-
Categories
Monthly Archives: December 2014
Storage Switch Outlet Wiring for Fireplace Boiler
The wiring on the storage side became a little tricky when I decided to use a switch/outlet combo to allow both the transformer to be switched on and off and the Taco Relay to energize an outlet, since the pump … Continue reading
Posted in Electrical, Fireplace Boiler
Comments Off on Storage Switch Outlet Wiring for Fireplace Boiler
Amory Lovins’ House Systems
The Lovins house tour was most interesting because of the various house systems; heating, water, electricity, etc. I’m sure there was more going on than what met the eye but what met the eye was pretty exciting. First, there is … Continue reading
Posted in Design Style, Energy Efficiency, Green Building Interests, House Systems
Comments Off on Amory Lovins’ House Systems
Diagrams for Fireplace Boiler Wiring
These are diagrams of the parts and functions for the fireplace boiler wiring. The storage side is powered by a 24 Volt transformer. Wired with 120 on one side, 24 volt is delivered on the other. This is one 24 … Continue reading
Posted in Fireplace Boiler, Planning, Radiant Heat
Comments Off on Diagrams for Fireplace Boiler Wiring
Wiring Plan for Fireplace Boiler
The fireplace boiler wiring has to control the water circulation through the boiler on one side–in the living room, and the circulation through the storage and heat exchanger on the other–in the utility room. The piping diagram shows some of … Continue reading
Posted in Electrical, Fireplace Boiler, Planning, Radiant Heat
Comments Off on Wiring Plan for Fireplace Boiler
Current Wiring for the Boiler
Way back last spring when I was finishing up the boiler wiring, I had problems with the secondary pump such that I replaced the used pump I bought on ebay with a brand new Taco 011. That was expensive but … Continue reading
Posted in Condensing Modulating Gas Boiler, Electrical, House Systems, Radiant Heat
Comments Off on Current Wiring for the Boiler
Re-Used Polyisocyanurate Ceiling
Dave has almost finished the 1.5″ polyiso layer on the ceiling. This is the insulation that we bought from Repurposed Materials. The extra insulation on the ceiling is to eliminate the thermal bridging in the wood rafters. The walls of … Continue reading
Posted in Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope, Reduce Reuse Recycle
Comments Off on Re-Used Polyisocyanurate Ceiling
Completed Crawlspace!
I finished the crawlspace today and replaced all the old pipe insulation with 1″ thick K-Flex R-7 insulation from Supply House. This insulation is a Greenguard certified product for its low VOC and mold resistance. There is over $275 of … Continue reading
Posted in Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope, Energy Efficiency, Radon Mitigation
Comments Off on Completed Crawlspace!
Effective R Value?
Amory Lovins’ home boasts an “effective R-Value” of 40 for the masonry walls. I was skeptical knowing they were masonry with a 4″ polyurethane core. The core would be about 20 if it was XPS foam, less if EPS foam … Continue reading
Posted in Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope, Green Building Interests
Comments Off on Effective R Value?
Amory Lovins Home Tour!
We had a great opportunity due to the Roaring Fork USGBC scheduling of a tour of Amory Lovins Passive Solar, Greenhouse Furnace, Net Zero, photovoltaic and thermal solar home in Snowmass, yesterday! It was a large tour group, about 30 … Continue reading
Posted in Design Style, Energy Efficiency, Green Building Interests
Comments Off on Amory Lovins Home Tour!
Sconce Lights Craigslist Find
I’ve been working on the electrical layout and planning to keep wiring from the outside walls and inside the thermal envelope. We have one large wiring chase across the building ceiling and plan to have all the rest of the … Continue reading
Posted in Electrical, House Systems, Reduce Reuse Recycle
Comments Off on Sconce Lights Craigslist Find
Crawlspace Radon Piping
Another thing I am rethinking is the piping that the radon mitigation calls for under the vapor barrier. I stuck a pipe under the vinyl, measuring for connection to the vent pipe and it looked kind of ridiculous. A short … Continue reading
Posted in Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope, Radon Mitigation
Comments Off on Crawlspace Radon Piping
Scaffolding
One of the most important tools for working on our high ceilings has been the sets of scaffolding on wheels. I bought these at Harbor Freight with a coupon so each set was about $200 with tax. I first bought … Continue reading
Posted in Construction, Tools
Comments Off on Scaffolding
More About Tools
It is great to have a good selection of tools when working on such a large project. We also have our daughter and her husband nearby who are willing to lend us their tools when we need them. Here is … Continue reading
Posted in Construction, Tools
Comments Off on More About Tools
A Tool for Every Job
Battery Powered Caulk Gun I used this 18 volt cordless battery powered caulk gun to quickly spread the caulk for the crawlspace tarps without tiring out my hands with the manual caulk gun. With lots of caulking to do, I … Continue reading
Posted in Tools
Comments Off on A Tool for Every Job
Crawlspace “After”
The conditioned crawlspace is almost complete. The vinyl tarps/billboards are sealed to the walls with caulk. The low VOC Loctite PL375 is inexpensive and easy to work with. It is both a construction adhesive and gap filling caulk and washes … Continue reading
Posted in Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope, Local Products, Radon Mitigation
Comments Off on Crawlspace “After”
Wood Boiler Clarification
The “Boiler Room” forum on Hearth.com had some folks willing to try to answer my concerns about the system pump overcoming the vent pipe and pushing boiler water into the overflow tank. Unfortunately they had some concerns of their own, … Continue reading
Posted in Fireplace Boiler, Planning, Radiant Heat
Comments Off on Wood Boiler Clarification
Wood Boiler Confusion
There is a problem with the piping design for the wood boiler. I finally got all the leaks fixed and the system holds air pressure, but I had the vent pipe plugged so that air would not escape up into … Continue reading
Posted in Fireplace Boiler, Planning, Radiant Heat
Comments Off on Wood Boiler Confusion