Barn Decisions

If you can believe this, the barn is coming along and there is just a glimmer of light at the end of that tunnel. When you really get down to it, once the insulation is in, there is drywall, flooring, exterior siding, and then interior stuff, which is like it’s basically close to being done. I know, I’m being overly optimistic, but at some point you have to finish it being done.

One issue that has come up is insulation (why isn't this guy wearing gloves?). In addition to the usual advice about maximizing efficiency, which of course comes at a price, there is the nagging issue of heating, both of which have been an odyssey of sorts. It is also a good example of where our painfully neurotic indecision may very well have worked in our favor. Here’s why.

If we’d gone with the first idea that was proposed to us, the boiler, it would have been costly and seemingly short sighted, at least from an energy efficiency standpoint. We’re very eco-conscious in these parts. We started with a boiler or a furnace, went to propane Rennai heaters, and now we’re leaning to electric air exchange heaters. How’s that for confusing?

Our good friend CF is very knowledgeable about renewable energy and very active in energy efficiency. He came over, looked at the barn, and gave us the lowdown on going electric. He also advised us on maximizing the insulation of the building. Personally, I thought it was a great sales pitch, keeping in mind that he get zero profit from our decision. He is only advising. As it stands now, we are leaning to new technology, which is an air exchange heating unit, also called a split level heating system. Kind of high tech, though the principle has been around for decades. We’ll see where this one goes.

Another issue that came up was with our carpenter is insulation. We put fiberglass in the walls and were planning on putting it in the ceiling, as well, but then he came back and said that there was a problem... Houston, we have a problem.

Apparently there is a state law that nobody knows about that requires contractors to install a high level of insulation in the ceiling of new construction. They mandate an R value of 49, which you can only get with about 6-7 inches of spray foam. This is exorbitantly expensive, and I don’t know how people can afford it, but that’s the rule. It’s a new rule so even a lot of roofers are not aware of it. When I asked CF, energy guru, even he wasn’t aware of it, because there are no zoning laws in our town.

The problem arises if a person tries to sell their house. If the contractor did not install the proper insulation and the new buyers want it, then the contractor can be liable for rectifying the situation, at his or her own cost. There is an exemption where the owners of the house, which would be, says they are the actual contractor and did the work themselves. Then they can put whatever insulation they want and basically sell the house as is. In other words, take it or leave it.

With this in mind, we are looking into using spray foam in the ceiling. Efficiency is a good thing, and will pay off in the end, it’s just painful in the beginning. Plus, the state offers all sorts of tax breaks to offset the cost. SH has already put in the foam board air vents, so it’s a good start, and I’m thinking they can just spray the foam over that and we’re all set. This should be interesting.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Better Business Listing for the pic.