[ClintK]

Originally Posted by order99

Only slightly off-topic I hope!

All these discussions / ideas sound good to me!

[JRP3]

Bubble wrap is a great idea! I've got one wall of windows that I might have to try that on.

[Amberwolf]

As an aside regarding DC operation: Many switching power supplies, including those of most laptops and desktop computers I have played with recently in my stuff piles, will run on DC input. Some go as low as 24-28VDC, some require 48-60VDC. The lower the input voltage, usually the current draw goes up proportionally.

So there's another option for powering things that otherwise require "perfect" inverters.

I haven't checked my laser printer for DC operation, but it's an older HP OfficeJet (big stackable tray kind), and IIRC it uses the 110VAC for the fuser lamp.

[ClintK]

I probably won't mess with separate 12V DC and 120V AC lines. Now if I have a couple items (water pump for example) that can take a 48V DC input, I might do that.

I got a call back from the Environmental Office saying I'm in not just a flood plain, but also a flood way. So now I have to get an engineer to review my culvert design and obtain a "No Rise" certificate. For some reason they don't want me changing the size of the flood zone and ruin my neighbors houses!

Small delay (hopefully not too expensive) and then the road will commence!

[ClintK]

The house / solar panels will go somewhere around here...

We're also trying to decide on exterior wall construction... ideas are:
1. 6" studs with lots of insulation
2. 8" CMU (concrete) blocks with 4" studs inside with insulation
3. Insulated CMU blocks like http://www.nltbuildingproducts.com/Q...reteBlock.html

[Buckster]

Have you thought about ground source energy solutions as well?

[JRP3]

I always liked the idea of the reverse to those blocks: http://www.icfhomes.com/ They look as if they would be light and stack up quickly with no mortar to deal with between joints, and by having the concrete in the middle there is a thermal break from the inside and outside and the thermal mass seems better insulated. I believe they have a much better R value than the center foam blocks you linked too.

[dreamer]

Originally Posted by ClintK

The house / solar panels will go somewhere around here...

We're also trying to decide on exterior wall construction... ideas are:
1. 6" studs with lots of insulation
2. 8" CMU (concrete) blocks with 4" studs inside with insulation
3. Insulated CMU blocks like http://www.nltbuildingproducts.com/Q...reteBlock.html

The FAQ for those Qomposite blocks says R16, even though the Main Page says R19. Did you contact them for a cost ? I hate it when manufacturers weasel with statements about how "it requires less labor, so costs are comparable" rather than giving an actual cost. After all, if I'm building it myself, labor cost is zero.

Those Qomposite blocks also appear to be mortared together rather than mortarless interlocking like these http://www.haenerblock.com/haener_direct.html so how straight and level your walls are will depend on how good a mason you are. The mortarless block systems allow non-masons to get nice level, square walls.

Something to consider with any CMU is how much of the house will be underground. By berming earth up to a 3 or 4 foot level around the house, that portion of the wall can easily be R20 to R60 as earth has an R value of 1 per inch and is literally dirt cheap. I'm considering building a house and going with CMU up to a 3 foot level, and then 2x6 wood structure above that. A 2x6 wall filled with cellulose is about R20. Filled with soy spray foam, it's about R30, but about 10x as expensive.

[ClintK]

Originally Posted by dreamer

The FAQ for those Qomposite blocks says R16, even though the main page says R19. Did you contact them for a cost ? I hate it when manufacturers weasel with statements about how "it requires less labor, so costs are comparable" rather than giving an actual cost. After all, if I'm building it myself, labor cost is zero.

I was just posting that as an example - haven't picked out a specific foam/concrete style to go with.