Yearly Archives: 2014
Wood Boiler–EPA Exempt–plus Safety Certification
I didn’t get any comments on the piping layouts at hearth.com, but I did have a forum disagreement with a poster about the safety certification of this foreign made stove. The statement was made that stoves that are not UL/CSA … Continue reading
On Second Thought…
After working with the components, I changed the wood boiler layout a bit. This is really the 14th version of the piping layout. The wood boiler plumbing is installed and set up for air testing before filling with water. The … Continue reading
Polyiso Insulation Boards
The polyiso insulation boards have been going up on the ceiling! We purchased a “bunk” of recycled boards from Repurposed Materials. Or it may have been two bunks–or about 60 4×8 sheets. This is the same recycling business that sold … Continue reading
Wood Boiler Plumbing
I am currently connecting the plumbing for the wood boiler. I am pretty sure I’m spending way too much money on this system for its value in our super insulated house. But we are used to heating with wood and … Continue reading
RED bedroom!
The kitchen set up makes it much easier to cook for ourselves, but the added advantage was moving the kitchen out of the second bedroom and setting up a bed for overnight guests. The red bedroom is a bit shocking … Continue reading
Used Gas Cooktop
About the same time I was shopping on craigslist for kitchen appliances, I found a 30″ gas cooktop for sale. The owner wanted to wait until it was taken out for their remodel, so we waited until just last week … Continue reading
Checking the Task List
November 1st, what happened to October? An unbelievably beautiful month here in Arvada. We took a break from working on the house to visit Rocky Mountain National Park and hear the elk bugling. Sounded like rusty gates to us. But … Continue reading
Slab Radon Pipe Connection
We finished tying in one of the slab radon pipes to the crawlspace radon fan today. There were several days of cutting pipes and several days of procrastinating since the pipe is heavy and the cuts are trouble and the … Continue reading
Gas/HVAC Inspection Passed!
Last year I investigated getting rid of the unsightly and in the way gas pipes. I had a guy come out who said the current gas feed was woefully undersized. I questioned his expertise thinking that the pipe measured at … Continue reading
Used GE Advantium Wall Oven with Speedcook Technology
This is the second week of kitchen set up. We are waiting for a Jenn-Air gas cooktop from someone who is using it until their new kitchen is installed. In the meantime seemed like the next item needed was an … Continue reading
Used Energy Star Dishwasher
Inherently a lazy housekeeper, I am a big fan of dishwashers. I started researching portable models because they are in a covered cabinet and our log cabinets are open below. Our style seems to be a variation on new age … Continue reading
Used Energy Star Refrigerator
Energy Star has been around long enough that it is now possible to buy very efficient appliances on the used market. Craigslist is an amazing marketplace for this. It takes a lot of vigilance, but eventually many good deals can … Continue reading
Fan (tas) tech Radon Fan
In the quest to finish the thermal barrier, I need to go under the house into the crawlspace and lay out a vinyl radon barrier on the ground and seal it to the walls. Working under the house usually means … Continue reading
Feeding Air to the Fire
The vent piping for the outside air delivery to the wood stove was finished this week. The outside piping was already installed last week. Regular dryer venting was used to connect to the pipe where it enters from outside and … Continue reading
Out with One, Up with the Other
Out with One… I moved the boiler vent from the existing furnace and gas water heater chimney to the utility room wall, so the next step was to take out the old chimney. I also put a 3″ PVC pipe … Continue reading
Check and Check
Officially renewed the building permit today for another 6 months. We are really moving too slowly right now and the building inspector suggested finishing up by 2015! Yeah, we can do that right? First item on the new list was … Continue reading
Now that Summer is Officially OVER!
I’m back at home with no plans to travel for awhile and feeling a bit at loose ends getting back to the gut remodel. I guess that is the trouble with getting away and returning to a relatively comfortable house. … Continue reading
Another Work Break
We spent most of the summer on other projects, trips, family, etc. and just at the end of the summer, my mom fell and hurt her head and was out of her apartment in the hospital and rehab in a … Continue reading
LEED Awareness and Education
Increasing awareness for LEED, its mission, its requirements, the benefits and features is one of the categories for gaining points for LEED certification. I had an opportunity to talk about this project at the Fort Collins Sustainable Living Fair on … Continue reading
Home Comfort (in an unfinished house)
We are pretty comfortable here in this unfinished house. When we moved all our stuff to the garage, we decided to bring some furniture inside. Some of the old hickory was out in the garage and it is better to … Continue reading