Lets start an owner/builder topic

[HADave]

Emily~ I agree what a great topic sharing info is what life's all about. Let me be one to say thanks for your input regarding container sales. I checked them out and they have a location in New Jersey that will ship to our home in Maine for a reasonable amount but it is the price on the container itself WOW! 1800.00 for a used 40 ft dry box, not bad. We've done checking there and storage units of any size that even available are running 1.00 per sq foot per month that translates into just over 300.00 for similar size and with the container you own it and have the option of selling when through with it.

I thought I would bring up the topic of Mold & Mildew, it has to be a consideration when building and depending on ones location it could be a very important precursor to maintaining a healthy home as well. I do know that if one can keep a home below 60% relative humidity mold should not be to much of an issue but with 100 - 300 inches of rain yearly and homes built with out the means to dehumidify its is going to happen and once in the wood its there to stay. I for one don't want to trade shoveling snow for scrubbing mold. So hear a thought, sorry not for all but those at higher elevations with westerly air flows might enjoy and outdoor furnace of sorts. Here in the northeast it is similar to Hawaii in that we have a range of climatic changes only not so related to elevation but when we have our time of hot humid and I mean humid 90% sometimes for weeks on end molds grows but some of us cure that problem with dry heat much like they do on the Island during the cooler season for warmth but what if you could have a system that you could control the discharge temperature and use it when ever you wanted as well as enjoy all the hot water you could want and even heat a pool or multiple buildings. I'm talking about outdoor furnaces that burns most anything you throw into them that will make smoke. some are so incredibly efficient that seeing them here even in the dead of the winter they will have icicles hanging from the chimneys. They are stand alone units and completely automatic all you do is throw wood or what ever at them and run a thermostat like you would with any heating system I also believe they could be controled with a himidistat so when hunidity becomes very high for long durations it will cal for dry air as long as you need it. The other up side to one these little beauties is they help keep properties in check from organic debris to large to compost and the stuff doesn't have to be all that dry either. Insurance companies also love them as there is no fire in the home and they can be kept great distances away. Good ifo about mold go to healthandenergy.com/mold.htm If you didn't not insulate your home a thought to remember is wood only has an r-value of 1.41 per inch for most softwoods and .71 for most hardwoods so I don't think you would easily over heat your home from daily use and a bit of dry air now and again would help keep things in check. Not to mention keeping bugs at bay. There are lots of these system being made just use your search engines and look for outdoor furnaces. A plan we are considering.... Dave and Peggy's count down to Paradise