Twinsprings Research Institute
The story of our Do It Yourself Platinum LEED for Homes-Net Zero Green Building project in Colorado
Skip to content
Home
10 Year Report
5 Year Report
About
LEED Docs V3
LEED Docs V4.1
Other Projects
DIY Greenhouse
Greenhouse spreadsheet explained
Preparing the foundation
Constructing the frame for the glass
Attaching the roof joists
Bracing the roof joists
Installing back wall frame
Attach bay to its neighbor
Install Glass Holders and Glass Pane
From Here
Photos
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
After Move
Before Move
Resources
Construction Odds and Ends
Crawlspace Conditioning
Exercise Spa
Gas Hot Water Boiler Systems
Hot Water Recirculation
Insulation and Air Barrier
Metro Denver Green Homes Tour Signs 2017 and 2022
Monitoring
Radiant Heating and Cooling
Radon
Slab Technical Information
Trombe Wall
WaffleMat
Water Supply
Windows and Doors
Wood Hot Water Boiler Systems
2017
House Image in Oct. 2015
Baby its cold outside
Boiler off
House temperatures
Nest history detail
Nest history
Family Room Duct Soffit
Preparing support struts
Cut out on strut
Finished Family Room Soffit
Preassembled section of soffit
Flex duct in soffit
Assembling Metal Duct Work
Insulated ductwork connected
Short connection
Tee connection
Supply ducting at ERV
Frosted Tree
Ecobee Spreadsheet
Ecobee Temp Screen
Ecobee Options Screen
Efergy Elite Classic
Efergy Elite Contents
Efergy Hub System
House Usage
Spa Usage
Historical Usage for Day
Efergy Ego Outlet
Efergy Ego Outlet Monitor
Supply piping and Exhaust Duct
Family Room Exhaust Duct
Early Exhaust Duct Connectiona
Redone Exhaust Duct Connections
The Chosen Roof Vent
Cutting through the plywood patch
Ductwork through the roof
Three intertwining flex ducts
Supply and Exhaust Side of ERV
Controller Wiring
Variable Controller Installed
Interior Control Panel
Recoupaerator Boost Wiring
Setting Nest Fan Timer
Setting Nest Fan Schedule
Foobot instant data
Foobot particulate historical data
Foobot CO2 historical data
Foobot Readings Spreadsheet
Foobot Revised Spreadsheet
Supply and exhaust with elbows
New pipe layout
Central Vac Install Kit
Cen-Tec Interceptor for Vacuum
Spin Duster
Power Brush Kit
Central Vac Install Plan
Canvac Signature XLS 970
Garage Attic Connection
Piping to living area inlet
Powered inlet for living area
Double inlet piping
Piping to utility room
Piping in the crawlspace
Drilling the closet floor into the wall plate
Pipe to crawlspace
Daisy Chain Wiring
Powered Vacuum Inlet
Modem in Living Room
Coax Splitter
Zippered Vacuum Hose Cover
Closet full of vacuum attachments
Stainless steel bands
Taped bands
Working on the join.
Polyiso and Membrane at Back Door
Insulation and Polyiso in Hallway
Insulation in Wiring Chase
Insulation with Orphan Phone LIne
Insulation in Family Room Bathroom
Insulated hot return
Insulated Master Bath
New York Snow Piles
Cut and Fit Polyiso
More cut and fit
Spray foam sealing job
Wire Stapled to 2 x 4
Shelf bracket to support shaft
LED Dimmer 0-10 volt
Lutron Types of Control
Recouperator Boost Wiring to NEST
Lutron Lighting Load Interfaces
Lutron Caseta Load Types
Build out for plumbing
Spacing for sconce lights
Space for medicine chest
Tee fitting for outside spigot
Metal stud for wire chase
Ducting for Crawlspace Ventilation Fan
Open Crawlspace Ventilation Fan
Closed Duct Outlet in Hall
Hood for Fan inside Crawlspace
Duct for Ventilation Fan
Bathroom Shower Fan Duct
Ceiling Membrane around Radon Pipe
South Patio Doors Membrane
South Dining/Kitchen Corner
Front Door Entrance
Wiring Chase Membrane
Hallway Nailers
Room Angle Change
Another tricky area
Leaving the temporary board
Unique Drywall
ERV Boost Wiring
Recouperator Boost Wiring to NEST
ERV Forced Air Connection
Nest with Relay
Nest to Humidifier Connection
Siga Primur Caulk
Upper Family Room Wall
Plumbing for Garage Sink
Airlock Entry Door to Garage
Partial Stud Wall
Stanted Radon Vent Pipe
Radon pipe to box in
Peaked hallway entrance
Peak with new metal studs on right
Double peak
Cross piece installed
Framing transom window
Corian for light shelf
Family Room Air Return
Kitchen Air Return
Back bedroom sitting area
Back bedroom eating area
Dividing Closet Wall
Bathroom lightswitch
Wire to Nest
Wire for humidistat
Wire at Nest
Kitchen Vent with extension
Family Room Vent
Garage Laundry Faucet
Pile o’Chairs
MyWay Delivery
Master Bedroom Cleared
Family Room Cleared
Pile o’Pillows
Table o’Tools
Outside Hole
Outside Hole Interior
Inside Hole
Frigidaire Mini Split
Used Mini Split System Frigidaire
Milwaukee 12″ bit Extension
Empty House Panorama
Panorama from LIving Room
Panorama from Master Bedroom
Entry Drywall from Kitchen
Front Entry Drywall
Wainscot in closet
Shower Denshield
Dining Room to Air Lock Entry
Living Room Clerestory
Kitchen Half Wall
Clerestory Window in Family Room
Dining and Solar Hallway
Kitchen with Utility Room Door
Hallway and Radon Shaft
Installing the steel mesh
Steel mesh cover on chimney
The bathroom has blueboard and Denshiled sheathing
Texturing
More Texture
Jose Sanding
Painter’s Paint Pump
Spraying Primer
Kitchen Drywall before Texture
Hector on Stilts
Hospital Info Board
Hospital Instrument Wall
Light tan ceiling
White ceiling
More white ceiling
AFTER Drywall Cleanup, Swept and Vacuumed
Trying a floor cleaning machine
After mechanical cleaning
Steam cleaned
AFTER Brush Scrubbing
Sanded and glued
Edges dammed
Uneven first coat
Looked Wet!
Finished First coat
Damming the counter for a second coat
Second coat filling in gaps
Pantry closet floor before
Pantry closet floor after
Taped sink bottom
Brown camo colored paint
Copper Bronze Sink Finish
Concrete Dye
Sealed Floor
Four coats of polish
Pouring epoxy from second mix cup
Spreading epoxy with rubber putty knife
Popping bubbles with CO2 from propane torch
Bar Coat Materials and Supplies
Second coat second counter top
Faucet under sink
Sink with upper cabinet
Kitchen sink drain
Sink faucet installed
Upper cabinet installed
Arlington electric box extenders
Crooked metal box
Hot electric connections
Box extender cut for wires
Wires inserted from side of box
Outlet and wires pushed back
Blue box extender
Bathroom sconces
Monte Carlo Ceiling Fan
Hang assembled fan
Switch housing
7 watt bulbs in fixture
Glued copper tiles
Hood Leaning Forward
Needed to Find Studs
Backsplash with hood
Hood Over Backsplash
First vinegar coat
Copper glued to thin plywood
Vertical
Horizontal
Cutting the outlet hole
Screwed Tight to Studs
Copper tile in hood
Indiana Passive Solar
Broken Pipe
Sharkbite Fix
Antique Tractor Show
Rear Drain Valve
Front Drain Valve
Friends at the Harrimans
Steak at the Hallas
Enjoying the Day with Angie
Fender Grandkids at Weinie Roast
“Strawberry” Full Moon
Pine Armoire
Oven cabinet stained
Drawers washed
Finished cabinet
Kitchen so far
Wall plate for sconce light
Master bathroom sconces
Master closet light
Bathroom drain hole
Bathroom drain plate
Cleaned footboard
Knife magnet bar
Undercabinet knives
Dusty bark footboard
Steaming master bedroom floor
Hand steaming spots
Sealed floor
Polished floor
Living Room Floor
Living Room Furniture
Living Room with cabinet
Frigidaire Inlet valve 2
Frigidaire Inlet Valve
Dishwasher repaired
Danby Inlet Valve
Bathroom Floor Cracks
Toilet Base Crack
Ditra Underlayment
Dropping the wire
The wire hook
Taking a photo
Rear connected light
Stove light fixture
Goodan Endoscope
GetInLight Swivel LED Fixture
Bedroom brick wall
Open edge between drywall and brick
Ready for tile behind tub
Painting the brick wall
Frame with mid and side supports
Crosspieces for mattress support
Mattress meets bottom of headboard
Bed with quilt and shams
Bed on oriental carpet
Bed made up with head and footboard
Boards tacked with 2 x 4 corners
Backing stained and polyurethaned
Shimmed boards for backing
Full bed frame for sale
Back of headboard
Ditra on bathroom floor
Ditra with mortar bucket
Laying tiles
Soft mortar mix
Bathroom floor tile
Unfinished tile near shower and door
Spectralock Contents
Spectralock Part A
Spectralock Part B
First Wash
Left over epoxy grout
After third rinse
Spectralock Part C
Mixed Epoxy Grout
Guest bath toilet
Cabinets
Family room couch
Bathroom side
Small folding leaf table
Edge treatment for tile
Narrow edge treatment
Two tiles wide behind tub
Three tiles wide under tub
Freestanding faucet on step
Tiling the wall behind the tub
Tiled step
Back wall and step
Step mostly finished
Back wall finished
Bolts in studs
Cut off bolt head
Beam shelf in place
Depth of bolt in stud
Liquid Nails adhesive on bolts and wall
Tub installed with beam shelf
Tub faucet
Waterlox Low VOC
Chrome standing pipe connection
Tub faucet supply piping
Reinstalled tub faucet
Tub faucet piping cover
Drain leak
Drop Ear Sharkbite Elbow
Ironing cotton!
Curtain on outside door
Window Curtains
Privacy curtain closed
Privacy curtain opened
Sewing machine
Hugger Ceiling Fan
Craigslist Ad for Fan
Master Bedroom Ceiling Fan with Light
Fan in Master Bedroom
Rustic Venetian Style
Haiku L Series Fan with Light
Dining Room Chandelier
Back edge of tile to fill in
Rows of tile in master bath
Tile at front door
Air lock entry tile at edge of slab
Slanted narrow tiles
Leaking drain with extended pipe
Extended tub drain
Ninety degree elbow below drain
Tilted tub with tub shoe drain
Tub Shoe
No leaks now
Moving the granite slab
Granite cut on rolling cart
Cutting the slab
Carrying in the slab
John placing the slab
Family room bathroom vanity granite
Drywall space for medicine cabinet
Cutting out the cabinet
New cabinet installed flush
Cabinet with tile
Fan at rest
Airfoil blades
Ebay ad for Haiku fan
Box contents
Fan in Motion
Haiku Fan Efficiency
Caulking the edges of the beam
Full beam caulked for tile
Decorative tile with spacers
Gluing the sink tiles
Master bath sink tile
Decorative Tiles
First install–leaked
Foam and rubber toilet ring
Multiple tries to set toilet on bolts
Zero cut toilet bolts
Sani-seal waxless toilet gasket
Improvised faucet fastener
Source of the leak
Cut opening in toilet ring flange
Storage cart under sink cabinet
Victorian sink
Final toilet install
Two piece bath ensemble
Faucet in place
Three walls and a cover
Box behind sink
Brass Colored Tray
Tray Cut Out
Tray Mount
Clamp to secure sink
Sanding and Waterlox
Antique Kitchenware Collection
Small decorations and treasures
Empty boxes
Bookcase to china cupboard
Boxes Being Emptied
Room for the car in the garage
Tools shelves and table tools back in the garage
Workbench made with old door and buckets of stucco
Boxes in living room
Antique dresser in master bedroom
Boxes near second bookshelf
Garage boxes mostly cleared out
Dressers and secretary in extra bedroom
Boxes near kitchen are mostly kitchen items
Boxes and furniture in garage
Tesla Powerwall technical specs
Panasonic-VBHN325SA16
Solar Panel Efficiencies
Heat pump and ERV
Gosun solar grill
JLM wall mount battery backup
Tesla power wall battery backup
Modern Farm House
Pre cast concrete house
Interior wiring chase
Modular hand built furniture
Tensile wind catcher
Aztech Solar Hot Tub Cover
Solar Cooker Concentrators
Solar Architect’s Energy Use Tools
New Jersey Solar Home
Solar Chef
Fancy Solar Cooker
Signs from open house near poster
Solar conference posters
Conference goers looking at my poster
Signs on post in living room
Utility room signs
Solar House Tour
Video on NREL Screen
NREL Presentation
Metro Denver Home Tour
Goldbugs ready to party
Oven Use on Thanksgiving
Turkey 2017
Finished Lowlies
Painted peg Lowlies
Stuffed Goldbug
Lowly samples
Partial Lowly Worms
Thanksgiving Table
Place setting
Front Door Trim Paint
Sanded door trim
Exterior brown door trim
Rubber toothed paint stripper
Coffee Arrow Sign
Dining Wall Plumbing
Koffee Korner
Bar Sink
Patched ceiling at alarm
Cut ceiling for alarm box
Dewalt finishing nailer
Nice door trim
Cut off casing to fit opening
Uneven framing
Pantry door
Vacuum closet door
Hall Fire alarm before drywall
Rear Hall Drywalled Ceiling
Fire alarm box with third wire
Voice Fire Alarm Video
Electric Circuits
4 inch pot light for shower
Wiring path for shower light wire
Shower light and switch
Chrome shower light
Structural Foam Sump Cover
Second circle cut to fit
Inside and outside circle cut with jigsaw
Sump cover and Boiler drainage
Exterior pipes into sump tank
Cover screwed on with condensate and overflow pipes
Neoprene patch over one of the 2″ holes
Adhesive neoprene
Cover prepared with rubber gaskets
Gasket in plastic lid
Tank caulked inside and outside plywood ring
Plywood ring glued around tank
Plywood set up to cut round hole
Pot rack and hooks
Ladder pot hanging shelf
Added side bars
First Hanging
Rods installed in the ceiling
Twelve foot ladder to help hang shelf
Door latch side
Door closes unevenly
Airlock entry door
Hinge mortise
Bathroom wall studs
Master bath safety bar
Brass safety bar
MasterShot Ramset
Tesla SOLAR PLAN Calculations
Tesla SOLAR PLAN Electrical Diagram
Tesla SOLAR PLAN Side View
Dibble Res Roof
Solar City Parts List
Solar City Engineering Plan
Body paint goldbugs
Happy Birthday Banners
Lowly Worms in favor bags
Pool noodle race track
Busytown Train
Preparation for big birthday bash
Digging the trench
Fiberglass covered insulation
Applying pink XPS insulation
Handmade shower control gasket
Membrane finished
Membrane shower pipe gasket
Rear wall installed
Half wall with upper half mortared
Membrane smoothed with rubber putty knife
Membrane over niche openings
Soupy mortar mix
Search for:
Major RV Roof Leak During Hail Storm
New Tesla Y Long Range EV
RV Pressure Tank
Pool Shelter Kite
Spa Pipe Weakness
Categories
►
-Recent Posts
►
Construction
►
Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope
►
Floating Walls
►
Inspections
►
Moisture Intrusion/Expansive Soil
►
New Detached Garage
►
Roofing
►
Deconstruction
►
Design Style
►
Bathrooms
►
Family Room
►
Finishes
►
Furniture
►
Kitchen
►
Living Room
►
Organization
►
Primary Bedroom
►
Tile
►
Trim
►
Diversions
►
Crafts
►
Friends and Family
►
Grandkids
►
Moving
►
RV Camping
►
Sewing
►
Sideline at son’s house
►
Spencer House
►
Travel
►
Energy Efficiency
►
Appliances
►
Green Roof
►
Solar
►
Vehicles
►
House Systems
►
Electrical
►
Mini Split Air Conditioner
►
Monitoring
►
Plumbing
►
Radiant Heat
►
Condensing Modulating Gas Boiler
►
Fireplace Boiler
►
Radiant Cooling
►
Trombe Wall
►
Radon Mitigation
►
Ventilation
►
Central Vacuum
►
Landscape
►
Patio
►
Pool
►
Spa
►
Xeriscape
►
LEED Project
►
Green Building Interests
►
Local Products
►
Outreach
►
Maintenance and Repair
►
Planning
►
Project Team
►
Reduce Reuse Recycle
►
Tools
Loading Comments...
Write a Comment...
Email (Required)
Name (Required)
Website