Planning For a Healthy Home

Here is the latest e-mail update I received from Wayne regarding communication with the builder. Pictures are of the home yesterday, after a week-end snow that still lingers with the sub-freezing temperatures. The roof sheeting wasn't quite complete on the garage yet.

Wayne says:
I talked with Rob and Greg the HVAC person. We went over system and agreed on the HVAC System with a some upgrading. We wanted some items that were very important to us and will add comfort and make a healthier home.

Upgrades:
15 Seer High Efficiency System
Digital Pro Thermostat w/Outside Air Temperature
Frigidaire ERV ( Fresh Air w/Energy Recovery )
Hepa Filtration w/digital remote control
Steam Humidifier
Electronic Air Cleaner
All metal supply and return air ducts
5 extra exhaust air ducts to ERV

Fresh air will be brought into home constantly and stale air will be exhausted. The fresh air will be filtered preheated or cooled and then distributed throughout home. The bath fans will be eliminated and the heated air from showers will also be pushed through the ERV and distributed back into the system as well in conserving energy and balancing the system.

Another Update From Wayne

Here is Wayne's report from his trip over on Friday. I'm not sure why the formatting isn't publishing right. It looks fine in the work window. Might be a software glitch. Will work on getting it sorted out:

The Gerald Home
1987 Stoneridge DR
Wenatchee, WA 98802
11/17/2006

I made the trip over by myself as my wife was needed at work. I did information sheets
for HVAC, Electrician, and Plumber and discussed with my wife before departing.
Sunrise on Snoqualmie Summit was beautiful; a little black ice on Blewett Pass but my
car with Blizzak stud less tires got me to the 9:00 AM appointment at Bagdon’s.

The cabinets are to be Shaker Style 5 piece front of Cherry in kitchen and baths, Alder in
utility room with a warm & fuzzy/light pecan stain. All cabinets raised 2 inches to 38
inch height. Reed glass added to accent in a couple of cabinets and pantry door. A section
of 6’ x 8’ cabinets were also decided to be put into the garage.

The builder (Rob Cannon) and I then met the installer of the Bean Vacuum System from
Sew Creative at the site. He had the home laid out for 3 outlets but I wanted some
overlapping and decided on 5 outlets. The motor installation area in garage was decided
with motor to have a silencer muffler and also be vented to the outside for noise
reduction.

We took a lunch break with of course some more discussion and back to the site to
HVAC appointment. Once again I was told about the cheap energy in Wenatchee and
payback period with most people only installing 13 seer systems which is minimum seer
required by government energy standards. Well, I said no way and we are upgrading to a
16 Seer High Efficiency Heat Pump & Handler with Variable Speed.

The heating and cooling system in my opinion is the heart of the home. Upgrading here
for energy, health, and comfort would be a big plus now and for the future. A dual air
filtration system with Hepa Filtration and Electronic Air Filter; as well as, Fresh Air
Circulation with Heat Recover. A whole home Steam Humidifier was also added to
system and a digital control screen for all functions including outside air temperature.

The electrician got tied up on another job and we were not able to meet with him today. I
did go over much of the electrical changes and upgrades and gave Rob a sheet for him; as
well as, the electrician.

The plumber was in the area and able to meet with us although there was not a lot of
changes to be made to the home. I did want to make sure there would be a pressure
reducing value and it was confirmed that there was one in garage.

I also asked him to rough plumb for a whole house water filtration system. We have a
Blue Rhino System picked out that will filter out metals, silt, contaminants, nitrates,
chemicals and etc but did not know if it would be available in time for installation as the
plumber plans to begin on Monday the 27th.

We did decide as we will have a pool and additional mechanical equipment; as well as,
the arger foot print of a rambler to have hose bibs put on all sides of home. A third leg
water line is to be installed for water recirculation back to water heater. This saves water
by having hot water at faucets and showers at time of turning them on controlled by
timers and switch controls. Water needed to be plumbed to HVAC area for humidifier; as
well as, drain and supply water to utility needed to be lowered for front load under
counter mounted washer and dryer.

It was a busy day with a lot of decisions even without meeting with the electrician. I
made it over Blewett in the twilight and sunset just as I crested Snoqualmie Pass on my
return back home.

Wayne Gerald

Wayne's Update

I asked Wayne to give me a rundown of what he and Susan accomplished during their visit here last week-end. Here is his reply:

"Another productive meeting with Rob. We did a lot of discussion and preparation for our next meeting with Electrician, HVAC, Cabinetry, and Home Vacuum System People. Incorporating the low voltage deck mission light to interior accent lighting, location in garage for low voltage transformers & sprinkler system controls. Controls to be mounted inside rear garage with a frame similar to large switch plate cover to have good accessibility to mechanical equipment.

The 4' x 4' window in master bath changed to octagonal window. Also put 1/2 octagon window from bath to master bedroom. The dropped or coffered ceiling to be in master bedroom, dining room, and nook were discussed and decided to all be also of octagon design.

We dropped off the cat doors and weathervane bracket. Traditional roster ( copper ) to be mounted on the garage roof.

Do to the planned exterior solar shades or sun screens we decided to have the window wrapping increased from 4 to 6 inches. Cabinet height was decided to be raised from standard 36" to 38". Cabinets were decided to be added to garage that would require extra blocking by builder.

The building process appears to be moving along rapidly and a lot of decisions need to be made and we want these to be well thought out and made as not to delay the builder.

I will be back in Wenatchee this Friday meeting with Rob at the Cabinet, Door, & Hardware Company at 9:00 AM. Then on to the appointments with electrician, heating & air condition; as well as, vacuum system people. Rob said he also would have a plat map with home digitally placed so we can start our basic landscape design and be prepared to meet with landscaper."

Trusses Are Coming Along

Wayne and Susan were back in town today to check on the progress of the house. Finally, there are some trusses up to make it take the shape of a real house.

When Wayne gets back home, I'll have him send me a narrative of some of the things they discussed with Rob and other decisions they are in the process of making.

Click on any image to enlarge.

mailto:Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com

Mass of Interior Wall Framing

Still no trusses. As winter approaches, time becomes more critical to get the trusses up and the roof on. It's difficult to see the progress since the last entry, but there has been a lot done on interior walls and window framing. This is a phase difficult to take pictures because it's just a mass of interior wall studs.

Wayne and Susan made an unexpected trip over last week-end to visit with the builder and make a few more decisions. I was able to be at the meeting but here are Wayne's comments via e-mail:
"We picked window grids, refined the stone work, talked about vacuum system, low voltage hall lighting ( similar to path lighting in landscape ), ceiling fans, floors, and cabinetry. Sue liked the shaker cabinetry, now we are deciding whether cherry or alder with a light pecan stain. I ordered 7 ceiling fans, 6 casablanca panama-six speed & an outdoor casablanca for the porch."

I believe we got a lot done and this way Rob is able to order the windows this week."

Stay tuned...

Carol Williams,
Real Estate Agent