"It Isn't Easy Being Green": Title 24 Energy Requirements

With apologies to Kermit the Frog, "It isn't easy being green"--especially if you live in California and are building a new home. The "Title 24" energy requirements are putting a crimp in our budget and lighting choices. Only certain types of lighting are permitted in a new home and the choices are limited--and UGLY! One thing we really wanted in our log cabin was lighting that reflected a rustic feeling; however, there aren't rustic lighting choices that are Title 24 compliant--at least we haven't been able to find any. So, we had to settle for some pretty boring lights. The following picture shows the "Cloud" ceiling fixtures that we can use. These were the cheapest ones we could find that were compliant with the Title 24 requirements. We will have to use the "cloud" lights in our bedrooms, hallways, bathrooms, dining room, living room (piano/library room), and the great room. YUCK!

The past couple of weeks, Gary has been working on running the electrical wire throughout the house. This means he is crawling up and down ladders as he strings the wire along. He just finished installing the "recessed can lighting" in the kitchen area and has temporarily hooked electricity to it so that we can get an idea of how bright the kitchen will be. The hanging lanterns are just temporary, but we plan to purchase something similar to those hanging over the kitchen island. The ones we want to buy have a "down light" so that there will be good lighting on the island area where the kitchen sink will be. There is a regulation that no more than 50% of the total Title 24 lighting installed in the kitchen can be incandescent, so the lantern-type lighting will be approved. Here is a picture of the lighting in the kitchen area:

So, when you first visit our new home (once it's finished) and you see our lighting, don't think we've lost our designer's touch because "it isn't easy being green"!

New Year's 2010: Dumont Dunes

"The Wall" at Dumont Dunes We spent five days at Dumont Dunes (the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.) This is "THE WALL" that everyone talks about. According to the book "Death Valley SUV Trails" by Roger Mitchell, "the highest dune rises 450 feet above the valley floor" (pg. 146). The pictures never do it justice! You just have to go there in person to see it for yourself.

Jeanette Kayser bundles up prior to her ride to "The Wall" at Dumont.

George, Charlie, and Jacob Kayser at the "North Pole" at Dumont.

Gary and Debi are riding in a borrowed Polaris RZR "Razor". We had just sold both of our quads prior to Christmas. (We need more money to finish the house, of course!) We had a lot of fun on the Razor, and when our log cabin is finished, we plan to buy a Razor. It's nice to sit in real seats and not have to straddle a seat like you do on quads. It's comfortable to have a backrest and a place to put your feet. There's no need to wear out your thumb with a throttle because the RZR uses a gas pedal. We are sold on the Razor because it has a 50" wheel base that will allow it to fit on the Paiute ATV trails in Utah. (Rhinos are too big to fit on the Paiute trail.)



Gary and Debi rode out to the "North Pole" at Dumont Dunes. This is the northernmost point of the dunes and it is marked with this festive pole!