minutia

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind.  I have constantly debated writing about the wide variety of meetings that I have been a part of.  Excavators, bankers, foundation guys, more excavators, and plumbing suppliers.  I have been averaging 1 to 2 meetings, site walk-throughs or long telephone conversations a night.  It quite frankly has been exhausting. I know that the most exciting parts of this ride is just beginning, but to get here has sapped much of my strength.  I hope that the sight of the big machines digging into the ground will get me re-energized.  School is winding down also.  I am writing final exams, and getting that all in order.  Teri is studying for her midterm for her first summer session class.  In a word, it's very chaotic.

The latest issue in the passive solar issues are getting the right kind of windows.  Most windows today do exactly opposite of what we need.  They stop heat from escaping from the building.  They are very energy efficient.  Some windows are so energy efficient that they are better than the walls built in a traditional manner. Unfortunately they also block the sun from putting heat/energy into the house.  The amount of solar gain allowed in is represented by a number called the solar gain coefficient.  A rating of 1.0 is single pane clear glass, which allows for complete pass-through of energy.  Most of the windows that we have seen are rated at about .25-.35.   We are looking for windows in the .78 range.  So far no luck.  Haven't tried very hard yet though. 

Thanks for reading.