usually, round bamboo poles serve as the backbone of these structural systems. The result is a structure that is not only sturdy but also visually appealing.

The process often requires skilled craftsmanship to carve and assemble various types of joints, including fish mouth joints and angle joints.  A simple bolted joint, for instance, can be used in this structural system to alleviate some of the manual labor. When used alongside mortar for grouting, this type of joint has proven to be incredibly strong.

Nowadays, we even see the use of 3D-printed inserts that mimic the function of fish mouths. These inserts can be placed into cleanly...

This environmentally friendly house was built with durable, empty bags filled with raw earth. The structure employed rice bags with local soil from the site (with additives), along with barbwire acting as tensile strength. Earthen plaster was then applied to the exterior for a smooth finish.

Earthbag construction has remarkable strength and longevity. It can be fashioned in innumerable design shapes, easy to build with, energy efficient, engenders very cool interiors, and is non-toxic. We can augment this with being mostly water, bullet, and sound proof. The system is also fire, hurricane, earthquake and insect resistant.

This simple, but comfortable, abode belongs to Nicola Shirley-Philips and her family in St Thomas, Jamaica. They actively contribute to the conservation and preservation of our planet.

The building has electricity generated by wind turbines, along with its own rainwater catchment area. A kitchen garden is right outside nourishing the occupants with fruits of their organic and natural gardening.

You can read the original article at jamaica-gleaner.com