Hi, I’m working on a page for the /c/writing worldbuilding resource wiki on “High Context Living” and I’m hoping some of you might have good examples/stories!
My working definition at the moment is “the sort of custom, DIY systems favored by offgrid homesteaders and people without other options, which trade user-facing complexity and unique quirks/challenges for significant efficiency and lower cost in parts and materials.”
It’s probably easier just to share the zine that named the concept (included below with permission of the creator (who wished to remain anonymous)).
For extra complexity I plumbed a heat exchanger from a wood stove to the solar powered electric water heater too!
That sounds like a fairly elaborate rig! I don’t want to pry into your location but what kind of seasons/temperatures were you dealing with and did you have to do anything to keep from overheating the water lines? Could you connect and disconnect the stove?
Halifax or Toronto mostly during my winters. So down to - 25°c a few times but the average is more around - 10 or so.
To prevent overheating I was constantly pumping water through the coil that was got imbedded in cement. Heat loss once you reach shower water temps was enough to regulate it even if the stove was cooking all day. I can also remove the coil assembly from the stove during maintenance.
I also have a diesel heater and a few electric ones too since I’m usually at a de-iced dock when the water freezes but most of my heating is done using compressed pine bricks that is made with the waste from a nearby moulding company.
Edit : This was the coil assembly in an aluminum frame with stove cement before I had it mounted to the stove.