Author Archives: ellen
Drywall Preparations
We have had two vendors look at the job and each says they can do it. We are awaiting the estimates. But there is a lot to do before the crew can come in and drywall. I’m thinking it is … Continue reading
More Ventilation Ducting Fixes
We just enjoyed a visit from our friends Jan and Mike from Indiana and got some good help and ideas from them. They wanted to work on the house. What are good friends for anyway? So we redid one of … Continue reading
Central Vacuum in Action
Ahhh. Listen to the whooshing sound of the air sucking up tons of dirt. Wow, look at the dust disappearing from the duster into the innards of the pipe opening. A bit louder but what a great tool the power … Continue reading
Moved Modem
Ever since we moved in, the modem for our internet connection has been installed right at the garage door. There is a closet built in there now and although the electricians installed an extra outlet for the equipment, it did … Continue reading
Central Vacuum Wiring
When I had everything finally connected and all the inlets installed it was late in the afternoon and I was tired. I opened an inlet and nothing happened. Then I opened the vacpan inlet and all the inlets came on. … Continue reading
Central Vacuum Connected
I finished connecting the central vacuum piping and wiring today. Even with all the parts I had ordered, I ran out of pipe and 90 degree sweep elbows so had to wait two days for Amazon to deliver more. I … Continue reading
Central Vacuum Accessories and Piping
I’m working on the central vac piping. The pipes are GO VACUUM brand for vacuum systems. These are 2″ but a bit smaller than Schedule 40 PVC. They supposedly build up less static inside them and fit the inlets exactly. … Continue reading
Structural Inspection
We had a structural inspection a few months ago when we thought it had to come before the electrical was put in the walls. Instead, it had to wait until the rough plumbing and rough electrical were passed. I assumed … Continue reading
HVAC Inspection Failed
I’m not actually surprised that I failed the first inspection of the ventilation system. It makes sense that I would do some things incorrectly or at least not up to code. In this case I substituted lightweight zip ties over … Continue reading
Foobot Air Quality Monitor
This Foobot air quality monitor is a very cool device. I purchased it from a seller on ebay for about half of retail. It is an easily set up device using a smart phone app. It comes in an orange … Continue reading
Ventilation Controls
The standard controller that is included with the Recoupaerator is a manual variable speed on/off wall dial control. The wiring on the back of the panel consists of six wires and it comes with a very short cable attached. I … Continue reading
Reopening a Roof Vent
We had patched the two existing roof vents in the old attic when we insulated the roof. But then I decided to use one for the ERV exhaust. I opened the vent by cutting the metal front corners and bending … Continue reading
Exhaust Side Ductwork
It has taken several weeks to put together the ductwork for both the supply and exhaust for the RecoupAerator ERV system. It seems I keep needing another part to make the next connection. I realized that I purchased 10″ exhaust … Continue reading
Efergy Electrical Usage Monitoring
I have been interested in monitoring our electrical use, especially since it has gone up significantly since we keep the spa warm all winter. I started with a monitor for just the spa circuit. The Efergy kit has two clamps … Continue reading
Monitoring Home Temperatures and Boiler Use with Ecobee3
In addition to the NEST thermostat in the living area, I recently added an Ecobee3 with one sensor in the rear bedrooms. This area is a separate zone and for LEED we are required to have a thermostat in every … Continue reading
What about a Winter List?
We are two weeks into the new year and it is time to consider the plans for this winter. We are working away at the house. So much so that it will be great to take a little time off … Continue reading
Supply Side Ductwork
I’ve been connecting the ductwork for the ventilation system. The original plan had a few vents that I decided to eliminate based on balancing the system’s supply and exhaust ports. So there is a long stretch of flexible duct in … Continue reading
Ventilation Progress
The ventilation system has to be finished and inspected as part of the HVAC before we can drywall. We started the soffit for the ductwork in November when my brother was visiting. I finally finished the framework today. I finally … Continue reading
Nest Thermostat Info
It’s been cold outside. We woke up this morning to negative ten degrees. The Nest thermostat is only recording the temperatures and boiler use in the living room so it is an incomplete picture of our heat use. I need … Continue reading
January 1, 2017-Retrospective of the First Five Years
Today we have owned the house for five years. That is a sizable amount of time and one that seems unbelievable when we look back at our LEED project. I created a retrospective report but moved it to its own … Continue reading