In article 0>,
Wayne Boatwright > wrote:

> Oh pshaw, on Mon 12 Nov 2007 11:26:29a, Miche meant to say...
>
> > In article 0>,
> > Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> >
> >> Oh pshaw, on Mon 12 Nov 2007 01:44:57a, Miche meant to say...
> >>
> >> > In article 0>,
> >> > Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Oh pshaw, on Sun 11 Nov 2007 11:47:33p, Miche meant to say...
> >> >>
> >> >> > In article 0>,
> >> >> > Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> >> >> >> We have a new home that has two 200 amp panels, both at 220
> >> >> >> volts, and each with a master breaker. It's an all electric
> >> >> >> home, so we have greater power demands than homes that use gas
> >> >> >> for heating, cooking, and heating water in lieu of electric. We
> >> >> >> could probably get by with one 200 amp panel, but I like the idea
> >> >> >> of being able to expand without involving major power changes.
> >> >> >> If we put in a pool and/or backyard spa, we will definitely use
> >> >> >> some of that additional capacity.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > That's good thinking. And you don't have to turn the second
> >> >> > phase on until you need it.
> >> >>
> >> >> True, but the major decision was based on original installation cost
> >> >> vs. later addition. To add it later could run $3-5K, but
> >> >> incorporating it into the original construction cost only an
> >> >> addition $500.
> >> >
> >> > Even better thinking. How's your insulation? A bit of thought put
> >> > into that (and a bit of up-front cost) can save you a fortune later.
> >>
> >> We have 2" x 6" wall construction and the insulation rating in the
> >> walls is R-50 (don't know if that means a thing outside of the US).
> >
> > It doesn't.
>
> "R" ratings for insulation indicate the insulationi material's efficiency.
> What we have in our house is insulation at peak efficiency. Friends of
> ours have an older and smaller home and less insulation, and pay nearly
> twice what we do for summer cooling.;

Thank you.

> >> We don't have
> >> an attic (all vaulted ceilings), and the construction and insulation is
> >> the same. We do have a crawl space under the house, and the floors are
> >> insulated underneath at an R-30 rating.
> >>
> >> Since we live in the desert, winter temsps are not much of an issue,
> >> but our summer temps can reach near 120 degrees F.
> >
> > True enough, but insulation can also help keep the interior cool, thus
> > reducing the need for air conditioning, which in turn reduces power
> > needs.
>
> Yes, where we live insulation is really more important for the summer
> cooling than the winter heating. Where we move from in Ohio, it was just
> the opposite.

Bit of a change in mind set!

NZ'ers are really behind the times when it comes to insulation -- we
tend to have terribly badly insulated houses, resulting in homes that
are below WHO guidelines for internal temperature and a lot of
unnecessary illness from cold and damp.

Also, they cost a hell of a lot to heat.

Miche

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Electricians do it in three phases