Passive Solar Retrofit Project

The End of the Retrofit Project

September 22, 2010
The End of the Retrofit Project

For now… planning and plans to build on this particular passive solar project will stop. I’ve learned a lot and enjoyed the time in the house in Montrose, Colorado. As life can move a person to different locations through a lifetime, I have started work in and moved to Gunnison, Colorado (70 miles away)....
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The Variance Passed

July 14, 2010
The Variance Passed

Amazingly, the variance for the house insulation/addition passed. I really wasn’t sure that it would happen after the last Planning Commission meeting. I admit it. I’m new to the whole concept of building. I thought getting a variance was a sure thing from the beginning. Apparently it is not. At the last meeting the...
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Passive Solar Site Design Planning

July 1, 2010
Passive Solar Site Design Planning

Passive solar site design must take the sun’s path into account and its interaction with the house throughout the seasons. In the planning stages for a passive solar retrofit project, I took pictures of the sun’s path on the summer and winter solstices to learn more about how the sun interacts with the house....
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The Winter and Summer Sun’s Path – Solstice Picture Gallery

June 29, 2010
The Winter and Summer Sun’s Path – Solstice Picture Gallery

Here are photos of the sun’s path in the sky on the winter (top) and summer (below) solstices. The pictures also show how the sun interacts with the house through the seasons.  These observations will be used to plan the passive solar retrofit, not only the building design, but also the materials used. In...
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Variance – Planning Commission Problems and Setbacks

June 24, 2010

Last night the Planning Commission had a meeting that looked at my variance application for the ability to insulate the east wall and build onto the house. It didn’t go as planned. I thought it would be a simple thing: grant the girl the ability to insulate and build onto the house. Background: The...
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Difference Between An Owner-Builder and Hiring a General Contractor

June 7, 2010
Difference Between An Owner-Builder and Hiring a General Contractor

Knowing not-so-much about building, I have somehow jumped into the process of building a passive solar addition without even knowing what the role of a general contractor is.  As it turns out, the general contractor is a key player in the game of building. When I first started thinking that I would (simply build...
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Downing Trees – Prepping the Area to Build

May 26, 2010
Downing Trees – Prepping the Area to Build

I have a hand saw. My rational was that if the gorgeous, large and truly amazing Sistine Chapel could be built before electricity and gasoline powered chain saws (not to mention that the whole ceiling was painted by one Michelangelo) then surely I could cut down a few trees with my hand saw. Retrofit...
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Variance Application In!

May 17, 2010
Variance Application In!

While I feel an odd sense of accomplishment, I realize that the feeling is premature and that there is a long (hopefully mildly enjoyable) road ahead in actually building the passive solar addition to the current structure. Step one, however, was getting the variance application in on today’s deadline, May 17, 2010, so that...
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Talk to Your Local Building Deparment

May 6, 2010
Talk to Your Local Building Deparment

Talk to the local municipal building department to see if a remodel or building project on the property is permitted, before breaking ground. While a person may have some really nice ideas of design and building, it’s a good idea to understand local building codes. I have an older stone house, located within a...
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Ideas and Background on the Proposed Retrofit

May 5, 2010
Ideas and Background on the Proposed Retrofit

The present sandstone block house is built of thermal mass, is facing the south-east and has the potential to be an efficient passive solar house. Through the progression of winter and spring, I have thought about different possibilities that would create a warm space on the property. There is the idea of building a...
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