Building a better home

[herkulease]

I'm eying my aunts home, since from the looks of it none of my cousin's is looking to be the one to take it over.

One of my plans besides redoing the hardwood floors and kitchen counters is network the house.

Is it possible to network the home without tearing down walls or the floor?

house is sorta divided with vaulted ceilings.

its like
[rooms]---open space with walkway on 2nd floor allow you to view down---[rooms]

that and there's a guest house too. I figure dig up the ground and run wiring inside some tubes.

That geothermal system sounds interesting. can it be placed in any home or does the home have to be custom built around it?

 

[her209]

The Hugh Hefner room.

Ohhh yeahhh!

 

[cker]

One key question is -- where you gonna put this house?

In New Mexico, you can make a really good cob house. In Louisiana, not so much. Lots of the 'alternative' building processes make lots of sense in the areas where they developed -- so cob (dried clay + straw) is not a bad way to build in the desert. Houses suspended on poles makes sense in lowlands where water's an issue.

Geothermal heat/cooling is a great energy saver, though. It's basically getting some of the advantages of the old underground homes into above-ground dwellings. In-ground space is still nice -- if you can seal it right, it's great cool storage, or beer cellar.

On-demand water heaters, IMHO, are the way to go. I have a 50 gal gas heater, and I loathe it. It's huge, and while it's nice to have guests and never run out of hot water, I almost never really need that capability. But an on-demand heater is smaller and only runs when you need it. Awesome. This guy installed a tankless water heater and it looks pretty compelling to me. On-demand units can have fine flow, but they have a limit on the temperature increase they can manage. Some backflow systems will re-loop the water through for extra heating. Or you could put a black tank on the roof and go solar hot water.

Light pipes are a nice idea, too. Basically, a bundle of fiber optic lines carry light around the house. You can either use them as a more flexible skylight, or you can run them all to a single high-intensity, high efficiency light source. I've seen some concrete with fiber in it, also, for a light-through-masonry effect. Glass block is a bit has-been to some folks, but it's a good material in terms of insulation and light passage.

I live in the South and one thing I've seen pop up here and there is a suspended roof. Basically you have your regular roof, then a few inches above it you have another roof of some light material. The upper roof gets the sunshine, but since it is not in full contact with the lower roof, you dramatically cut the heat conduction from the roof into the house.

Some stuff you can add to most any house. I'm planning to put out rain barrels / cisterns this spring, to supplement my garden -- and save on water bills. Smart design can get you a lot -- like an office tower in Mexico with no air conditioner .

 

[Barfo]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I'd really like to get a home custom-built in the future. Just for fun I've been looking into building materials, HVAC, and so on. First off, what about water heaters? Is it possible to run 2 water heaters so you never run out of hot water? Or get multiple on-demand heaters? (heard they don't have great flow)

Hmmm Water Heaters in SLI :laugh:

 

[teckmaster]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Another thing I think is neat is the blinds-inside-the-window windows:

http://www.pella.com/maint/blinds/casem...?path=/maint/blinds/casement/operating

No more messed up blinds, no more cleaning them. Just Windex and go

Those are particularly cool but also real expensive. I had a bay window I wanted done. I was quoted for a little over $3000. So I went and bought a normal one for just under $1000.

 

[DieselUV]

I think Amy Devers the host of Freeform Furniture and a couple other shows on DIY is pretty hot. I think it's also because she can build ****** like cool furniture. I can't find any good pics of her but she is on DIY right now.

http://myspace-210.vo.llnwd.net/00246/01/22/246232210_l.jpg

http://www.myspace.com/amydevers

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: cker
One key question is -- where you gonna put this house?

Right now looking at 3 places -

Connecticut
Utah
Arizona (northern part)

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Howard
ICFs, radiant heating, hybrid solar lighting

Add in a geothermal system, hip roof covered in metal/ceramic shingles, and a solar electric system then you have the house I would build if I ever went custom.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

I'm going to this class some time this fall. I hope to start building in 2 years.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: Howard
ICFs, radiant heating, hybrid solar lighting

Add in a geothermal system, hip roof covered in metal/ceramic shingles, and a solar electric system then you have the house I would build if I ever went custom.

Wouldn't the shingles be loud when it rains?

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: Howard
ICFs, radiant heating, hybrid solar lighting

Add in a geothermal system, hip roof covered in metal/ceramic shingles, and a solar electric system then you have the house I would build if I ever went custom.

Wouldn't the shingles be loud when it rains?

They have ceramic coatings, shouldn't be any louder than a conventional tile roof.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: Howard
ICFs, radiant heating, hybrid solar lighting

Add in a geothermal system, hip roof covered in metal/ceramic shingles, and a solar electric system then you have the house I would build if I ever went custom.

Wouldn't the shingles be loud when it rains?

I have a metal roof on the garage and have a new roof waiting to go on the house. If it is properly insulated, you only notice heavy rain noise from the roof when a window is open.
I like the sound of it myself, and we open a window for a while when it really pours.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: barfo

Originally posted by: Kaido
I'd really like to get a home custom-built in the future. Just for fun I've been looking into building materials, HVAC, and so on. First off, what about water heaters? Is it possible to run 2 water heaters so you never run out of hot water? Or get multiple on-demand heaters? (heard they don't have great flow)

Hmmm Water Heaters in SLI :laugh:

ROFL

We actually just got our water heater replaced today and I talked to the plumber a bit about the setup. He said he hadn't heard a lot of good things about the on-demand systems, plus there was pretty much nobody local that worked on them. I'll probably end up getting either one big one or two regular ones plus some kind of recirculation system to keep things toasty. Maybe instead of new technology, just do improvements on old technology - put the water heater in a tub in case it leaks, have a better access system, either outdoors or in a small room with the other HVAC and stuff, and so on. Smarter design work would probably help a lot.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: barfo

Originally posted by: Kaido
I'd really like to get a home custom-built in the future. Just for fun I've been looking into building materials, HVAC, and so on. First off, what about water heaters? Is it possible to run 2 water heaters so you never run out of hot water? Or get multiple on-demand heaters? (heard they don't have great flow)

Hmmm Water Heaters in SLI :laugh:

ROFL

We actually just got our water heater replaced today and I talked to the plumber a bit about the setup. He said he hadn't heard a lot of good things about the on-demand systems, plus there was pretty much nobody local that worked on them. I'll probably end up getting either one big one or two regular ones plus some kind of recirculation system to keep things toasty. Maybe instead of new technology, just do improvements on old technology - put the water heater in a tub in case it leaks, have a better access system, either outdoors or in a small room with the other HVAC and stuff, and so on. Smarter design work would probably help a lot.

The tub is not necessary. A typical installation has a pan under it that is plumbed out along with the blow off piping.

 

[WolverineGator]

Originally posted by: fenrir
I just recently bought a new water heater and I looked at the tankless option. After investigating it, I went with a standard natural gas 50-gal water heater (high efficiency). I found some info that you could actually use more natural gas with the tankless water heater. The new tank water heaters are very efficient, so it didn't make sense to spend $500 more for a tankless water heater. It could take 10 years to break even on the cost (if it used less natural gas) and I do not think I will be at my current house that long.

Tankless is not worth it. I researched this and came to the same conclusion. If you run the dishwasher, take a shower, and run the washing machine, tankless won't handle the load. Also, it's more expensive in winter.

Geothermal is cool, but more than 2x as expensive. I'd rather consider simple things to save money and build a better home: insulate the garage, better insulation, CFL and LED lights, xeriscaping (no grass), 30 year shingle, better windows (insulated and tinted).


Kaido, a lot of what you're talking about is frivolous and $$$.

>>> putting pipes in so they can run wires easily

Uh... no! Run all your wires during construction. I have cat5 throughout and speaker wires for surround sound and patio sound.

I'm helping my dad build his house and we did our own electrical work and saved thousands. We looked into tankless water heating, but it wasn't worth it. We recycled insulation waste (leftovers) by insulating the garage. We will also get low energy appliances. Oh yeah, be the owner-builder like my dad to save tens of thousands of builder profit and put it into your home!

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: WolverineGator

Originally posted by: fenrir
I just recently bought a new water heater and I looked at the tankless option. After investigating it, I went with a standard natural gas 50-gal water heater (high efficiency). I found some info that you could actually use more natural gas with the tankless water heater. The new tank water heaters are very efficient, so it didn't make sense to spend $500 more for a tankless water heater. It could take 10 years to break even on the cost (if it used less natural gas) and I do not think I will be at my current house that long.

Tankless is not worth it. I researched this and came to the same conclusion. If you run the dishwasher, take a shower, and run the washing machine, tankless won't handle the load. Also, it's more expensive in winter.

Tankless is absolutely worth the investment (gas that is). Under the scenario you listed, how would a conventional 50gal water heater handle that load? Your shower would last about 2 minutes. A tankless unit also gives you the ability to control water temp at many different places through out the house unlike a typical heater.

I'd love to know how it's more expensive. A typical gas water heater keeps the water temp in a tank constant. How does it do that? It is constantly warming up the water which costs money. You also need to check your recovery time on the typical heater vs the tankless. In the long run it would be cheaper to put 2 tankless units in series to handle any load you would need but it is a higher up-front cost.

 

[slsmnaz]

dp

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: WolverineGator

Originally posted by: fenrir
I just recently bought a new water heater and I looked at the tankless option. After investigating it, I went with a standard natural gas 50-gal water heater (high efficiency). I found some info that you could actually use more natural gas with the tankless water heater. The new tank water heaters are very efficient, so it didn't make sense to spend $500 more for a tankless water heater. It could take 10 years to break even on the cost (if it used less natural gas) and I do not think I will be at my current house that long.

Kaido, a lot of what you're talking about is frivolous and $$$.

Hence the thread, I'm just trying to gather ideas so I don't short myself

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz

Originally posted by: WolverineGator

Originally posted by: fenrir
I just recently bought a new water heater and I looked at the tankless option. After investigating it, I went with a standard natural gas 50-gal water heater (high efficiency). I found some info that you could actually use more natural gas with the tankless water heater. The new tank water heaters are very efficient, so it didn't make sense to spend $500 more for a tankless water heater. It could take 10 years to break even on the cost (if it used less natural gas) and I do not think I will be at my current house that long.

Tankless is not worth it. I researched this and came to the same conclusion. If you run the dishwasher, take a shower, and run the washing machine, tankless won't handle the load. Also, it's more expensive in winter.

Tankless is absolutely worth the investment (gas that is). Under the scenario you listed, how would a conventional 50gal water heater handle that load? Your shower would last about 2 minutes. A tankless unit also gives you the ability to control water temp at many different places through out the house unlike a typical heater.

I'd love to know how it's more expensive. A typical gas water heater keeps the water temp in a tank constant. How does it do that? It is constantly warming up the water which costs money. You also need to check your recovery time on the typical heater vs the tankless. In the long run it would be cheaper to put 2 tankless units in series to handle any load you would need but it is a higher up-front cost.

Well I wouldn't be opposed to putting in multiple tankless heaters if need be. My main gripe is running out of hot water after everyone takes a shower - I'm usually the last one in! Plus the expense isn't a big deal because if it ever comes to really building my own home I could just wrap up the cost in the loan.

 

[yllus]

I've been thinking for ages now of putting a 8" touchscreen LCD in every room of a house. Pair it with an extremely minimal CPU, and connect it via Ethernet to a central home computer. Then, with that touchscreen interface, have a simple menu system to control music, lighting, an intercom system and a view of the front/back porch via an IP-enabled security camera.

I really need to look into the minimal CPU that I could embed in a wall. The LCDs aren't so hard to find anymore.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: yllus
I've been thinking for ages now of putting a 8" touchscreen LCD in every room of a house. Pair it with an extremely minimal CPU, and connect it via Ethernet to a central home computer. Then, with that touchscreen interface, have a simple menu system to control music, lighting, an intercom system and a view of the front/back porch via an IP-enabled security camera.

I really need to look into the minimal CPU that I could embed in a wall. The LCDs aren't so hard to find anymore.

I like that idea. A Mini-ITX system would be great for that, runs about $100 for a motherboard/processor/heatsink/fan/onboard everything. Or even a terminal-based system. It'd be nice to have one on, say, my nightstand so I can rollover and check the security cameras, make sure the doors are locked, turn on the outside lights, etc., before I go to sleep.

 

[Kaido]

As far as VOIP goes, what happens if the power goes out - no phone calls? That's one of the things I like about standard telephone systems, you can still make calls even if the power is out.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Kaido
As far as VOIP goes, what happens if the power goes out - no phone calls? That's one of the things I like about standard telephone systems, you can still make calls even if the power is out.

In my home I'd have a battery bank attached to the solar system to supply power and a backup generator that would kick over when the load exceeds the solar/battery output. So if my grid connection goes down I would never actually have a power interruption.

The system would be expenseive but I've always wanted to have a home where I was grid attached but not dependent.

 

[WolverineGator]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz
Tankless is absolutely worth the investment

"There's a possibility of a savings from 2 to 3 percent of your energy bill because you heat the water only when it is needed."

Not worth it. "If a customer installs a tankless water heater, the customer is required by approved tariff in ... Florida to pay the full cost to upgrade their facilities (including cable and transformer) to meet the need.

We're building in south Florida. Certainly do your research for your area. Anyway, tank/tankless was a minor issue in our overall scope of construction. Nowadays you can get heat/AC units that are ceiling mounted so they take up zero floor space. I think this is becoming the standard since all houses around here do it this way.

Plumbers will screw you over. You have to go with their materials and if you bring your own bathtub or crapper they'll charge $300 extra to install it. LOL! If you aren't going to be the builder then you don't have to deal with contractors. If you go with a builder I think the best you can do is to do as much finishing work on your own such as installing your own tile and wood floors (we bought 18" travertine for $1.75 sq. ft.), doing your own painting, buying and installing your own fixtures (fans, lights, etc), save scrap plywood to finish your attic, and do as much landscaping as you can handle. What I'm talking about is not glamorous like home automation and connectivity, but it will save you money.

 

[WolverineGator]

dp