Effeciency vs. Design Suicide

I'm sure I will continue to have this feeling at various stages of this project, but again, I'm starting to feel like we will ever get started. It's not true though. A lot of things are falling into place. We've had a lot of subcontractors visit our house and Brian has collected estimates from them. We spent 4 hours with our electrician laying out all of our light fixtures, light switches and outlets. What a detailed job that was! I've decided on doors and siding. I really need to work on countertops, flooring and paint.

Jeremy is busy working on geothermal, solar and insulation options. Our assumption is that electric, heating oil and gas are only going to increase in price so we'd like to do some proactive things to make sure we can afford to live in our house, comfortably, in the future! Last weekend we visited the home of an acquaintance who used a type of foam insulation that fills up every crack in your house. (If you want more scientific information, ask Jeremy!!!) That was interesting.

Here's the most recent drama. It has to do with solar panels. Our house faces south. Guess where the solar panels need to go? South. The plan is to line our porch roof end to end with solar panels. I wanted to cry! My chance for a lovely looking house from the road--ruined with unsightly solar panels. Our house will be known for its solar panels. I know how people talk around here. The older women call one of the houses the "Pizza Hut" house because the roof line reminds them of Pizza Hut. I guess it will be entertaining to find out what name they come up with for our house. Ultimately respect has won over contempt. My husband would resent it if I squashed his ambition of having solar panels. I can't have that. I'll still have a lovely home and I'll probably grow to appreciate them when our electric bills start rolling in.