http://www.epochhomes.com
modular manufacturer
open cell insulation
Rich
Horin
epochdsm@cox.net
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
energy.gov is COOL!
OKAY,... not thinking of going this large but... this is a really cool link
http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=9428&fromGSA=1
http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=9428&fromGSA=1
Stick vs panel kit
found this article on the energy.gov site.
It compares a wood framed house to a manufactured panel home.
this is NOT SIP / passive house homes.
Two identical homes built side by side at the same time.
Less labor hours,
less waste (lowering cost of dumpsters)
http://www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentTypeID=3&contentID=164336&subContentID=369222
It compares a wood framed house to a manufactured panel home.
this is NOT SIP / passive house homes.
Two identical homes built side by side at the same time.
Less labor hours,
less waste (lowering cost of dumpsters)
http://www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentTypeID=3&contentID=164336&subContentID=369222
Saturday, June 15, 2013
home fire causes
Here's a breakdown of the leading causes of fire:
Cooking equipment: 42 percent or 157,038
Heating equipment: 17 percent or 63,563
Intentional: 8 percent or 29,912
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment: 6 percent or 22,434
Smoking materials: 5 percent or 18,695
Clothes dryer or washer: 4 percent or 14,956
Candle: 3 percent or 11,217
Exposure to other fire: 3 percent or 11,217
Playing with heat source: 2 percent or 7,478
Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/gilbert/common-causes-of-house-fires-include-kitchen-appliances-dryer#ixzz2WJ6Ch8Q2
Kitchens are the leading area of origin for home structure fires (42%) and civilian home fire injuries (38%).
So.... how do you design a safer kitchen?
google this...
cooking stoves in alcove photos.
Could put the whole stove in an alcove that is fire retardant (stone/brick/tile/...)
And have it known from the start - the whole thing has TO BE B-I-G so Dave, and our tall children, can cook with ease (instead of cooking with concussions).
But that is assuming that the kitchen fires are caused BY cooking on the stove. What if they are all caused by toaster ovens?
maybe make it big enough for toaster oven, microwave, and a spot for an electic wok or fry pan to also be in the "cooking alcove"
An estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire
departments each year
Maybe the wash room will be outside of the home's vapor barrier? In the Garage? Or maybe there will be space between the garage and the house that will have heaters/boiler/pumps/ and a laundry room.
Cooking equipment: 42 percent or 157,038
Heating equipment: 17 percent or 63,563
Intentional: 8 percent or 29,912
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment: 6 percent or 22,434
Smoking materials: 5 percent or 18,695
Clothes dryer or washer: 4 percent or 14,956
Candle: 3 percent or 11,217
Exposure to other fire: 3 percent or 11,217
Playing with heat source: 2 percent or 7,478
Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/gilbert/common-causes-of-house-fires-include-kitchen-appliances-dryer#ixzz2WJ6Ch8Q2
Kitchens are the leading area of origin for home structure fires (42%) and civilian home fire injuries (38%).
So.... how do you design a safer kitchen?
google this...
cooking stoves in alcove photos.
Could put the whole stove in an alcove that is fire retardant (stone/brick/tile/...)
And have it known from the start - the whole thing has TO BE B-I-G so Dave, and our tall children, can cook with ease (instead of cooking with concussions).
But that is assuming that the kitchen fires are caused BY cooking on the stove. What if they are all caused by toaster ovens?
maybe make it big enough for toaster oven, microwave, and a spot for an electic wok or fry pan to also be in the "cooking alcove"
An estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire
departments each year
Maybe the wash room will be outside of the home's vapor barrier? In the Garage? Or maybe there will be space between the garage and the house that will have heaters/boiler/pumps/ and a laundry room.
Grey Water
Back at it!
Still working on designing that house we will live in until we are 95+ years old.
Here is a glimpse of what we have ... so far!
There is a passive house in Little compton, RI.
It is designed by a company in Boston.
Its ugly.
But...
They used:
"Passive House-inspired
strategies that reduced the home heating requirements to one tenth of a similar new code built home. With
exceptional insulation
(R-44 walls, R-50 foundation, R-60 roof)"
http://www.zeroenergy.com/pdf/2012_EcoHome_Design_Awards.pdf
They used a spray foam insulation. I am not convinced that is the best way to go.
It can pull away, shrink, and leave gaps if not properly applied. and its just so new that there isn't anyone that is overly experienced with it.
Around here in AK,
they use insulation on the outside of the studs to eliminate thermal bridging.
I still would like to look at a home that is made with SIP. The downside is that over the (hopefully) 300 year life of the home, it might be harder for future residents to put on an addition. ("SIPs are a component wall, roof and floor system comprised of foam core insulation, sheathed on both sides to form a complete exterior framing system of the highest energy efficiency.")
http://www.sipbuilthomes.com/index_2.php
I still think any wood used should be "bluwood"
http://www.bluwood.com/
because the area is filled with carpenter ants and termites.
I would like a rocking sound system. That I can crank. While the kids are up stairs in bed. So yeah, I want insulation between the first floor and second floor.
also heard about a house that was designed to "shut down" the upstairs bedrooms if/when the kids ever move out. With a simple switch of a knob, and switch, all water and heat was shut down. There was a door to close to stop heat from going up there, and it was all set. I wonder if we would need a separate air exchanger for the upstairs if we were to do that? Totally separate "zone" in all aspects.
I have been liking the concept of re-using the gray water waste (everything but toilet waste)
to flush toilets. Not sure if building codes would allow it. The water gets filtered... a bit.
I LIKE this: http://www.designwhys.com/?p=38
But I DONT like these: (The sink and the toilet are one unit... tooo ... weird!)
two web sites for funny quirky pictures:
http://www.treehugger.com/bathroom-design/roca-toilet-integrates-sink-grey-water-cistern.html
http://www.fastcompany.com/1288861/five-stylish-ways-reuse-your-grey-water
Okay, so we will have a grey water tank. and a brown water tank. [Standard septic construction] How about a rain water cistern too? Or... How about... we have a garbage disposal in the sink... and that particular sink waste is directed to a composting cistern? In an area with septic tanks, most folks can't have a garbage disposal. But... if that waste was separated to its own composting tank... perhaps?
As we drive around we look at homes - size, layouts, ... it is more fun than ever.
Some must haves - a window seat big enough to sit and read in comfortably.
a library
a sun room or sunny area to chill
a screened in porch
open concept Kitchen/living room/dining room.
Master Bedroom Suite on first floor - with 4 foot shower
About that Master Suite - I would like the bathroom to have a throne room. and also I would like a pocket door that leads to the "guest half bath" so... while one "throne" is occupied, the second person has easy access to the second "throne." Nothing worse that toilet competition!
I want Chickens and Rabbits too. Not sure Dave is on board with that part yet...
Still working on designing that house we will live in until we are 95+ years old.
Here is a glimpse of what we have ... so far!
There is a passive house in Little compton, RI.
It is designed by a company in Boston.
Its ugly.
But...
They used:
"Passive House-inspired
strategies that reduced the home heating requirements to one tenth of a similar new code built home. With
exceptional insulation
(R-44 walls, R-50 foundation, R-60 roof)"
http://www.zeroenergy.com/pdf/2012_EcoHome_Design_Awards.pdf
They used a spray foam insulation. I am not convinced that is the best way to go.
It can pull away, shrink, and leave gaps if not properly applied. and its just so new that there isn't anyone that is overly experienced with it.
Around here in AK,
they use insulation on the outside of the studs to eliminate thermal bridging.
I still would like to look at a home that is made with SIP. The downside is that over the (hopefully) 300 year life of the home, it might be harder for future residents to put on an addition. ("SIPs are a component wall, roof and floor system comprised of foam core insulation, sheathed on both sides to form a complete exterior framing system of the highest energy efficiency.")
http://www.sipbuilthomes.com/index_2.php
I still think any wood used should be "bluwood"
http://www.bluwood.com/
because the area is filled with carpenter ants and termites.
I would like a rocking sound system. That I can crank. While the kids are up stairs in bed. So yeah, I want insulation between the first floor and second floor.
also heard about a house that was designed to "shut down" the upstairs bedrooms if/when the kids ever move out. With a simple switch of a knob, and switch, all water and heat was shut down. There was a door to close to stop heat from going up there, and it was all set. I wonder if we would need a separate air exchanger for the upstairs if we were to do that? Totally separate "zone" in all aspects.
I have been liking the concept of re-using the gray water waste (everything but toilet waste)
to flush toilets. Not sure if building codes would allow it. The water gets filtered... a bit.
I LIKE this: http://www.designwhys.com/?p=38
But I DONT like these: (The sink and the toilet are one unit... tooo ... weird!)
two web sites for funny quirky pictures:
http://www.treehugger.com/bathroom-design/roca-toilet-integrates-sink-grey-water-cistern.html
http://www.fastcompany.com/1288861/five-stylish-ways-reuse-your-grey-water
Okay, so we will have a grey water tank. and a brown water tank. [Standard septic construction] How about a rain water cistern too? Or... How about... we have a garbage disposal in the sink... and that particular sink waste is directed to a composting cistern? In an area with septic tanks, most folks can't have a garbage disposal. But... if that waste was separated to its own composting tank... perhaps?
As we drive around we look at homes - size, layouts, ... it is more fun than ever.
Some must haves - a window seat big enough to sit and read in comfortably.
a library
a sun room or sunny area to chill
a screened in porch
open concept Kitchen/living room/dining room.
Master Bedroom Suite on first floor - with 4 foot shower
About that Master Suite - I would like the bathroom to have a throne room. and also I would like a pocket door that leads to the "guest half bath" so... while one "throne" is occupied, the second person has easy access to the second "throne." Nothing worse that toilet competition!
I want Chickens and Rabbits too. Not sure Dave is on board with that part yet...
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