Dylan is our DIY and construction go-to. With a passion for sustainable construction, he puts his degree to use in each article he writes. While he’s moved away from the architectural field, he still applies everything he has learnt to his writing.
In 2020, Dylan made the best of the situation and began a long-distance course in journalism. He’s been writing since 2015, and his architectural degree fortified his academic writing skills. Using the journalism course, he widened his writing abilities to different types of publications.
“You can never stop learning. Every new skill you gain always has more than one application. If you’ve mastered one skill, it’s time to learn something new.”
DIY projects have become a hobby for him, trying to turn his home into an eco-paradise. His design and model-building skills have translated into a practical hands-on approach to DIY projects.
You’ll find either hand-drawn or digital sketches when reading Dylan’s articles. He believes that sketches and drawings convey information that accompanies writing perfectly. Using all this, he writes clear step-by-step guides to sustainable DIY projects you can try at home.
Lastly, he wants to share his knowledge with others so they can also build their own eco-home. One way to be more sustainable is to ensure that you live in a home with a low environmental impact. Each DIY project makes a difference, even if you try one project or a retrofit of your whole home.
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User Posts: Dylan Crosbie
The desire to collect rainwater can quickly turn into an obsession for many people out there. However, it may seem like a hassle to others, especially those ...
Dylan Crosbie
Rainwater collection is a great starting point for building your eco-home. Luckily, keeping your rainwater fresh for gardening and flushing toilets isn't as ...
Using a rainwater barrel is a simple way to store rainwater for reuse; what's more connecting rain barrels can provide you with more storage space. Not ...
Collecting rainwater in barrels can seem rather complicated, especially when you don't know where to start or which rain barrel to use. We understand how ...
"It's been raining so much lately and I'm letting it all go to waste. Maybe it's time that I build a DIY rainwater collection system?" Sound familiar? Then ...
"Is it legal to collect rainwater?" You may know a fair bit about rainwater collection, but are you familiar with the legalities surrounding its ...
A rainwater collection system is at the heart of collecting rainwater. While you can manage your rainwater in any way you please, having a system makes it so ...
You might view rainwater collection as a habit reserved only for very rural areas. Or maybe for survivors trapped on deserted islands. Well, you'd be ...
As technology advances, so does eco-design. No longer is overly-priced store-bought decor the king. Nowadays, homeowners can go as far as furnishing their ...
Many of you are probably familiar with the tremendous amount of water that toilets use. What you might not be so familiar with, though, is low-flow toilets. ...
Bricks are an incredibly versatile building material. What's more, they're very durable, lasting up to around 500 years. This incredibly long lifespan is one ...
If you're building a new home or renovating your current home, you've definitely heard of insulation. It's the material that you find in your walls or ...
Hi Ryan,
That’s a great idea if you use the greywater for irrigation.
However, I’m unsure how often you’d need to change it. Perhaps simply keep an eye on it, and if it begins to clog with oil or smell, it’s time to swap it out.
Try monthly at first, and if necessary, maybe twice a month or even weekly. You’ll need to play it by ear.
I’ll shoot you an email, and if you have any other questions, we can chat about them there.
Kind regards,
Dylan
Hi Ryan,
For your sand and aggregate filters, it’s best to change them every 5 to 10 years.
The frequency that you’ll need to change your biofilter depends on what materials you’ve used. For example, if you’re using mulch, it would be best to change it once a month. However, if you’re using a wetland biofilter, it’s self-sustaining.
Could you provide me with more detail on what materials your biofilter uses so I can give you a more accurate answer?
Kind regards,
Dylan
Hi Terces,
Unfortunately, the image is only a rendering of a passive home. It wasn’t built.
I’ve tried to find the architects for that render, but since the image is a stock photo, I wasn’t very successful.
Would you be interested in an article highlighting different passive home designs with links and more information to them?
Best regards
Hi Josef,
I’m glad you enjoyed the article!
It’s always advised to separate the different systems. Not only would the greywater contaminate the rainwater, but there are different legal requirements for each system.
If you live in the U.S.A, you can check out our rainwater laws article. If not, it’s best to contact your local municipality to see what laws and regulations are in place for both rainwater and greywater.
It really depends on your budget and what you plan on using the water for. Greywater systems can be more expensive due to the filters required.
If you’d like to find out more about rainwater systems to see if they fit your planned project, you can check out our rainwater system article.
I hope this helps.
Best regards
Dylan
Hi Claire,
Thanks for reaching out!
Unfortunately we can’t give a concrete answer on how much an earth home would cost.
The price of building an earth home will vary depending on your location and the design.
Some factors include:
– How much excavation will you need?
– What materials are your using?
– How are you allowing light into your home?
The best way to get an accurate price would be to contact a pre-fab earth home manufacturer or speaking to a local architect.
I wish you luck with building a new home!