Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[SamWalton]

I got a good quote of $2772.10 on a Goodman R22 13 SEAR heat pump with a variable speed inside unit with heat strips and 50 feet of insulated copper lines. I think we will run with this.

 

[mjncad]

Please let us know how you like the Goodman product. Based on a Janitrol (aka Junkitrol) furnace made by Goodman that originally was in our house, I wasn't impressed with their products.

It was so loud it woke my then hard of hearing early 80-something mother who was staying with us for a few days while my BIL and I were remodeling her bathroom. I browbeat the cheapskate builder into buying the POS back from us after I had a Carrier furnace put in.

 

[sajurcaju]

Sam,

Major event being able to move in. Congratulations on a large job well done. Now for the second half...but it will go much better living on site. I bet it is a nice feeling to be in, even without the final amenities.

The leak problems we had were caused by a mix of sagging forms in flat areas and poor prep work/waterstop by our contractor. Putting waterstop in where needed and running drain tubing/gravel cover along all the low spots has worked very well for us. As mentioned before, I'd also consider drains above your roof insulation, water won't penetrate the insulation. Of course, these things are lots easier to do in your case, where the dirt isn't down yet!

A bit more on our heating bills last winter. It turns out last winter was considerably colder than usual--30% Dec-Jan and 25% colder Feb-Mar. That makes us feel a bit better, maybe the house is working.

Steve

 

[carpolisher]

Sam,

Congratulations on your move in! Now you can get right out of bed and go to work on the house. I am very pleased with our Goodman air handler. Very quiet. Standing next to it you cant tell its running. The variable speed is a nice feature.

Bob

 

[SamWalton]

Thank you all for the help support and encouragement. It is nice to be in our new home even under these conditions, which are improving quickly. I will continue to show our progress.

 

[Haoleguy]

Happy 2nd anniversary Sam! Been reading/viewing since you started this post on June 8, 2009. Keep the updates coming including what you think of your systems and materials. Cheers !

 

[dave1949]

Congrats on your move in, Sam and Family! Has to be a great feeling to be on your own property and wake up 'at home'.

Dave.

 

[SamWalton]

Congrats on your move in, Sam and Family! Has to be a great feeling to be on your own property and wake up 'at home'.

Dave.

Dave Thank you! and it is great to be here. It almost feel like a dream. It is so different than in town. We have all kinds of wildlife and you can look around and get the impression that your the only home around. Our adventure begins!

 

[SamWalton]

Happy 2nd anniversary Sam! Been reading/viewing since you started this post on June 8, 2009. Keep the updates coming including what you think of your systems and materials. Cheers !

It has been a while. We started the driveway on 12-09-2008 and began posting on the home build as you stated above. It has been more work than I thought it would be. I am feeling a bit tired and I am afraid to slow the pace. I think much of my problem is this unrelenting heat. We are all hiding out in the bedroom part of the house because we have a few window units cooling it down. In hindsight I wish we would have finished the waterproofing and covered the house before we moved in. Live and learn. Thanks for the Congrats!

 

[SamWalton]

Sam,

Congratulations on your move in! Now you can get right out of bed and go to work on the house. I am very pleased with our Goodman air handler. Very quiet. Standing next to it you cant tell its running. The variable speed is a nice feature.

Bob

My only worry is the inside unit is only 2000 CFM and we have 25 vents which leaves us only 80 CFM per register. We are using the 4"x12" size vents. I am sure it will work but it will be slow.