I'ts Coming Together
It’s coming together!!! Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time for updates as it’s busy season at work so please be patient and hopefully I’ll get something up soon. For a quick update, the basement suite kitchen has been completed, including the 24 volt fridge, microwave, wood stove, and propane oven and cooktop. The photo voltaic solar panels are now up and running and the Longvie propane wall heater is installed. Also, I’m currently experimenting with some different LED lighting and setups.
Upcoming projects….the propane generator needs to be installed and the interior trim and interior doors still need to be installed.
Some of the Local Wildlife
These are a couple of my more creative and cute neighbours!!!
Stairway to Heaven or Ramp Down to the Dock?
I have been working in the heating and ventilation industry and consulting to people building new homes for 30 years. Good stewardship of resources and concern for the environment have been my focus. In 1982, we built (and still live in) one of the most energy efficient R2000 homes in Canada. My other involvements relating to energy efficiency, comfort and health in the home include speaking on numerous radio talk shows, teaching workshops and appearing on 
I’ve enjoyed reading your site and about your cabin project. We have a lake house, but ours is on the lake. We have a float cabin on Powell Lake. It is water access only and we have minimal power needs, but we so have solar and wind installed for a few lights and recharging our electronic devices. You mentioned a propane generator. I just purchased a wood stove generator that we are very excited about. We don’t get much sun and limited wind (mostly during storms) during the winter. The wood stove goes 24/7 in the winter so this is a great solution for us. We purchase it from http://www.tegpower.com/products.html. We are just installing it so I don’t have a detailed report yet, but we do know that it is generating power to recharge our battery bank. – Margy
Comment by Margy — November 9, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
Thanks for your comments and especially thanks for this information about Teg Power. I have since been in touch with them and I expect I will order one of their units however I’m not sure which size to order. Before I do I would appreicate hearing from you again once you have had yours up and running for a few weeks. At our place it will work out great as the battery bank is 6″ directly behind the wood stove. We just need to go through an interior wall.
Thanks again
Doug
Comment by dougrempel — November 24, 2009 @ 12:39 am
I will do that. We are still testing our unit and need some adjustments from TEG. They have been great with their customer service during our setup. We are electrical newbies so it has been a learning experience for us. My guess it will be into December before we get it fully installed and tested because we are due to take a trip next week and won’t return until mid-December. I’ll keep your message as a reminder to get back to you. – Margy
Comment by Margy — November 25, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
What a beautiful home you have! WOW!
I live in a 175 year old log home near Ottawa. Our primary of heat in the winter is our Pacific Energy woodstove. We are considering replaceing our baseboard heaters with 2 Longvie units(upstairs & mainlevel) because ductwork is not an option.
Why did you choose Longvie. I have not seen any reviews on these heaters and want to make a responsible decision. so far looks like a good option but nothing to base it on.
Scott
Comment by scott — November 18, 2009 @ 2:00 am
Hi Scott
It is a very special place…I do feel lucky. The real beauty is in the surrounding mountains and lake. There is a free public camp ground 1KM from our place (Strawberry Point) where any one with a tent can enjoy the same great time in nature.
The Longvie heaters are well built, work great and with the sealed combustion and double wall firebox are very efficient and safe. With a built in thermostat and with no electrical required they will work in a power failure. That said Longvie may be the wrong product for you and if my hunch is right the baseboard heaters are too. The reason is that both Longvie’s and baseboard heaters produce convection heat (warm air) and in a structure that is 175 years old it is likely that it has a significant air leakage. So you heat the air and it leaks outside. If this is true then a radiant heater will work better because instead of heating air you will be heating objects. You will consume less energy and be more comfortable at a lower temperature.
One suggestion / option would be a Valor 530 (built in or freestanding fireplace) which is available in both natural gas and propane. It is a radiant heater, thermostatically controlled and requires no electricity other than a 9 Volt battery for the control and 4 AA’s on the receiver.
I hope this helps…let me know how you make out or contact me again for advise.
Regards
Doug
Comment by dougrempel — November 24, 2009 @ 1:17 am