Megawatt?

With the solar PV running we wondered how long it would be before we would make a MegaWh of power, we're 30% of the way there!  We're about 300 kWh as of today, I'm guessing sometime 1st quarter next year, just depends on how many sunny days we get.

Green List

We've been asked many times about what we did that's "Green" with the house build....we usually just ramble off some things about the insulation and solar and stuff.....I decided to try and come up with a list of "Green" things, what we consider to be "Green" goes beyond that of just saving energy or money, we also think of things  that are healthy for us, so here's my list in no particular order.  Maybe I can reference it next time someone asks so that I don't just ramble about random "green" things.

• Low E Argon Gas filled Energy Efficient Windows
• Caulk and Foam Seal all studs and joists
• R19 Natural Fiber wall insulation
• R38 Attic Insulation
• 2x6 outer walls
• Bora-Care Green Termite treatment
• Zip System wall boards & sealing system
• Radiant Barrier under Roof
• Insulated Garage Walls and Doors
• Low and No VOC paints, stains, caulks, etc.
• 15 Seer Energy Efficient Heat Pump/AC units
• Fresh Air Exchange System
• Humidity Controlling programmable Thermostats
• Energy Star Refrigerator, Freezer, Dishwasher
• Induction Cook-top (90% efficient verses 65% for regular electric range)
• Velux Thermal Solar Water Heating System
• 6.2 kW 24 panel LG Photovoltaic Solar System
• Carpet, I can't remember what was "green" about it
• Radon release system from basement
• Carbon dioxide detectors
• Low Flow Shower and Faucet Heads
• Dual Flush Toilets
• 96% non-incandescent lights, mostly CFLs, some LED lights placed in strategic locations, maybe I should change out those 5 incandescent lights in the attic space to make it 100%
• Energy Star Ceiling Fans
• Drought Tolerant Warm Season Grass (no irrigation)
• Timers on all Bathroom exhaust fans
• Sealed and Conditioned Basement (eventually to be finished)
• Whole House Water Filtration System (no salt or chemicals)
• Smart Electric Power Strips for TV Systems
• Engineered Deck Boards

I'll update this post periodically as I'm sure I missed something or got something wrong.  If you notice anything I missed feel free to e-mail me.

Making some Power!

We are making power!  Progress Energy installed the net meter this past week and Southern Energy did the final check and turned on the breakers Friday afternoon.
Today (Saturday) I checked around noon and we were making 4.45 kW with a total of 12.5 kWh produced so far today!  So excited!  All 24 panels are showing online.

If the car wasn't charging right now I'd go take a picture of the meter feeding power to the grid...but right now the car charging is sucking up all our power generated, which that's ok because that's kind of like making your own gas for a combustion engine car  ;-)

Updated Time Lapse

I updated the "time lapse" slide show.  I think it's neat seeing it all come together in just a little more than 1 minute!

Southern Energy

Southern Energy used our great photo op the other day on their website.
They also performed our energy audit and said its a 13 on the HERS scale!
I wasn't 100% sure what that meant, but here's the scale from Wikipedia with our 13 on it, apparently that's really really good!

PV and EV, great combination!

When Southern Energy came out to take a reading of the solar panels we thought this might make for a great photo op of the PV panels, Thermal panels, two Chevrolet Volts plugged in, and their Southern Energy Prius.

PV panels are installed!

PV panels are installed!  Next steps are electrical inspection next week, then get a new meter from Progress Energy, then an orientation from Southern Energy and "flip the switch" to on and then "Swayney Energy" will be making some power! So excited!

PV Panels!!!

They finished the install of the PV panels, we're just a couple of steps away from making some power!

PV is scheduled!!!

Just wanted to post that we're scheduled for the PV solar system to be installed on Friday!  Lets make some power!

Move in Day!!!

It's move in Day!

So much going on!

It's been a long time since I've posted anything about the house, but we are down to 2 weeks away from hopefully moving in and there is so much going on at the house!  The first coat has gone on the hardwoods, tile work is done, cabinet hardware is on, appliances are in, carpet is in, painting is done and lighting fixtures are up among other things!

Let's start in the kitchen - probably my favorite room in the house!

This view is looking at the kitchen and family room from the dining room.  I love the huge island - it's going to provide so much storage, plus we have an overhang on the other side for bar stools so I think this kitchen will definitely be the heart of our home.  The island is a dark espresso stain with Venetian Ice granite which has ivory and different shades of brown in it as well as some black.

This is the sink area.  Dishwasher is in as well as all the faucets and the backsplash.  We went with a solid black granite on these counters with stainless steel faucets and appliances.  I also love the cabinet hardware we picked out.    

The cooktop area!  You can barely tell that the cooktop is there from this picture.  Love the subway tile backsplash and the pot filler faucet over the cooktop.  I also love the vent hood and the in wall oven and microwave oven.  

The kitchen opens to the family room (the entire downstairs is very open, except for the office and guest bath).  Love the built in's by the fireplace (I finally have a nice place to store all the scrapbooks I make).  The stone around the fireplace matches the stone around the front door.  You can also see the stain color for the floors - I think it is Minwax's Jacobean.

This picture turned out really yellow for some reason.  This is the guest bathroom.  I wanted a vessel sink this time and we found this copper vessel sink at Lowe's.  The paint in here is actually the same as the family room even though it looks yellow ;-)

Outside the guest bath is our "drop zone" where we will put shoes and bags when we come in from the garage.  It still needs some hooks...

This room off the family room will be our office.  It could also be a first floor bedroom if we ever needed it to be.

Before we go upstairs, here is the front door all stained the same color as the floors.

Lighting is up on the outside of the house.  Can't wait to get some comfy chairs for relaxing on the front porch!

Carpet is in!  And the handrails and ballusters are up.  The carpet is called Dessert Sand I think - it's a light creamy tan color.

Top of the stairs looking toward the front door.  Love the foyer light - found it on Amazon!

Sara's room!  She wanted a purple room, so we did lavender.  She picked out her ceiling fan at Lowe's.

The Buddy Bath (or Sara's Bath).  We did nickel faucets and lighting in here.  Mirrors came from Lowes - I was amazed that the color actually matched the cabinets since they are more off white.  Lights came from Lowe's (again).

Master Bathroom Vanities!  Love the mirrors (from Lowe's) and lights (also from Lowe's).  The walls in here are yellow - Sherwin Williams color White Raisin.

 

Master Bedroom - Paint color is Sherwin Williams Anjou Pear.  It's a goldish yellow color.

Bookcases in the hallway upstairs, right outside the master bedroom.

Bedroom #3 - this will likely be Sara's playroom until we can finish the basement.

This picture isn't that great, but this is the laundry room.

So, that's the tour for now!  I will post more pictures as things finish up.  We are hoping to have landscaping late this week and we are supposed to have the keys on the 14th so we can start moving boxes!  We cannot wait to get in the house and enjoy our nice wooded lot.

Now, I need to get packing!!  

Dawn

Inside taking shape

Been a while since posting, stuff on the inside are taking shape.

Sara's new stage is in place, and that's one full slab of granite, really awesome watching the 4 guys bring it in, that was one super heavy slab!

 Vanity in the Guest room

Master Bath

 Family Room

Cabinets and Exterior Paint!

We stopped by the house yesterday and the painter was still there working.  He's almost got all the exterior paint complete!  The house is looking great!

I absolutely love the ceilings on the porches.

We also had another surprise when we stopped by - most of the cabinets are here and were being installed!  Here are some pictures of the cabinets.

They had started installing the built-ins near the fireplace.

The refridgerator will go here.... 

 Here is where the built-in oven and microwave will go...

 Sara was so excited her desk was beginning to take shape!!

Book case in the upstairs hall had been installed.

 

 Sara had to take a picture of me near her desk...

More pictures to come!  It seems like things are changing at the house everyday!  Cannot wait to see the island and master bath cabinets installed.



Hardwoods are in!

Hardwoods are in, this is the raw color, no stain yet.

Outdoor Painting!

They have been painting at the house this week - they've got the first coat on and so far, we love it!!

It's beginning to look like my inspiration picture with the stone, brick and paint color!  It's a really light green called Ancient Marble and the shakes are a slightly darker paint called Svelte Sage.  I also love the posts and railing they put on the front porch!

This picture shows the paint color next to the stone around the front door.

This is the ceiling paint on the back screened in porch.  It will be painted the same colors as the exterior.

They've also got the posts up on the back porch.  They are still working on the posts on the grill deck.

They have also finished the stone around the fireplace - can't wait for the mantle and trim work!

Lastly, Brian posted earlier about the solar panels going in - we didn't even notice them!  We can't wait to get all the panels in place and start making some power!  The only panels to be installed before we close will be the hot water, but shortly after we close on the house, the other 24 panels for the solar PV will be installed. 

That's about all for now.  We are anxiously awaiting things to get going inside and to start seeing everything we picked out start to come together.  Patience is a virtue I have yet to master...

Sara says to have a great week everyone!





More signs of solar

Southern Energy has been at the house again, we now have a 120 gallon tank ready to store some solar heated water!

Thermal Solar!

We have Thermal Solar (Hot Water) Panels, so excited!  Thanks Southern Energy, the flush mount Velux panels look great, they've been on for a few days but we honestly didn't even realize they were there until today because they have such a low profile!

Video of Progress

Just thought I'd make a quick video of the progress so far, enjoy!

Insulation, Stone and more!

It's been an interesting and stressful past month with all the rough ins for the house.  When you are as particular about things as Brian and I are, we have a tendency to cause problems for the sub-contractors.  We don't mean to, but building a house from scratch, we wanted to make sure that things were where we wanted them so we didn't regret it later.  That can be frustrating for our builder and all his folks that work for him.  For that, we apologize and I'm so glad we are past the rough-in phase!  Now, on to the fun stuff!!

In the past week some exciting stuff has been happening at the house!  We have stone around the front door now and today we stopped by and they have been laying the flagstone on the front porch!  They have also been working on the columns on the front porch.



On the back screened in porch, they have been working on the ceiling.  I absolutely love the ceiling!  It still needs to be painted, but you get the idea!



During the past week, they have been working on insulation and the insulation inspection was Friday and it passed.  So, things are moving along!

On Friday, Ms. Betty, Brian and I met with the flooring and tile ladies at Preferred Flooring in Raleigh.  They were so much fun to work with and we LOVE the selections we made!  I wish I would have remembered to take pictures, but I will post pics when the tile, hardwoods and carpet go in. 

Thanks again to our great builder and his team!  We appreciate everything you guys are doing and we are loving our new home already!  Next to come - lighting selections!  Have a great weekend, everyone!