1Megawatt Generated !!

In the last couple days, during weeks of cloudy days and spring rains, the sun broke between the clouds enough to push our solar pv system over 1 Megawatt of generated power!!!  The Xantrex system is reporting the the lifetime statistics – Energy produced is 1.022MWh and some 623.6lbs of CO2 Avoided in under 3 months time.  Altho nobody sees CO2 its more of the fact that we were that independant in generating our own power. Even on a fully cloudy day the system will produce 200-1000watts which is suprising.  So dont let anyone tell you that you need full sun and anything less gets you nothing.

Our local power provider, TXU on the other hand is still dragging along with any sort of billing package allow for the excess power that HAS been pushed back into the grid.  Each email and phone call for the last 2months comes back with, give us a couple more weeks.  Last month I change our daylight power loads to be the heaviest with the pool running during daylight hours as to not push to much excess back to the grid for now.

The landscaping has already been growing with the warmer days pushing 90 and all the rain.  The Geo-thermal A/C fills the underground reclamation tanks enough that we water half the lot in the mornings and by the evening the rest of the property.  Depending how the home reacts to the hot summer the tanks might fill even quicker but with the foam insulation we can already tell the house doesnt loose much to the outside elements.  By the end of next week I should also have a report back on the air-quality of the inside that our HVAC company is sampling with a small in home monitor.  We arent expecting anything suprising but we want to make sure the home has enough fresh air.

Earth Day 4.22.09

Well its Earth Day Apr 22, 2009. I don’t know if its  going to get a lot of press we are going to do our part and document it right here.

At 10am central I will disconnect our Oncor grid connection and run the home completely on solar pv.  Weather is  going to be sunny and 93′  here in Fort Worth Tx.  so the test of the foam insulation, UV tinted windows and geothermal A/C will pay off.

I will post times and home status below during the day as my time permits. Solar production below is what the home is only requiring electrically from the solar arrays.

Time:   Outside:   Inside:          Solar production:    Oncor grid:

08:30     Sunny 65′    Kit72,Attic64   Shade – 118 watts    Connected

09:45     Sunny 71′    Kit73,Attic73   50%sun- 815 watts   Connected

10:03     Sunny 73′    Kit73,Attic76   90%sun-1015 watts   Disconnected

12:05     Sunny 82′    Kit74,Attic88   100%sun-1751watts   Disconnected

15:07    Sunny 90′    Kit74,Attic93   100%sun-1626watts   Disconnected

17:03    Sunny 92′    Kit75,Attic98    100%sun-2015watts  Disconnected

17:10  We went back on grid before the sun’s angle gets too far to the west.

All in all..things went pretty good today without the grid.

On another subject tho I’ve learned the TXU who is our local REP or Electric reseller of Oncor power hasn’t got there act together with the Net-Metering customers and its 40+ days past the original deadline of March 15th.  This means that in our case all the excess power we pushed back to Oncor/Txu didn’t credit us for our current bill.  Tho we reduced our usage overall approximately 83Kw is in limbo uncredited back to me.  I’m told TXU management wants to make sure they do it right but they knew this was coming last year and already they blew the deadline.

From reading other forums it seems I’m not the only case in North Texas and probably not the last.

Green Mountain Energy tho does have it in writting and is crediting customers Penny for Penny.

Guess Im making a call to the PUC next week to see if I have any ground to file a complaint.

Moved In !

We moved in to the new home on Dec 12th-14th after we received our final inspection on Dec 10th with flying colors.  We still have a few loose ends to complete inside and out but with the holidays coming we wanted to be settled in.

The pool was completed on Friday the 19th with a blue color tint plaster then we used the well water to fill it. After 34 hours it was full.  A week later, the water is still murky from all the plaster dust and some high winds blowing local dirt into the water.  Acid and Shock were also added to help keep put the water in check but Im still waiting to see clear water.

Landscaping is next on our list. Our first bid came back for sprinkles, sod and plants.  Since its high priced were shopping it out now.

Waterfurnace geothermal units are working great with the cold temps we have had. Last week we dropped into the teens at night and only 28′ in the day. The home was very comfortable with a temp set at 69-70′  any higher was uncomfortable.  The units are quiet tho we do here the T-stats doing a double click prior to turning on a zone.  One unit can heat the area 1 degree in 4min.  Im about to install some power monitors on the blowers to log run times with my WelServer monitor. It doesn’t seem that they run to much and with the foam insulation were not loosing any heat due to drafts.

My next project is our 6Kw Solar PV system install. I did notice some shadows from the home next door so Ill have to see if its going to effect the system more than I’m willing to loose in power. The shadows are from  the low sun during the winter months and since Dec 21st just past this is a good time to see the worst effect.

I made some calls a week ago to our local electrical provider Oncor and asked about a upcoming Solar PV rebate thats going to release in 2009.  I was disappointed to hear the plan would require owners to have the systems professionally install from a list of approved solar installers by Oncor and no DIY.  I was told the plan should release Jan 1st 2009 but could be delayed.  The big problem with local solar installers is that there are only 3 in the north Texas area who are charging 50-100% markup so thats from lack of competition. Im going to try to work with Oncor and suggest they consider all the DIY owners who just need a little help with cost to start rolling out Solar PV.

TXU energy is another story on the other hand.  My first calls to the renewables dept were very encouraging and all tho they are also just getting the program in a draft form mostly because billings systems don’t allow for residential customers to ‘Produce Power’ they will work out the issues.  They don’t have pricing set yet as to what they will buy back my excess power, but in reading what other states are offering customers is anywhere from $.10- $.34 per Kw feed back into the grid.  I frankly would want a higher rate back to me if Oncor isn’t going to help offset my systems cost and I just might have to shop around more or hold out while prices are set if it comes down to it.  I know I’m not going to be producing a huge amount of excess but every little bit helps.

While talking with TXU it also seems they are very interested in our home as a solar PV site in that if they choose to work with us they will have some  actual real time data  that they can use for promotional use or in help with talking to the state to help pass more of these incentives or rebates with the state of Texas.

This is all new grounds for everyone. Tho California and other states are adopting solar for a few years now every state is still going to work differently plus Laurie and I are very open to helping others if its in a positive way that just makes good sense.

Some picture on move in day.

House Guts

I have not really had time to post over the last 6 weeks on the home since the framing was completed plus Laurie and I got Married on Sept 6th and went to my uncles condo in Cozumel for a week. Im actually writing from there now as our return was delayed 4 days due to hurricane IKE closing Houston IAH airport.

I will also post the pictures later this week.

The last 6 weeks the guts of the home went in. Plumbing and sewer lines from top to bottom, All the electrical and security. I installed all the multimedia plus chases for future needs.

After Gallaway plumbing connected the Geo-Supply water lines from the well, Shane and I ran temporary power into each of the Waterfurnace units and were able test the A/C and air pressure for each room. The temp difference from the return and supply was 18degrees on unit 1 and 28degrees on unit 2. Im very happy so far. We did upgrade one unit before we ordered it so we have dual 5 ton into 5 zones total but might change that to 6 once we test after the Sheetrock is completed and we test again.

The water reclamation went in a week ago consisting of 3 tanks. Stan Rollins was concerned with moving the new tanks off the truck down our side slopes into the backyard so he used 3 smaller tanks vs 2 large. We have 2 750Gal and 1 500Gal totaling 2000Gallons all connected together with a 4″ line at the bottom. The Geo-waste water and the rainwater lines are also connected at the top of the 1st tank and any overflow will rise to a higher 4″ line and travel down the backyard underground to the creek behind us. All tanks have a sealed porthole on top so irrigation pumps or cleaning can be accessed at a later date.

Last week Comfort Insulation spent about 4 days installing the foam insulation on the outside walls and some ceilings. All of the walls have about 4″-5″ which should be about an R14-R17 just in foam. Ceilings (floor of attic) will also be foamed then an addtl 18″ of blown fiberglass will be put on top giving us close to R45 to R50 Air Tight!! Air leaks are what kills most of a homes heating and cooling energy needs.

Sheetrock is almost completed at this point. Once that is done our walkout basement floor will be stained then cabinets and trim work will start.

Outside were about to have a stone wall installed to hold up the earth where the pool will be and brick should be starting very soon as the 1st 20 of 100+ pallets were delivered.

Electrical & HVAC

This week the electrical was completed after about 3 days of work. M&M did a very clean job with the runs between the breaker panels and the rooms. I did some extras like separate sub panels in the basement, 1 for the living areas and another in the pump room for the pool

As I thought in planning the circuits on paper months ago I ended up with a couple points in the home with 6-8 wall switches like at the front door. I hate anything over 3 switches so were looking into Lutron keypads possible using RadioRA equipment. We have a about a week before the sheet rock goes up to make a decision on that issue.

Rinehart has been working away for about 2weeks now running all the duct from the future Waterfurnace units to each room. Most of the problem with the slow going is trying to fit all the duct into the small chases and get to each room while keeping the duct sizing correct for airflow. So far we had to give up a couple square foot in a two closets and also install some vents in floors but its looking clean.

I’ll be running all the voice, data, audio & video cabling this weekend myself. Im going to over wire some of it base on future needs or changes such as an LCD tv on a porch for the pool area or some security needs.

We are about to make a choice on who will get the Foam insulation contract. Most companies have come back a second time to do the actual measurements and make some adjustments such as foaming a couple A/C ducts that did have to go into the attic and foaming a couple water lines over the garage area in addition to what the plumbers use.

Last I’m starting to interview the security companies for doors windows and a couple extra needs. I wont go into much detail about this subject tho.

Audio & Video. Since my background is strong in this area and I also know it gets pricey I’ll give the contractors a chance for bids tho I just talked to one and when he said hdmi cant run over 50′ and that component is digital HD my jaw dropped. Nothing worse than a Specialist who doesn’t know his business or what hardware is out on the market. I’m just going to do my own for sure now.

HVAC – Electric

Rinehart Services began work late last week on the air ducts. Its a slow process partly due to the fact the home is custom and we cut back on the size of the home which took some places away for chases. A couple small areas in closets will be framed up to hide ducts from the basement up to the main floor and some floor vents might have to be carefully located but things should work out by the end of the week. I worked in the heat over the weekend myself cutting out a 3″ drain line that blocked us from getting into the basements rec room with AC duct. Spent another 2hrs relocating the pipe myself and will have the plumbers check my work and glue it back together if it looks good to them. The extreme weather in the Fort Worth area isnt helping either. The top floor was 109′ and the basement was 101′ by mid later afternoon. It was nice to see the future wine cellar which is encased in concrete was only 88′. Im really feeling once the home is completed the basement will be very easy to control room temperatures without a lot of effort.

Electrical, Dean and I met a second time with Larry Foil who is the manager for M M Electrical Contractors Inc. last Friday. We talked about the plan and my request for installing sub panels in the basement and pool pump room. It looks like were going to bring in 400 amp service and supply the panels with 200 amps each.

Im having them install dedicated sub panels in the basement (pool pump room & main living) will mostly help with having the breakers local and not having to run upstairs for any electrical issues. Larry’s crew should show up later this week and wire up the main and top floors. I will wire up the basement myself mostly to save a little money and because I enjoy it. They will check my work before inspection.

Solar Power System, We are still looking at installing a 6KW Solar electric system on the south side of the home with the ability to expand its capacity at a later date. Texas took away our rebates some years ago, Im blaming the coal and natural gas sectors for that one, but were going to do it aways. Since nobody really installed solar electric in North Texas due to lack of interest and also the one of two quotes I got back was over $55K I’m going to do it myself for much less and have the electrician do the final connect. So far I have a good quote for the 6KW system with a battery option quoted and pending any other discounts I will list there name on the homes web site soon.

Quiet time

Well as of today things are quiet. The plumbers finished up all the rough in work on all floors, connected the city main and also the geo well lines to the home. I had them run 1″ lines from outside all the way in to the basement 1st where I have a main valve handy. The city service then drops to 3/4″ and 1/2″ through out the home and the Geo well water remains 1″ service to all outside faucets and both Geo water furnace units across the home.

We also signed contract with Rinehart Services Co for 2 Water furnace units. A 4 and a 5 ton unit with 5 digital zones controlling dampers for the home plus both units will provide hot water during a/c of which Im planning on installing a second hot water tank for the 5 ton unit and also connecting to a future outside solar panel system for hot water. Possible in the winter Im hoping with a ground mounted system protected by the home facing south I might get enough warmth to help cover the radiant slab heat needs without too much gas backup.

Shane Rinehart of Rinehart Services will be onsite in a couple days to begin installing the ducts starting from the basement mechanical areas into the 20″ floor truss system and hopefully up to the 3rd floor office avoiding the attic space completely. It looks like we can do it, just have to place it and see. If all goes well the geo units will arrive the following week from the factory and be connected. I will run temporary power to each unit and should be up and running in a couple week. Might be a really night place to work in for the remaining construction, Less sheet rock and painting.

Last, the natual gas / wood burning fireplaces arrived. We installed a large unit in the living room and a med 3 glass sided unit in the area between the kitchen breakfast and family room. We went with both gas/wood to save on energy costs if we choose to burn wood more of the time. It might be messy but wood puts out more heat.

We are still entertaining prices on Foam insulation for the walls and attic. Seems the 2 I have talked with on site each recommend something slightly different so I think its going to come down to personal choice and what I feel is most efficient to protect the home from the outside temps. We will meet with another local contractor this week for what I hope might be the last bid tho we still have time.

Electrical should start next week. Im finishing up the electrical plans when I have some time and will be meeting with our Electrician this Friday. Im planning on doing some of the work myself to keep some costs down and will also be running 100% of all the voice, data and video security since thats my gig.

Laurie and I are also expecting our 1st pool & spa bid very soon so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

Some pictures below.

Kitchen Fireplace:

Last of the roofing:

Basement plumbing, Radiant flooring

June 4, 2008

Rough plumbing was completed and inspected yesterday.
Toms crew covered the dirt with gravel. 2 – 1/2″ R3 insulation panels
were placed on top of the gravel for moisture barrier and to insulate the
radiant floor heat system going in. The gaps are the footers for the
load bearing walls. 5″ of concrete will be poured for the final floor.
We are going to stain the bedrooms, baths and rec room areas and most likely
the outside patio.

Basement pictures

Tomorrow Radiant floor plumbing goes down topped with another layer of rebar and possibly the concrete.

Bennett Water Well Drilling

May 23, 2008

Jeff with Bennett Water Well Drilling drilled our Geo cold water open loop system well.
3 hours of drilling we hit the Palluxy aquifer at 300 f$
The drill pipes were cold to the touch which is a very good thing. The well was cased and capped. Pump and electrical controller will be insta$

The wall forms came down today on what was poured yesterday. Monday Toms crew will return and start standing forms for the remaining walls. We$

Concrete wall gallery$

Basement walls, Geothermal water well

May 21, 2008

Work on the wall forms for the first pour is about completed. Concrete should start tomorrow morning.
About 1/2 of all the walls will be poured and the remaining will take place next week.
Concrete wall gallery

A Water well be drilled just in front
of the garage for the geothermal open loop system. Our driller thinks we should hit the aquifer around 260-300 feet. A multispeed
pump will be used to keep the presure steady. Its a little more costly but will help in the long term with any issues.
All the water will be piped to the reclamation tanks in the backyard then over flow down our hill into the creek.
Still waiting back on revised quotes from the Geothermal contractors since 12 closed loops will not be used.