Permaculture is an approach to design that uses the placement of things and objects to best benefit the efficiency of buildings. Everything has a purpose, place, and can be beneficial. Designing a home with permaculture in mind will reduce waste, save on energy, and cut back on water consumption. The following information provides design ideas that incorporate the principles of permaculture and being user friendly.
3.1 Passive Solar Heating
Passive solar heating or passive solar design is the collection of heat created by the sun. The goal is to achieve the highest efficiency with the maximum amount of exposed sunlight. South-facing windows are a great way to allow solar rays to heat up a room naturally and at a relatively low cost. The heat from the sun can also be stored in something called “thermal mass” which is concrete slabs, brick walls, and tile floors. These can all be building materials from the building. Passive solar heating does not have a high initial cost but has increased user comfort and allows for better temperature stabilization. If properly designed, buildings that incorporate passive solar into their layout have more natural light and appear to be sunnier and bright, allowing the inhabitants to feel more connected with nature.
Information on passive solar heating and how it works
Passive solar heating
What is passive solar design
3.2 Passive Cooling
Passive cooling is the use of natural elements to cool an area of living space. By combining different techniques together such as ensuring that the building is in the shade and that there is proper ventilation throughout the building, energy costs can be relatively low for cooling needs.
3.2.1 Cross Ventilation
Operable windows (windows that open) and wing walls are great ways to enhance ventilation in a building. Wing walls are vertical exterior wall partitions placed perpendicular to adjoining windows. Their main purpose is to increase ventilation in a building or room that only has one exterior wall. They are only effective on the windward side of a building. Proper ventilation reduces the need for refrigerated coolants and reduces energy costs.
3.2.2 Shade
Another way to ensure a cooler living space is to have trees on the property for shade. Shade trees can help to reduce the impact the sun’s rays will have on a building by up to 6°C. Not only are shade trees beneficial to the environment, they are beneficial to human health as well because they take in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen into the air, creating better air quality. By not cutting trees down or by planting native species of trees, therefore ensuring that there is shade on a building, the energy needs for cooling the building are reduced. Along with cooling the building, protecting humans from the dangerous sun’s rays is also an important role for shade trees. Due to the location in Ontario, houses built in the Haliburton area or in “The Land Between” should avoid planting trees on the south facing wall of the building. Doing so would obstruct the sunlight and take away from the passive heating method.
PDF of heating, cooling, and ventilation
Environmental and health benefits of shade
3.3 Native Plants and Lawn Care
Planting native vegetation is very important to environmentally-friendly lawn and garden maintenance. Introducing invasive or non-native species can actually do damage to the surrounding ecosystem. There are many great native species that can be found in “The Land Between” that are easily affordable and attractive.
3.3.1 Lawn Care
Something to consider for any property is the lawn. The plant hardiness zone is 4a or 4b in “The Land Between” with little soil cover, and grass may not always grow well or look appealing. An alternative to grass cover for a lawn could be clover. This alternative method uses less energy and maintenance and is easy to manage. Low-maintenance lawns (clover lawns) cost less and do not use fertilizers or need much water. They are very hardy and can withstand a higher amount of traffic. Although these lawns do not have a homogenous appearance they save money, effort, and the environment. Clover lawns also absorb more water, alleviating the run-off and sedimentation that may happen with traditional grass lawns. It is also very important to take into consideration lawn care on the property if residing on a water front. Planting grass right down to the water is not the best move for the environment and can attract geese and water fowl, making for an unsanitary mess left on the shoreline. Making a more natural shoreline is more beneficial because it prevents erosion, increases habitat for fish and wildlife, and can help filter pollution and contaminants that may potentially wash into the lake or river. Keeping the shoreline natural is important because the native vegetation anchors the soil down and it helps to reduce the impact of downstream erosion. Aquatic and semi-aquatic plants provide habitat for frogs, dragonflies, and insect-eating birds.
Preserving and restoring natural shorelines
Restoring healthy shorelines
PDF- “A Shoreline Owner’s Guide to Lakeland Living”
Also see Shoreline design
3.3.2 Gardens
Another big attraction to some property owners are gardens whether they are flower gardens or vegetable gardens. This feature on many properties is where trouble may be introduced in the form of invasive species. Although most vegetables we grow are not native to our environment in Canada it is important to be careful with other ornamental plants that you may want to grow. Being aware of what species you are planting and whether or not they are native to the Haliburton area is important and something that should be taken into consideration. To check what species are invasive and how you can help stop the spread, check out the Ministry of Natural Resources website. By providing habitat with native species of vegetation, one can also help establish populations of wildlife that feed off of the native vegetation or use it as habitat.
Atlas of Canada to find plant hardiness zones
Ministry of Natural Resources – Invasive Species
Haliburton County – invasive species information
3.4 List of Trees
American Mountain Ash
Balsam Fir
Black Cherry
Black Spruce
Bur Oak
Eastern Hemlock
Eastern White Cedar
Eastern White Pine
Jack Pine
Peachleaf Willow
Pin Cherry
Red Maple
Red Oak
Red Pine
Silver Maple
Sugar Maple
Tamarack
Trembling Aspen
White Birch
White Spruce
Ministry of Natural Resources – Trees that grow in the Haliburton region
Ministry of Natural Resources – Tree planting tips
3.5 Rain Harvesting Systems
Harvesting rain water is a great way to conserve water and help with rainwater management on residential property. With many different systems available on the market such as DIY or commercial systems, installation is easy. With proper equipment and technology, the rain water can be recycled back into the house and used for everyday activities such as laundry, flushing toilets, and even drinking. These systems capture rainwater or roof runoff water which is then plumbed into the house and put through a treatment system. If desired, the collected water can also be used for outdoor water irrigation. Regular maintenance and inspection is required for these systems to ensure the quality of the water. Additional testing does need to be completed for drinking water. Potential benefits include reducing energy costs, reducing erosion on property, and conserving water.
Ontario Guidelines for Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems 2010 Handbook
How to build a rainwater collection system yourself
3.6 Grey Water Treatment
There are many ways to treat grey water and some of the more eco-friendly versions do not include adding chemicals to the water to purify it, making it more appealing to people for consumption. These methods include Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Ultraviolet Sterilizers (UV) which can be installed in the home and can purify the water for the whole house. Something that should also be considered is installing a Brita water filter right onto your kitchen tap for quick access to drinkable water or simply using a Brita water filter pitcher that stores away in your fridge for cool, clean, drinkable water.
3.6.1 (UV) Water Treatment
Although ultraviolet light sterilization inactivates harmful bacteria, it is not intended to treat heavily contaminated water or water that is chemically contaminated. UV treatment does not remove any metals or minerals from the water and when the bacteria or viruses are inactivated, they are not removed either. This is why UV sterilization should be used in partnership with another treatment method.
3.6.2 (RO) Water Treatment
Reverse osmosis water treatment does remove sand, silt, minerals, and most metals from the water by passing highly pressurized water through a semi-permeable membrane. Using this method and UV sterilization together can provide clean water. It is still recommended that water be tested on a regular basis to ensure there is no contamination and that the units are working effectively. Each house has different water needs and each source of water is different from the next. Professional advice and service is recommended when it comes to drinking water. Although RO systems can be effective, they can be considered not eco-friendly due to the amount of water it takes to back-flush them to clean them.
Eco-friendly water treatment methods
3.7 Shoreline Permits
In Ontario, a work permit is required for any work that is to be completed on or near a shoreline. On the Ministry of Natural Resources website there is information on work permits and when one is required.