Developing countries can avoid the high costs of new infrastructure with an Eco-Nomad designed for the local environment. CMHC is integrating the Eco-Nomad into the development and construction of the Northern Healthy House in the Eagle Lake First Nations community near Dryden, Ontario. The Eco-Nomad can be put on line temporarily or permanently as it is reliant upon neither a specific dwelling nor a specific site location. In standard configuration, the utility container houses a minimum of nine distinct mechanical systems that can operate independently, but operate more efficiently when integrated. A power centre and battery banks are additional components of the electricity system.
Heat is stored in the hot water tanks, providing domestic hot water and space heating.
Water for potable uses can be sourced site specifically from groundwater, lake water, rain water, or trucked supplies. Stored in an insulated tank located in the Eco-Nomad subfloor, it is treated using a sand filtration system and either iodinated resin, UV, or membrane technology. A modified septic tank in conjunction with the Waterloo Biofilter system provides primary and secondary wastewater treatment respectively. For optimized operation of the equipment the R2000 insulation standard is preferred, especially in cold climate locations. Troubleshooting is handled through the remote monitoring system.