First house and a lot of work.

Phantom · 08-08-11, 11:55 AM

I'm now new to here but never introduces myself some of you will know me from EcoModder, I like to build and fix things and always have just ask my 3yr old self.

I am 25 years of age and finally graduated from Northern Kentucky University, my younger fiancee also graduated last semester from University of Louisville. After graduation she got a nice job with the company she was working for and we started looking for a house in Louisville. One of the first houses we looked at we fell in love with but kept looking a little more before going back and placing a bid on the house. A month and a half later we had a house and it was time for me to move all my stuff 80min south of my parents house. I currently am commuting the 80min to work till I get a different job.

Now its time to start EcoRenovating the cheapest/easiest ways possible as I do not have much spare time or money right now. I will post more on that later and add some pics when I get the time.

The house is a capecod that was built in 1942. More on the house when I update this.

Phantom · 08-08-11, 11:56 AM

The list of projects

---------------
Finished
---------------
Digital Thermostat
Plant garden
Build compost pile
Switch to cut power to AC at peak times (I get a discount for this)
Add dimmer switches
Changed light fixtures
Label fuse box (never finished)
Add insulation to sunroom floor
Wall outlets and switches sealed

---------------
To do
---------------
Finish sealing duct work
Seal down stairs windows add privacy cover.
Add insulation to up stairs walls/roof
Add pipe insulation
Seal cracks in outer door jambs
Insulate foundation sill (working on)
Replace the two circuits that still have aluminum wire

Replace old outlets that can't hold a plug, one outlet fell apart in my hand

Redo bathroom shower

---------------

Do all the other little and big things associated with a new (to me) house.

strider3700 · 08-08-11, 12:50 PM

sealing the windows and the doors will almost certainly be your best band for your buck.

Daox · 08-08-11, 01:12 PM

Yep, sealing is by far the biggest thing to do. Fortunately, its also pretty cheap! Unfortunately, it can be quite time consuming.

S-F · 08-09-11, 09:32 AM

I don't know about down there but in MA there are a bunch of weatherization classes made available by the state. I suppose they could be pretty lame but here they have gone out of their way to make them fantastic. I took one last winter and the state paid for it since I didn't have much work. My teachers were geniuses who have been in the super insulation movement since the 80's so even though a lot of the material wasn't new for me it was still a blast. I think the tuition was about $600 and worth every penny to a home owner. You'll easily save as much with the work you'll be able to do.

And congratulations on the new house! I wish you many years of happiness there and I hope you get it up to snuff to the point where you can actually afford to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

08-08-11, 11:55 AM	#1
Phantom Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 101 Thanks: 13 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	First house and a lot of work. I'm now new to here but never introduces myself some of you will know me from EcoModder, I like to build and fix things and always have just ask my 3yr old self. I am 25 years of age and finally graduated from Northern Kentucky University, my younger fiancee also graduated last semester from University of Louisville. After graduation she got a nice job with the company she was working for and we started looking for a house in Louisville. One of the first houses we looked at we fell in love with but kept looking a little more before going back and placing a bid on the house. A month and a half later we had a house and it was time for me to move all my stuff 80min south of my parents house. I currently am commuting the 80min to work till I get a different job. Now its time to start EcoRenovating the cheapest/easiest ways possible as I do not have much spare time or money right now. I will post more on that later and add some pics when I get the time. The house is a capecod that was built in 1942. More on the house when I update this.

08-08-11, 11:56 AM	#2
Phantom Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 101 Thanks: 13 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	The list of projects --------------- Finished --------------- Digital Thermostat Plant garden Build compost pile Switch to cut power to AC at peak times (I get a discount for this) Add dimmer switches Changed light fixtures Label fuse box (never finished) Add insulation to sunroom floor Wall outlets and switches sealed --------------- To do --------------- Finish sealing duct work Seal down stairs windows add privacy cover. Add insulation to up stairs walls/roof Add pipe insulation Seal cracks in outer door jambs Insulate foundation sill (working on) Replace the two circuits that still have aluminum wire Replace old outlets that can't hold a plug, one outlet fell apart in my hand Redo bathroom shower --------------- Do all the other little and big things associated with a new (to me) house. Last edited by Phantom; 11-12-13 at 09:32 AM.. Reason: Update and add links

08-08-11, 01:12 PM	#4
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Yep, sealing is by far the biggest thing to do. Fortunately, its also pretty cheap! Unfortunately, it can be quite time consuming. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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08-08-11, 12:50 PM	#3
strider3700 Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver Island BC Posts: 745 Thanks: 23 Thanked 37 Times in 30 Posts	sealing the windows and the doors will almost certainly be your best band for your buck.

08-09-11, 09:32 AM	#5
S-F You Ain't Me Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Northampton MA Posts: 662 Thanks: 6 Thanked 71 Times in 58 Posts	I don't know about down there but in MA there are a bunch of weatherization classes made available by the state. I suppose they could be pretty lame but here they have gone out of their way to make them fantastic. I took one last winter and the state paid for it since I didn't have much work. My teachers were geniuses who have been in the super insulation movement since the 80's so even though a lot of the material wasn't new for me it was still a blast. I think the tuition was about $600 and worth every penny to a home owner. You'll easily save as much with the work you'll be able to do. And congratulations on the new house! I wish you many years of happiness there and I hope you get it up to snuff to the point where you can actually afford to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.