So it begins, converting a building to a net zero house!
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:
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:
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:
It's solid, and already in heavy service!
Here's the full deck and porch:
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:
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:
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:
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!
It must have really been a ton of workload doing that
It will be a lot of fight, but it will be a treasure when it's done! Won't take much to make it comfortable....
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Incredible move, hope it all goes well. We've got some ideas on making many decentralized power stations or buying a few.
For energy generation, we're looking at solar panels, hopefully a wind turbine, even feet and hand cranks. Diversifying and getting hybrid products is the way to go.
All good ideas. Use what you can maintain yourself. I plan to salvage one of the old style satellite dishes to put my solar panels on. They are usually free for the taking if you agree to remove them. One the dish is removed, a frame can be added to hold the panels. Sun tracking will increase to output from the panels.
Be aware that the wind generators will never produce rated wattage unless they are in a tornado. Research your local average wind speed, and derate the expected output accordingly. You will also need a dump load for when your batteries are fully charged. I intend to use both together, with a generator for backup.
Keep on prepping!
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You are right, you have to know where to start in order to optimise not only money but also energy and make everything more profitable.
First it is better to optimise the house and then the solar panels. I love the great work you have done. Excellent work!💪
I have wanted to build a net zero house for decades. Just decided to DO it. Every time I pay the utilities, it reinforces what a good decision this is!
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It was a wonderful decision, I congratulate you!
It was a little harder decision with power already on the land, but I believe the grid will quit when things get bad enough. Decision made, ROFLOL!
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Everything will be fine!
I'm planning on it! All I have to do is out think them....
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Sorry, big fingers, small keyboard...I edited the last comment to make sense. We just need to stay ahead of their destruction, and survive what they want to be fatal!
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We are going to do very well!
That's the plan, LOL; but I agree, we are aware and planning, so we'll do just fine!
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The most important thing is that, being awake and alert is already a lot to gain.
I have also been vocal about stupid politics! It will do us no good to allow stupid ideas to go unchallenged. No more of their poison policies!!!!
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No more poison, nothing that affects our souls.
They can only succeed if good people are silent! No no needs to be heard across the land!!!!
No more stupid, it's enough; they need to be tried, convicted, and hung...until this stops.
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I totally agree with you!
Sadly, it looks like they will push until there is blood in the streets...I sure hope not! I don't exactly know how you're set up there, but here what they're doing is illegal!!!!
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Everywhere they are doing illegal things... unfortunately I think there is going to be a lot of blood... a lot of it.
You may be right, it might be unavoidable; but I still hope it can be avoided! Here, things could go really bad, really fast....
Based on this, I still hope for peace; even though I fear you are absolutely correct! Especially here, MANY would die quickly.
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You are very well prepared, I see!
Yes, many will die quickly and suddenly.... sometimes I sense things...
We plan to cut off the area with everyone who lives there. Because people will get desperate...and dangerous!
Get out to the country ASAP, it will be important later!
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I'll do it, I'll do it... it's going to get ugly.
Sadly true! We have four family homesteads on Keystone Lake, so we'll be able to support one another. We plan to communicate by ham radio, and have two sailboats to carry stuff. All homesteads are well armed.
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How long have you been putting everything together? Your organisation is great!
I have been wanting a house like this for decades, but the homestead planning is in the last five years. I've been prepping for about 15 years, the homestead purchase was just part of that plan! I'll keep adding supplies as long as they are available....
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The best revenge is to thrive under the conditions they give us, that they intend to kill us using.
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Let's continue to prepare ourselves with great enthusiasm!
The best course for certain! I'll continue as long as there is prepping supplies available.
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Let's go forward, always forward!
That way we don't have to be a little behind, LOL!
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Prepping is seldom the source of levity...but it can be, ROFLOL!
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Yes, it can be!🤣
I've been laughed at by non-preppers for my prepping efforts. In that case the last laugh (mine) is the most important one!
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There are many who don't believe or say that we are exaggerated.
Their lack of belief, will be their undoing! If we are exaggerating; we are still buying food at a reduced rate, and saving money.
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Let them think what they want, we are on the right track.
True, when we're fine after SHTF, they will be in real trouble!
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That's the truth.... but they didn't want to see it
Unfortunately, reality will likely be all they have to eat then! I'm just happy that my daughter has finally recognized the problem, and is beginning to prepare.
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Everyone has their own time to wake up, I'm glad you did and I'm glad you're with you.
I am thrilled that she has made that decision! I've been worried about her....
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I can imagine it, in my case my brother is the one that I find it hardest to realise, but little by little.
I have one of those brothers too, so I understand!
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But we can hope they wake up, And prepare the best we can in the interim! It will work out, because GOD is still in control....
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Everything will be all right, he takes care of us.
True, I know that's right; he will guide our steps!
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And put Angels round about us....
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No one can pluck us from his hand ✋!
Nice to know....
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That's true, I feel protected by God.
The only protection that is reliable!
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I know👍
That's very comforting to know for sure!
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I am sure of it
Find any place out in the country yet? He will guide you!
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I think of a village far away from the city where I am. This city is not the capital but it is very touristy.
A location large enough to be a tourist destination is a good one to leave when you can. There are half a million people living around me here, but the homestead is 52 miles out into the country; on the shore of a large lake!
A village sounds like a good destination....
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If it sounds good to me too!
Looks like a good idea to me too! A travel trailer might help you get there easier. The one I sent you a picture of was moved with a normal pick up truck.
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👌👌Don't worry, I will think of an alternative.
GOD will hand you one! Grab it and run with it.
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I know, I know that place is waiting for me, I feel it and at the time he will give it to me.
I've found that he plans much better than I do! It's hard for me to wait on him, even though it is always better to do so....
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That I can guarantee you, he knows everything and he organises everything.
Fortunately, for our benefit!
Be blessed.
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Likewise, be very blessed!
I always am blessed! It's nice to have him watching over us!!!
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Too cold here (-18°C) to work on the homestead this weekend. Hope you're doing better....
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My water heater broke.... just today, and the whole flat is flooded.... I have to buy another one but luckily it's only 12 degrees centigrade.
Call your landlord and have him fix it. I'm glad it's warmer there! Here it's (-10°C).
What kind of tank? Gas or electric? Do you have a wet vacuum cleaner? I'm too far away to help much, SMH.
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Calm down. It's electric, I'll have the new one tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon and my brother installs it, we know a lot about these things.
Always calm, just wish I could help! Stay warm....
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Don't worry, I'll be fine. Watch for signs
When the sky splits to the East...that's the one I'm looking forward to!
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I had heard that about the sign in the sky.
That's the second coming, and we won't have to worry anymore....
That the final prepping, LOL!
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There will be 🙏🙏🙏
And thankfully, HE will clean up the messes we have made here!
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It will and it will take care of us. I feel it will.
He has promised, so we are fine!
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Thank you!
We may even be able to help some others through it!
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I will do my part, I always like to help.
Agreed, but we need to work from a good base, safe in the country.
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I hope you find a good 'lair' over there in the country soon!
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It will happen when God tells me, I know it is near, I feel it.🙏
I'm sure you're right, study in the mean time; and learn all you can! We will all need it soon.
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I do, I am still on the right track.
I'm sure you are, you have a fantastic guide!
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Has any place called you to the country yet? I'm sure it will, just pulling for you!
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There are many small villages in the mountains, I think it will be one of them.
The two closest towns by the homestead, are tiny. No stores or restaurants in either place....
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It is a perfect place!
I think so too, solitude, nice neighbors, and fishing....
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The fishing will help fill the pantry, and heal my soul!
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Fishing is a very good resource!
This lake has 500,000 surface acres of water, built in the 1960's; so there are some Large Fish living in there! I plan to eat them....
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There will be no shortage of food, that won't happen!!!
I have less than two acres, but I've seen ten deer at a time on the homestead! There are herds of 50 deer in the area, so we'll be fine. I'm able to use the Corp land for some of my plantings, on permaculture plants; that don't need my help!
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Super fantastic!!! You are very well organised!
It's like free land, very handy! But I've worked to be sure we have all that's necessary.
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You are very well prepared and that's great!
GOD brought me there! The Corp land is thousands of acres, so there should be room.
Found some free wood today:
Will work for framing for the floor, and I like free wood.
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How great!!! the flat will be ready soon!!!!
It will take many many hours to finish this, but small steps seem to be working!
Be blessed!
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Everything will be fine, let's keep going!
True, many small steps will get us where we want to go! We don't have the option to stop....
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Always forward and every small step brings us closer to our goal.
The wood I got in the trailer today, will make a lot of cross bracing at the homestead!
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How great, you have everything very well planned!
GOD planned this, it's from a church, LOL. they needed it gone, and I can use all of it!
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It's wonderful how things happen, there are no coincidences.