Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Keeping warm without costing a fortune




The power poles are finally in place, and soon electrical
access to the property for Mary Our Morning Star retreat house
and the new rectory will be switched on.

 
Construction in the North is complex and expensive.


Thus, construction for our retreat house and rectory is focused on three essentials:

1) Sustainability
2) Conservation of energy
3) KEEPING WARM without COSTING a FORTUNE!!!

So, what looks like a giant Lego block is really
a Styrofoam block 8 feet x 20 feet, which is the
wall and insulation and vapour barrier all in one.



Once the blocks are all stacked up, they are filled with concrete. The most important aspect of this construction is, it is built to last! And even better, has a working "R" value of +50, which, in construction-speak, means the value of the insulation in the wall.


The heating/ventilation contractor said: "You will probably be able to heat this building with a candle."

This is very good because the church has lots of candles!


Dana Sellinger gunning nails onto insulated concrete wall.


Here I am sitting on the floor joists with Dan Sellinger.


Above, I am using the screwdriver gun to put the floor down. Everything is in a bishop’s job description!

For now, this may be a lot of science and technical data. However, it is very important as we try to be good stewards of
God’s creation.


Nothing like a rainbow over Takhini valley to remind us
 to be mindful of caring for and being respectful of all
the wondrous beauty that God has created for us.