So it begins, converting a building to a net zero house!

in prepping •  last year  (edited)

Most people start at the Solar panels, batteries, and wind generators; to move fully off grid. I started that way myself, until I realized that it is backwards. You can throw 5 time as much energy at a problem, or you can fix that problem first.

So, I began stripping off the existing walls and floors to add insulation and structure, and the new moisture barriers; needed for an energy efficient structure!

This also allows inspection of what's actually in the wall:
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We also started pulling up the floor:
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For the same reason. Here the old flooring is removed up under the wall, with an oscillating tool to allow the new floor to slide under the existing wall.

We did repair the porch first to carry in wood:
IMG_20231006_163342749.jpg
We stripped it down to the frame, and then we repaired that frame. We used salvaged wood here, to save money, which should be done whenever possible. That way, the money saved can buy what is still needed and couldn't be salvaged.

Here is the rebuilt porch:
IMG_20231006_182327631.jpg
It's solid, and already in heavy service!

Here's the full deck and porch:
IMG_20231006_182341208.jpg
Matches pretty well, and the sum and total cost was zero. Which allows me to direct cash to other places!

Here's enough new flooring for the entire building:
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Here's where the saved cash goes! Nice new plywood that I got a deal on for buying the entire bundle.

The floor is being removed here:
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This also allows detailed inspection with the new insulation install. I originally planned to buy spray foam until I found I'd need to strip the floor from underneath. That, combined with a $5000 cost for R22; changed my mind. From the top, I can leave the old insulation in place; and add R33 for about $1200. The moisture barrier will add another $500 (adding another R4), so it will give me a better assembly for $3000 less!

The stringer structure is going in here:
IMG_20231208_170933767.jpg
These are also salvaged wood, to save where it makes sense. I notice that the floor joists are not spaced evenly, with variations of up to 3/8"; which complicated this work. 4 Inch screws were used here for maximum strength, and it's ready for plywood!

I'll be adding silvered high efficiency doors and windows. When it's done, I'll begin sizing the energy sources and batteries.

Right now I'm expecting that the solar will be sized to 3000 watts (expected 2400 watts), and the wind will be about 3000 watts (expecting 1250 watts actual). The higher solar output efficiency, is due to plans to track the sun with the panels.

But the building Must be upgraded first, to make this work! There is a power pole next to the building, that I hope to just take down; and repurpose for power distribution that I'm making on site.

As the optimist said, falling off a building; passing the seventh floor...so far so good!

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  ·  last year  ·  

This place will be amazing when you are done. It is so cool that you have the skills to do this.

  ·  last year  ·  

ROFLOL, mostly it's just being hard headed! But it should be a safe place to get as the World goes to hell...you guys are still invited to come play.

👍💗🙏📖🙏💙👌🤠🤔😋😁

  ·  last year  ·  

Re🤬eD


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  ·  last year  ·  

I'm an engineer, so I approach things from an engineering perspective. To an engineer, net zero means that if I use a thousand Watts, I also make a thousand Watts. It is intended to allow me to be independent. Since the power there is generated hydroelectricly, my refusal to use their power will not reduce emissions. This term has obviously been hijacked, so I will need to come up with a better term, and stop using this one!

I have personally reviewed their global warming computer 'model' and supporting 'data', an it is prostituted science! It's not just sloppy work; it was put together to deceive, with inferred 'scientific' support. If I had presented such garbage in school, I never would have graduated!

The carbon dioxide boogie man is there for Two reasons. First they can measure it easily. Secondly, the plan to tax it. CO² is an outlier, meaning it has no appreciable effect of temperature. It also is a fed back variable, in that as CO² rises; more plants grow to breathe it in. If we achieve to zero emissions this film wants, all plants will smother and die! Followed shortly by us, because plants give off the oxygen we breathe....

I will be using bio-char at the homestead, not to save the environment by removing the evil CO²; but because it is one of the best fertilizers available!

I guess I need to do another post on this, it always starts a heated debate, and in debate can be learning....

👍💗🙏📖🙏💙😊🤔🤠😳🤕

  ·  last year  ·  

I like what you're up to 👍
Im inspired to do likewise 🙏

  ·  last year  ·  

It will leave me free of outside influence, which is going to be important soon! I feel we don't have much time left to prepare....

In the walipini and greenhouse should give me a year round growing season. I hope to use aquaponics in the walipini, so I can raise fish too.

👍💗🙏📖🙏💙😳🤕🤠🤔

  ·  last year  ·   (edited)


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  ·  last year  ·  

Love it, the Walipini will be using earth battery heat and cooling. Since it's buried 4 feet down I should be able to grow year round in there. The primary growing method will be aquaponics, with 4 systems in use. The Walipini will be 60 feet long, 4 foot deep, and 14 foot front to back ( I may to expand the 14 foot dimension if it gets too crowded); with an eight foot berm on the north side for winter wind deflection. This earth battery will be under this north berm.

It will have over 500 square foot of polycarbonate glazing, and the fish tanks will be buried under the floor. The pumping work will run off of my solar power system set at 24 Volts.

The cattle panel greenhouse design will start with raised beds made from bulk containers with an added row in the center. It will be covered in the 8 mill plastic, used by the commercial greenhouses; and should allow me to grow cold tolerant crops through January, and restart crops in late March!

I will watch both videos to see if they find a problem I haven't allowed for, thanks!

👍💗🙏📖🙏💙🤠🤔🎯😋🤠🎉🥳🎉

  ·  last year  ·  

I Trust your process

Keep us updated here on the block 🥓

  ·  last year  ·  

Interesting video, I may try that.

But the work doesn't change, still needs to be done! I'll post as I go.

👍💙🙏📖🙏💗🤠🤔👌

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  ·  last year  ·  

I'm glad you liked the post! Thank you.

👍💗🙏📖🙏💙👌🤠🤔🎉🥳🎉