Monthly Archives: June 2015

Landscaping Fabric

Posted on June 29, 2015 by ellen

I purchased this “professional” landscaping fabric from a guy on craigslist for $75. The roll is 4 foot by 225 feet so longer than what I could purchase at the home improvement store. It is heavier fabric too. I used … Continue reading →

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Existing Circuits and Where they Go

Posted on June 28, 2015 by ellen

We have been trying to figure out all of the existing circuit breakers and their function in the house. One day last winter we went through the box and labeled every dangling wire in the house with the corresponding circuit … Continue reading →

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Rock It

Posted on June 27, 2015 by ellen

Yeah, had rock delivered today. The cheapest gravel I could buy is road base. It is not nearly as pretty as pea gravel because it is a mix of aggregates from about 3/4″ gravel down to sand particles. Used mainly … Continue reading →

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Excavation with a Dingo

Posted on June 25, 2015 by ellen

I was working too hard to take photos so I found this short video on You Tube that shows basically what I was doing all day. Not using the rotary digger but just the excavator on this Toro walk behind … Continue reading →

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Summer List

Posted on June 25, 2015 by ellen

So did ANYTHING get done this spring? Actually work was done but little was actually FINISHED. And there were things that we did that were not on the official list of next steps. I’ve written about what I have been … Continue reading →

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Rebuilt Honeywell Zone Valves

Posted on June 24, 2015 by ellen

The Honeywell zone valves on the radiant system were all part of the original boiler system from 1984, So I purchased rebuild kits to have on hand if the valves didn’t work initially or stopped working. Luckily they all worked … Continue reading →

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What’s the Weather Like Today?

Posted on June 23, 2015 by ellen

Hum along with me to the old tune, “Its Good News Week” if you know that one you are probably a baby boomer. It is a 60’s one hit wonder by a group called Hedgehoppers Anonymous! Not that I remembered–what … Continue reading →

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The Rain was Raining All Around

Posted on June 22, 2015 by ellen

It falls on field and tree. It rains on my umbrella here and on the ships at sea. A Child’s Garden of Verses–Robert Louis Stevenson I always liked these little verses as a child and memorized several of them. They … Continue reading →

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Door Doldrums

Posted on June 22, 2015 by ellen

The Therma Tru doors from Alpen are a remodeler’s nightmare. After the initial install, they didn’t work very well at all. They didn’t close correctly apparently due to being out of level and not plumb. SOO the installers, the door … Continue reading →

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Switcharoo to Penguin Chiller

Posted on June 17, 2015 by ellen

I was very disappointed about the new/old Arctica Chiller not working, although ebay is fantastic in providing free return shipping. I let it drain for a day and packed it up in the original box and plastic bag making sure … Continue reading →

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Radiant Cooling

Posted on June 13, 2015 by ellen

It was easier than I thought it would be to switch the thermostats to cooling and hook up the circulation pump as the primary pump on the system. I just had to switch the white wire from heat to cool. … Continue reading →

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Heat Exchanger Piping

Posted on June 12, 2015 by ellen

I finished the heat exchange piping this morning. This is how the heat exchanger works. Notice the hot in the upper corner going IN and the warm after exchanging its heat going OUT in the lower corner. Conversely the cold … Continue reading →

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Killer Chiller (DOA)

Posted on June 10, 2015 by ellen

For the past couple of years I have installed a window evaporative cooler that I bought on craigslist in one of the front windows. This year, however, that window has been replaced and there is not a new window that … Continue reading →

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Novan Solar Hot Water System

Posted on June 10, 2015 by ellen

I have been searching on craigslist for a hot water solar system for some time.  A month or so ago, I went to look at one that was $800 for three panels, a control system and tank that all needed … Continue reading →

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Reused Outdoor Lights

Posted on June 10, 2015 by ellen

These were the original lights at the doors. They may have been homemade as they were cedar like the siding with white plastic covers. They were much the worse for wear, with the wood cracking and breaking and the lights … Continue reading →

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Tarnished Energy Gems

Posted on June 9, 2015 by ellen

It appears that SERI had a good deal of influence in the 80’s in the Denver area. I say this because I purchased a solar hot water system from a couple in Centennial who bought a foreclosure that has a … Continue reading →

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