August – September 2023
Underground Wiring
August 5, 2023
This picture shows the underground electrical main cables being placed at least 18” beneath the surface for safety purposes.
Correcting Basement Windows
August 9, 2023
5 of the 6 windows in the basement foundation were framed at 30 inches wide instead of the purchased 36 inches wide that the windows. This video shows using a circular concrete cutter to create the correct opening for these windows. Doing this freehand was a real challenge for this guy.
HVAC
August 2, 2023
This picture shows the ductwork for the Primary Bedroom. This ductwork goes up from the forced air unit and across the conditioned attic.
Additional Framing
August 14, 2023
As a decorative touch, a number of pathways on the 1st and 2nd floor have corner eyebrow arches.
August 10, 2024
This is a picture of the basement wine room. It will be cooled by exhaust air from the LG Heat Pump Water Heater.
Exterior Concrete Pours
August 26, 2023
The front porch concrete deck is poured so that there will be no step into the 1st floor. This is also the case from the garage into the home. This makes it easier for everyone to get into the home, including trade professionals and movers who are bringing goods into the home. We also chose to have concrete porch and rear deck instead of wood to minimize the potential for a fire.
HVAC Equipment
August 30, 2023
This photo is of the 2nd floor Force Air Unit from LG HVAC. This unit is controlled by its own thermostat.
August 30, 2023
This is the LG Energy Recovery Unit. This unit allows for asynchronous heating and cooling. For example, as the staircases are open to all three levels, during the summer the rooms in the basement may get cool as cold air drops to the lowest level. Likewise, in the winter, the 2nd floor may get too warm. The Energy Recovery Unit allows for both heating and cooling as necessary.
August 31, 2023
This is the Panasonic Heat Recovery Ventilator, or HRV, that pulls fresh air in from the outside and removes stale air from the inside. To make this unit energy efficient, there is an internal heat exchanger that will warm or cool the incoming air. This will help maintain a healthy environment in the home. This unit is not only on a smart timer system but is also controlled by a Swidget particle sensor to activate the system when particulate levels goes above a predetermined level.
August 31, 2023
Unlike the old home where there were many old and established trees, the new home will not be planting trees that will be tall. As such, the balcony off the Primary Bedroom will have views as much as 75 miles down to Pikes Peak, which can be seen on many of the wonderful clear days here in Colorado. It will be a spectacular place to watch thunderstorms.
Preliminary Window Installation
August 16, 2023
The Anlin windows were initially installed from the inside out as the exterior StoneCoat panels (these combine a vapor barrier, 2” of non-combustible insulation foam, and a synthetic lathe for stucco) were not available at this time. These windows are being installed at the top of the 2nd floor staircase.
Rough Plumbing
August 31, 2023
The rough plumbing started after rough HVAC work was nearly completed. This photo shows the TOTO metal hanger for their wall hung toilet in the Primary Bath. There is also a wall hung toilet in the 1st floor Powder Room. Wall hung toilets were selected as there is no external tank which can take up to 10” additional space from the wall, as well as making it much easier to clean under the toilet. The toilet seat will be placed about 18 inches off the floor, making it convenient for everyone to use.
Securing I-Beams to Vertical Poles
August 31, 2023
To prevent any shifting of the two I-beams, the beam is welded to the vertical poles and then to plates that are imbedded into the floor concrete.
Fireplace Installation
September 4, 2023
Installation of a gas burning fireplace. As the home meets the requirements of the 2021 International Energy Agency Conservation Code as a prescriptive building, the primary heating must be electric in basis. We are using an LG Heat Pump. The fireplaces that are in the Great Room and the Primary Bedroom / Bathroom are there for supplemental heating if the outside temperature goes below minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit (-25 degrees Centigrade).
Forced Air Unit Installation
September 5, 2023
This time lapse video is the installation of two of the three LG force air units in the Living In Place Institute Idea Home. Each floor has its own forced air unit and thermostat, making the control of the temperature throughout the home more controlled.