Yearly Archives: 2015
Novan Solar Hot Water System
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
Reused Outdoor Lights
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
Tarnished Energy Gems
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
Air Barrier Membrane Install
It seemed that it took getting the new doors and windows installed before the time was right to finally install the membrane. I made the decision to use the vapor permeable air barrier from Siga in October of 2013. We … Continue reading
Leaks!
Oh no, more leaks. We had literally weeks of rain in our normally dry climate. Our rain gauge registered almost 3 inches more than once. On one particularly stormy day last week we began to see water penetration. We heard … Continue reading
Remedies for Door Difficulties
Efficiency Matters returned to relevel and replumb the doors–and they fixed most of the biggest issues with the doors opening and closing which was a huge relief. They also reinstalled the back door into 2 x 6’s instead of the … Continue reading
Skid Steer Skills
I rented a skid steer for the day from Arvada Rentalls. I decided moving concrete by hand was too slow and I wanted to scrape the grass off the slab area too. The machine required a large trailer to bring … Continue reading
Two Loads of Rubber Tile
I will add another project to the list. Build the front patio with these rubber tiles. These are recycled rubber tiles that I found in a craigslist ad. The guy had two pallets and wanted to sell them all at … Continue reading
A Spring List
I’m making a spring list that will follow us into summer I’m sure. The rule of making a new list is to put something on it that can be crossed off right away, especially if it was not on a … Continue reading
Next Steps–Not These!
What are the next steps? We still have the membrane and the furring strips to install throughout the house. That is left over from the fall list. Dave and I both had bad colds these past few weeks. Felt miserable … Continue reading
Piper Electric
Piper Electric did an estimate for us in the fall of 2013. That was to rerun all the existing circuits to the new walls when they were built. But it did not include installing an outside shutoff. The code now … Continue reading
Door Difficulties
As much as I like the new windows and the LOOK of the new doors, the doors are not opening and shutting correctly. These are Therma Tru entry and french patio doors that Alpen purchases and then installs their high … Continue reading
Moving the Fish
So today was spa moving day! We hooked up the new trailer, stopped by Arvada Rent-alls and rented a Gin Pole and a set of 8 ton rollers. We also had filled up the truck with tarps, bubble wrap, tape, … Continue reading
Give a Man a Fish–or a Spa Mover
Yeah, I was so going to have someone else move the spa. But then they gave me grief, maybe we can get to it, maybe there will be access at your house. I sent photos, I sent specifications. That tub … Continue reading
Windows and Doors Installation
New windows and doors are the most expensive and largest change to the house since the new slab was installed. And it is finally happening! We ordered the Alpen windows and ThermaTru doors with Alpen glass inserts from Mark Attard … Continue reading
Another Distraction
Colorado is spa country. There are several great hot springs spas in the state and we may need to visit all of them. So far we have been to three, Glenwood Hot Springs–huge pools–lots of locals; Mount Princeton Hot Springs–mostly … Continue reading
iConf
I thought this was a cool way of “checking in” attendees to the conference sessions. Continuing education is important in all fields these days and in order to get the credit for being at the sessions, the attendees were checked … Continue reading
I meet Peter Ellis!
This is a bit embarrassing because I was kind of a groupie fan when I met this man at Rocky Mountain Green. When I found out he was registered for the conference I was hoping I would meet him. Then … Continue reading
Rocky Mountain Green 2015
April 2, 2015. I really can’t help loving this conference. Even though it is really aimed at planners, architects, and commercial buildings, it is exciting to hear the youthful, intelligent, talented people involved in the energy efficient building movement. The … Continue reading
Windows Arrived
The windows and doors arrived on March 30th just one week later than the original date . Although they didn’t fill up the truck, the unloaded windows took up pretty much space in the garage. Three guys took about an … Continue reading