35th Post – Backfilling

WEEK 5 of Construction

This week we are having the foundation backfilled and the yard graded off.  So it is not the exciting stuff but necessary. 

Since we have three very large boulders to place this week I have to decide where they are to go.  Well we won’t have a backhoe to move them later.  When I took a landscape class, we were told to decide where the larger items where to be, like decks, swimming pools, trees and now boulders.  Things that may not be able to moved later.  So now is the time to decide on where are they going to be sitting.  I have checked out many landscape books and am trying to find the style and right fit for our house.  I guess you will see what I figure out when you see the pictures.

I just read comments from a man that considers himself a green builder.  I think it is the lack of understanding that has him saying that passive houses are extreme and would be a tough sell. 

I am hoping that this blog will illuminate how easy it will be to build a passive home.  Also the training for people is becoming readily available. 

Basally building a PH is using more insulation with a tighter perimeter, superior windows and a great air system.  The most difficult aspect in building a PH is to prevent bridging in the foundation.  Which our readers, will take a look at next week when I share how Ted Nickell, our designer, solved this in his own ingenious way.


The second comment from the green builder is the tough sell language.  I ask people what can you buy for 30 cents a day?  I tell them we will heat our home.  We are hoping to stay within our 100 dollar budget a YEAR!  What is so tough about that?  Yes, you pay 5 to 10 percent more up front but you can make that up in a few years.  There are more and more homes applying for PH standings and the old way of building homes will hopefully be antiquated.  So one day people will say I can’t believe they use to live in those houses just like what we think about a log cabin.  

34th Post – Week 4 of construction

This week they have sealed the foundation and placed the rain run off pipes around the house.  These are to prevent water from collecting around the foundation.  I am still having trouble with enlarging the slideshow to the left.  I have never programed html before.

I wanted to write a blog that people could receive information about passive houses.  If you have a question or a comment just click below and leave them.  We will try and give you information about this build or send you to a web site page that is helpful.  We have seen how many of you have looked at our site but it is always fun to read your responses.  We are having difficultly with some Asian human trafficking making comments that link to their site.  Please don’t click on those comments; I try to remove them right away!

Two questions were asked, “Why are the windows set back in the opening?”  There are two reasons: first being that it doubles the defense against the wind and the rain.  This causes mold and other issues (read the link in the longer eves post).  The second is it makes it easier to open the windows.  The walls are 18 inches thick from the insulation and it will make an easier reach the windows to open and shut them.

The second question is about the bridging effect for the foundation.  I will be sharing photo and information on this process since it should happen in the next two weeks.

My husband just shared an article with me from The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/23/AR2010072300085.html?referrer=emailarticle

Wow, has she been reading my blog?

Send this blog on to family and friends who might be interested in a greener and more sustainable way to build.

Last weekend we went for a hike, so I thought I would share a photo.  Here is a picture of Sol Duc Falls in the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington State.  The fall’s mist is making the beautiful rainbow.

33rd Post – Basement walls are poured

For week three of construction the walls of the mini basement are poured.  Now we wait for the next inspection. 

We are looking at new appliances for our home.  The amount of energy savings for new appliances is incredible.  Energy consumption for new appliances is so much lower then even eight years ago when we had bought our refrigerator, washer and dryer.  

32nd Post – Construction week 2

As you can see on the slide show, left, our footings have been dug and poured.  If you want to see one of the pictures in a larger format, simply click on the photo and to return click on the back arrow.

31st Post – What about roof overhang/eves?

There are several reasons why the roof overhang/eves are going to be 3 feet wide.  The main reason is to protect the house and the windows from the wind and rain.  The wind can drive the rain against and up into the house and windows.  Read the articles below for more information about roof overhangs/eves:

http://www.pathnet.org/sp.asp?id=14037

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/R/AE_roof_overhang.html

The picture is showing the "solar reason." The height of the sun in the winter is lower and in the summer the sun is higher.  This way the sun will fill the house in the winter and not in the summer.  In the winter we should gain about 4 degrees from the sun.  We live in Oregon, but solar gains and angles of the sun will vary depending on where you live. 

When I see new construction on my walks in the evening, I just can’t believe that some new roofs just have a 6-inch overhang.  It really can’t make that much difference in the cost of building, but if the homeowner is not involved in the construction, the builder can cut those corners/eves. The short overhangs will allow the rain and wind to come into your home.  In the summertime the sun will also damage the interior of your home, bleaching out fabrics and wood, plus deteriorating the fabrics and/or carpets faster.  If you have air-conditioning you will use more electricity because the sun is heating up your home as you try to cool it.

We have only 1-foot overhangs in our existing home.  About five years ago we put up matchstick blinds on the outside, over our sliding glass doors.  We really found the temperature change quit dramatic.

Be Blue – Protect our sky - When putting on a new roof you might think about extending your eves. Check with someone who deals in passive solar heat.  Each area of the country will vary on the suitable roof overhang size.

30th Post – Going Leed

On Wednesday we met with an Earth Advantage consultant and according to the computer program we will far exceed the top rating, which is a Platinum-rating.  So what comes after a Platinum rating? Maybe a passive house! 

We were shocked how fast the landscape changed in our backyard.  By the afternoon of the first day all the shrubs and ½ of the deck was gone.  The next day tree and erosion protection fences were put into place.  The driveway was the first to be dug out and the crushed gravel is now down.

Wow the foundation is being dug out of the ground.  They have run into three extremely large bolders in the ground and it took a while to extract them from their resting places.  It has been loud, but also great to see the progress.  Our neighbors have been over inspecting the work. We've been giving them something to watch.

Well more pictures to follow.  I am still having trouble loading the slide show.  Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

Be Blue - Protect our sky - Sorry to be a party pooper for the 4th of July, but... please don't let off your own fireworks; enjoy those cities and ballparks provide.  It puts a lot of pollutants in the air and scares the wildlife and our own animals. 

Be safe!