Just some space where I can rant and express myself, and share come cool links!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Epihany... Or duh!
So I'm at costco today and I'm about to pick up a super size pack of zip-lock bags when I ask myself: "it seems rather wasteful to consume these bags. It's too bad there isn't another way to keep stuff from getting freezer burned. Then I realized that I had recently bought new Pyrex storage-ware containers for leftovers and reheating stuff, and that meant that I had two sets of other containers that would work perfectly in my freezer (but not so well in the microwave - thus the Pyrex). Ta-da! ... Or duh.
Sunday I got under the house to run the Ethernet from the home entertainment center to the office, and made an awful discovery. The exhaust flue for my furnace was no longer connected to the outdoors. In fact, it was pumping moisture, CO2 and CO into my crawlspace. On the plus side, that extra heat was getting directed into my living room more-or-less. On the negative side, death. Until it is resolved, it means no heat for me.
Sunday night wasn't too bad. Come to think of it, Monday and Tuesday nights weren't bad either - good comforter. Monday day working at home was ok because I put on long johns, though by the afternoon, I was putting on regular clothes because my office was that warm (3 computers, and two displays will warm up a room.) Today was unbearable. About halfway through the day I had to get a blanket to keep my legs warm. It was probably mid 60's in the office, which is fine if you're moving about, but a little chilly if you're sitting still. It was as low as 48 in the front of the house this afternoon.
After working, I decided that waiting for the furnace guy to call me back was not going to be a tolerable solution any more. I put on my grungies (gift idea - a gift certificate for some XXXL professional overalls would be lovely. There's nothing like dirt & slivers in your backside from crawling under the house.) It turns out that a universal elbow section of the 4" exhaust pipe had entirely rusted through and broken. It's more or less the weakest point in the system anyway, and by that point, the hot air is cooler and is more likely to condense liquid inside the pipe. I crawled back out (a good 20' one way on my belly) took a trip to home depot, got the replacement part, and got it installed. Praise the lord, the heat works again! I used to grumble about using the gas to heat the house. Not anymore. I hear that gas hissing through the regulator, and it suits me just fine.
Of course I am going to replace the heating system in my house some time soon. Here's what needs to happen: 1) replace the knob and tube electrical wiring in my ceiling and walls. (contractor) 2) Insulate the ceiling and exterior walls. (contractor) 3) purchase and install storm windows (and screens for the summer) (me) 4) Size (the reasons for 1, 2 & 3) and install a radiant heating system. (contractor) 5) oh yeah, and replace the foundation.
Here is the idea (yet to be confirmed by an expert) I'd like to do radiant heat under the floorboards of the house, insulating with reflective insulation to keep the heat radiating upwards. Heat the water with an electric boiler, and some water solar panels on the roof. Install an on-demand water heater, or perhaps leverage the boiler for the regular hot water in the house. My first priority is to get away from using gas to heat the house. Secondarily, I'm looking for a more efficient way of heating the house, and I understand that radiant heat is significantly more efficient at heating a space than forced air heating is. In addition, it's easier on the allergies.
Anyway - to summarize. Heat again - yes. Electrical work - soon, to be followed by insulation. Windows can happen at any time. Once the house is as insulated as it's going to get, time for a new heat source for the house! Even warmth throughout the house? I can't imagine!
I'm contemplating two zones for the heat. One for the "public" areas of the house, and another for the private areas. That way in the evening, you can cut the heat in the public areas, and just keep the bedrooms, and bathroom warm. Here's another crazy idea. I am thinking of putting the radiant heat under the bathtub. It's steel with a porcelain finish. Can you imagine the bathtub always being warm independent of hot water you might put in there? Your baths would last longer too! That'd be pretty damn cool.
