Solar Success

The panel in place on the roof. Rob installed the plumbing to the panel and the solar boiler. We purchased a new 60 gallon water tank in anticipation of lots of hot water.

The panel begins to get sunshine in the early afternoon. We are thrilled that it begins to work without a hitch or a leak!

A very happy lady about to have her first high tech solar shower. Of course she is no stranger to low tech solar showers having showered under the bag for many years both at the cottage and on Celebrian. This is definitely an improvement.

One of our dreams when planning the renovations to the cottage was to have a solar hot water system. When we first checked into the possibility we were slowed down by the cost; however we didn't want to give up on our dream. After much research we decided we were going to join the natural resources eco-grant program and get the cottage audited. Our plans of only putting a new roof on the building grew to include all new windows, doors, full insulation, low flush toilets and the piece de resistance....the solar hot water system. The grants were made available over the past year to support home owners making energy saving improvements to their dwellings. Once we get our cedar ceiling up and our dry wall taping done we will have the home inspector out to do our post construction audit.
Even with the grant money assistance for the solar system we won't likely save money; however we are happy that we are doing something good for the environment and besides how can you put a cost on a dream?

Beach House Unplugged

My mother returned to her home at Huronview on the 25th of August and no sooner had mom left than the beach house was being transformed once again into a work site. Jurgen had arrived just in time to see her and say hello. He has known mom since the days he used to cut grass for she and dad in Clinton.

Jurgen and John's first job was to finish the soffet and fascia. Rob was hoping to work on the siding; however Rona made a mistake in our order so we have had to wait another week. No worries about things to do. Rob and I borrowed John's truck and trailer and headed south of Woodstock to Curries to pick up our cedar tongue and groove ceiling. Then we proceeded to begin sanding and oiling almost one half a mile of cedar boards. Rob would spend the first few hours of each day sanding and then he and I would apply the Danish oil. In between sanding and oiling we stuffed the rest of the R28 Roxul insulation into the ceiling. This was most disheartening as the insulation rained down on everything and our once clean beach house is once again very dirty; however the good thing is that after the insulation was done Jurgen and John were able to finish putting up the vapour barrier in preparation for the wood ceiling. Rob and Jurgen have started to put up the ceiling and it looks stunning...all our hard work is paying off and the beach house may be unplugged, but it is definitely becoming more beautiful.