Replacing Single-Pane Windows with Energy Efficient Low E Glass

11-2-15

We began the search for windows many months ago. We want the most energy efficiency and the best glass protection from storm damage, so we decided on tempered and impact glass, double-pane and argon gas filled. We also decided against vinyl or wood.

We met with reps from several different companies and considered the following:
Renewal by Anderson
Milgard
Marvin
Pella
Don Young
Nuema
Marvin

There were many advantages, but the biggest disadvantage for pre-manufactured windows was the cost.

After shopping with all the major window companies, we decided on keeping the original design - the house framing being the window frames. This will will limit the conduction of heat and make the rooms even more energy efficient, since there will be no "frame within a frame".

We decided to have Hurricane Glass do our installation of 22 new windows: floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, laundry room and 34x37 inch windows in the master bedroom and den.

I have a concern about the roofers inadvertantly breaking a window, so ... better a broken window be the originals  HeHeHe.

So we had Hurricane Glass come out to do the 1st window installation in the laundry room, and after the roof is complete, they will do the rest.

The video below shows the professionalism of the 1st install .... Enjoy!
1st Window Installation by Hurricane Glass

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P J, the Diving Temptress

Concrete Flooring Grinding and More Progess

October 29th

The floors are being ground and sealed by Slip Free Systems.

The Breakfast Room wall has been removed, and a beam installed to carry the load.

The upper walls of the bar have been removed, and Shon has done a mock-up of what the bar shelving, cabinets and bartop will be like when finished.

Also the Master Bedroom door is installed, so we have access to the back yard and will meet the city code for safety.

Enjoy the Video ... and please follow, subscribe and comment !!
This week's progress

Thanks for watching
P J, the Diving Temptress

Crews are on Site !!!

Wednesday October 21, 2015

We are officially under construction, with crews at the house ...

Framers are here from Maverick Remodeling and the electricians from Ohms Electric are here and I will have more on them in a future blog.

This episode shows the installation of the Geothermal wells that were done by Terra Drilling. It only took  1 1/2 days for them to finish - wow was it fast !! Next will be the trenching and piping into the back yard and the installation of the HVAC equipment and hot water heater.

Enjoy the video !   Please comment, like, subscribe and follow our progress .... we have momentum and are on track to finish and be settled in by the time Big Brother, Larry and Patty get married in the Spring.
Geothermal Wells being dug - construction progress !!

Thanks for watching ... and please subscribe, follow AND comment !

P J the Diving Temptress

Electricity Emergency !!!

And It Is Still Ongoing ...

 

Sunday began calmly, but then disaster struck in our home in Clear Lake City.

 

The light dimmed and then glowed WAY too bright. Shon went to the breaker box and flipped off all the breakers. When he flipped the main back on, we heard a loud pop, inside and outside. I saw smoke coming out of the computer - OMG!

 

I immediately called Centerpoint Energy, and about 3 hours later (in 100 degree heat) Rusty, the technician finally arrived. He informed us the problem was not their problem, the transformer to breaker box was fine. NOT TRUE.

 

We had already unplugged everything, turned off all the breakers including the main. Shortly before dark, I got into the shower to rinse all the sweat off, and when I touched the faucet, I was shocked ! In fear for my life, I jumped out of the shower, my heart racing.

 

Monday morning the electrician arrived, and determined that the voltage was surging from 110 to 240v and it was before the breaker box. So another phone call to Centerpoint, and a couple hours later, Brett arrived. The transformer was fine, but the buried line to the meter and into the house was surging, and we would have to have our electrician dig and bury a new line from the transformer. Centerpoint is not required to bring SAFE electricity to their own meter .... WHAT !?!?!

 

So thousands of dollars later, in addition to having many of our electronics killed by surging voltage, we will have a huge bill for that as well.

 

The plot thickens .... About 30 hours after sweltering in the heat, Brett informed us that Centerpoint could provide a temporary feed for 30 days (at our expense of course). We said yes, please immediately. And why were we not given that option on Sunday ?!?!

 

3 hours after we agreed, yet another crew arrived to install the temporary feed. None of the people even showed compassion, much less concern, that I had been electrocuted and lived to tell about it.

 

After 2 solid days of digging down 2 feet through rocks and roots, the new line was ready to connect. Shon called Centerpoint to request the switch to the new permanent line, and he was informed it could be tomorrow or 20 days before they would be back out.

Today the inspector from the City of Houston came, measured the depth of the trench, and would not sign off because right under the meter/breaker box, it was less than 18 inches deep.

The inspector told me that Centerpoint requires my provider to send them an order to connect .... even though we never had power turned off !

 

So after a call to Tara, I got another phone call from Centerpoint. While speaking with a rep, I requested a new meter, and that this new ''smart meter'' be tested as I know it experienced the same surge that all our electronics experienced. I requested a courtesy credit on my account, and that was refused. I also asked to keep the old meter to have it tested independently, also refused. I was told technicians were on the way to address the shock in the shower (that happened 4 days ago).

 

The 2 men that arrived were very nice, showed REAL concern about my experience, and checked the work that has been done so far.

 

So far, what I have learned is that if we had a pole with a line through the air, that they are responsible to the meter, but since our line is underground, they are NOT responsible. What a crock!

 

So we have lost many hours of remodeling time, thousands of dollars in repairs to our power, a/c, and now a claim on our homeowners insurance is filed.

 

Deregulation has given Centerpoint the opportunity to limit their responsibility of supplying SAFE power to our homes.

 

I hope this never happens to you, but if it does, do not touch your faucets !  I am darn lucky I am alive to be writing this entry to my blog. No diving this week, thanks to the Jerks at Centerpoint, who are continuing to ruin day after day for me.

 

Stay safe, and if you find this interesting, please subscribe, follow, and comment.

 

P J, the DivingTemptress

 

July Progress Report

Welcome to today's report on the progress of remodeling our home in Nassau Bay, Texas.

the 1st video is a walk-through of the house

Remodling Progress 7-20-15

the 2nd video shows Shon at work removing the teak paneling from the living room's exterior wall.

Shon Explains Removing Teak Paneling 

the 3rd video highlights the power washing job done by Southwest Designer Homes .... Darren and his crew did a GREAT job and plan on returning when all the construction is completed to touch up and wash the areas that are not currently accessible.
The service was A+ and I highly recommend that if you need power washing in my area, that you hire this Veteran to do your job !!!
Southwest Designer Homes can be reached at 318-321-8122. Don't be fooled by the area code, this is Darren's mobile phone and he is in the Clear Lake Area.

The Power Washing



Shopping Day 7-16-15

I spent my morning talking to contractors, windows, insulation, HVAC, The city permitting department, did some real business calls and then headed out for my errands. Shon started coordinating a portable a/c rental - temps are already in the mid 90's here! And then he was off to work in the heat ... removing the teak paneling off the exterior walls with the kid glove treatment.

Today I delivered the first fabric to David Holmes, my upholsterer, got his opinions on other fabrics I have found and am very close to the final decisions. All of this is contingent upon us getting the carpet we love ...

Then I went to the Sears Outlet Store looking for appliances, we need double oven, stove top, and dishwasher. Thanks to big brother, Larry we have an ice maker for the bar!

Tomorrow is aquarium day !!!!  We have been volunteers at the Aquarium at Moody Gardens for almost 10 years, so every Friday we dive with sharks and fish in a million gallon tank. Yes this is a commitment for our community and a joyous one ... I love being an underwater window washer !

P J the Divingtemptress - Yes I Can Blog

I am in the process of remodeling my parent's home - the home I grew up in. They designed their home with all of our family needs in mind, saving 33 mature trees (one design had the holly tree in the middle of the living room) and this custom home was constructed with leading edge technologies for the 60's. We moved in at the beginning of 1965 and I am hoping our reconstruction will be complete by the end of this year and my husband, Shon & I will be moved in by New Years Eve of 2015.

Our goal is to have a state of the art, energy efficient, comfortable, totally green "nest" and what better way to share this experience than by blogging !

Most people want to "update" their kitchens and bathrooms, not my family !!! We finally have most of the big numbers, and very few of my inheritance funds will even be visible to our visitors .... the scope of work is huge with many expensive components:

• Geothermal heating and air with all new duct work and the exciting benefit of heating the 30,000 gallon pool. Now I will be able to go swimming about 10 months of the year !
• A metal roof with a 50 year warranty including gutters to capture the rainwater
• Foam insulation in all the exterior walls and under the roof that will seal the house and bring the attic into the conditioned space.
• Replacing the fixed single-pane floor to ceiling windows - all 22 of them - with double pane, argon filled, impact resistant, and low E for an efficient and wonderful view bringing the outside in and the inside out.
• Low voltage lighting control that is state of the art for a smart home

We are making very few changes to the interior, keeping the esthetics of the mid-century modern design. So the light fixtures, cabinetry, the teak wall paneling, plumbing fixtures will get a face lift only, the linoleum flooring replaced with new if the budget doesn't go bust first, and the terrazo in the entry, dining room, bathroom floors AND the shower stalls will be refurbished to like new condition. Only the breakfast room wall is being removed for a more open floor plan and the bar will be expanded, the upper walls removed and a countertop added for wonderful parties !

Shon & I are committed to a green lifestyle
We are already well on our way to an edible landscape, with perennial veggies and 35 fruit trees ready to plant as soon as the drip irrigation system is finished. The compost pile behind the pool house and other piles across the back yard will provide great earth by the time we plant.

So join me on this journey I hope you enjoy the ride 😉