The Rural Voice, 1980-11, Page 12of styrofoam, which means an increase in
R -value.
THE R -VALUE JUMPS
Without the Styrofoam, the R -value of
the bricks is 8, but after adding the white
spongy product that value can jump to
anywhere from 14 to 18. (R -value is a heat
protecting measure of an insulator).
An additional benefit of the Durisol
bricks is that they are fire resistant. That
translates into further savings. "You get
a cut in insurance because you're not
using heat lamps and they don't burn,"
notes Mr. Keller.
"When you have a building you have to
try to conserve as much heat as possible
from your animals," he added. "That can
be done with proper vents."
Once the walls are up, another means
of saving energy is by adding a steel roof
to the structure. Its function is • vaguely
similar to that of solar heating. "The air
in the attic is 10 to 15 degrees warmer
than the outside air in the winter," said
Mr. Keller. "Because of the steel roof it's
recommended you draw heat from above.
The whole system sort of works in reverse
in the summer.
"Lots of people over -vent barns. For
example, too much air outside means you
are taking too much heat from the barn,
which isn't necessary. It's okay in the
summer, but not in the winter".
The first barn erected on Kurt's farm
is not heated, but the new one, which will
house the smaller pigs, will require some
sort of warming system. The answer will
be water pipes set in the concrete floor.
"With water pipes you can use any
energy you want to heat the water," says
his father.
Working alongside nature's cycle can
be carried further. Mr. Keller noted
current research on using animal wastes.
GAS FROM WASTES
"The waste is collected, heated and
fermented and it gives gas, liquids and
solids," said Mr. Keller, adding that the
gas can be used to run farm machinery
and remaining waste can be used as
fertilizer.
"There are places in India and China
where methane gas has been produced
for many years," explains the Perth
farmer. "In order for us to do it, though,
you have to see that it's economical,
pollution -free and safe. A farmer won't
do it if he can get it cheaper."
The new Keller barns, of course, are
designed to collect the animal waste just
in case using it to produce energy
becomes feasible.
It can be put in simple terms. The
Keller barns are constructed in a way that
keeps a maximum amount of heat inside.
Eventually making use of what is inside,
the animals and their waste, could result
in money -saving projects to provide gas
and fertilizer.
Making "land"
self sufficient
Herb Eldridge, a former computer systems consultant, has been farming
organically for the past seven years near Ethel.
PG. 10 THE RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1980