Ductless heat exchanger

Also known as mini-split cooling/heating system or air-source ductless mini-split or simply heat pump, this Klimaire (model KSWG012-H113) falls in the category of HVAC (Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning) but doesn't really ventilate because it's ductless. It recirculates room air, blowing it downwards after either heating or cooling it. It takes whatever heat is in the outdoors air to warm the room, and vice versa to cool it.
The recommended mounting height is actually 91 inches above floor, but this model has controllable vanes for near-horizontal air flow, and the climate here needs more heating than cooling, thus the below-window mount. The required hole size for the bundle of tubes and wires is about 3 inches diameter -- best to use 2x6 studs if you're drilling through the bottom plate (which is what I did to preclude moisture problems associated with going through the wall).

Both indoors and outdoors unit are fairly quiet. At 12,000 Btu/h (1 ton), this model is rated at 13.1 SEER (cooling) and 7.7 HSPF (heating). It requires just a standard 120V 60Hz circuit, whereas the next larger size requires 220V.

$784 Klimaire unit, after delivery & tax
$19 misc. hardware
$385 connection by HVAC pro
$1188 TOTAL COST
(free planning, design and mounting by owner as usual)

Econo-heat panel heater

Econo-heat model 0601 (425 Watts, 120V, 3.6A, labeled Dec 2005) is simply a solid slab of fiberboard measuring 23.25" x 23.25" x 3/8" thick that mounts on spacers putting it 3/4" off the wall.

I have it positioned with a new junction box behind the cord housing for a clean, hardwired installation (wallplate is a customized single hole with grommet).

It seems to take about 10 minutes to come to temperature, which is very warm to the touch but not burning. It may take an hour to warm the room. Performance review will be added later as comments.

$90 unit + $30 timer switch + shipping and tax = $142 total. Junction box + Romex probably = $15. Remodeled bathroom at addition.

Hardwired towel warmer

The installation instructions called for pressing/sliding this unit with its open metal edge against the wall surface onto hooks that are first screwed into drywall anchors, then plugging the 6-foot cord into a nearby GFCI wall outlet.

Totally ludicrous, I say.

My modifications include tucking the cord back in, to go out the rear directly into a junction box, fastening a backer board with carriage bolts and nylon lock nuts, then using long cabinet screws to go into wall studs. The board thickness was kept minimal by using 1/2" birch plywood.

Clearance item was $25 (in 2005). Other materials added $30.

Ceiling fan, new

A ceiling fan really adds to a large room. It's functional, comforting, spatially balancing, pleasing to look at... This one is a 52" Hunter purchased at clearance from Home Depot. It installs exactly as described with parts and components feeling like it's top quality. Spin balancing with the included counterweights takes a good eye. Total cost including junction box, extension rod and wall switch came to $122. At room addition.

SOSS hinges

These SOSS hinges are for doors at least 3/4" thick.
They cost about $23/pair.
They're relatively easy to install if you know how to expertly control your router with jigs and guides. The one variation here differing from what the guidelines suggest is the edge clearance. Recommended is 1/8" so the door can swing 180-degree when fully open. I didn't need that much swing and had a door skin layer that's almost 1/8" thick, so the mortise was given as much as 5/32" margin from the edge, barely biting into solid (soft)wood. It barely clears when swung out at 90.

Hidden flush door

Measuring 18 inches wide and 80 inches tall, the door slab is made from one 36" wide sheet of door skin stapled to a 2x2 fir frame with 1.5-inch polyisocyanurate rigid insulation filling the voids. Hinges are SOSS type. Latch is magnetic. Jambs are 2x4 solid redwood (at hinge side, for thickness and straightness) and 1x4 pine with a lip all around for the drywall seam tape and mud.

Tankless water heater closet at room addition.

Double latching door

Here's another unique design between the Entry hall, Bedroom 4 and Powder room. The larger doors are 36 inches wide. It's for various potential uses of the rooms, offering flexibility and some fun. Click on the thumbnail planview to see the before/after layout.

Full-open bifolds

Left pair is standard. Right pair is full-access. It's modified from standard and installed with Johnson's 1601 full-access hardware. The 2-door hardware set cost $27.59 plus shipping. The special geometry comes from a unique control arm that replaces the upper track. Stainless steel pull bars are from IKEA. Bedroom 4.

Curtain rod recess

Not only for curtain rods per se, but for any interior window covering in their up position. It keeps the viewable window area unobstructed in height, which is important here because I'm "framing" a lot of sky-view towards the bay. It's simply a 4x header beam installed in a 2x6 stud wall. The difference in thickness between the 4x and 6x dimension is the recess depth, nominally two inches. I have the vertical dimension at six inches, which should be plenty for most window coverings.
The sheetrock return style (instead of case moulding) was a cheap alternative in cost of materials, but took a lot more work to finish. It goes with the flush design.

Excess flow valve

I've finally installed this excess flow valve "at the appliance" (the tankless water heater)... merely to satisfy the building inspector who requested it.
It's hardly the correct size. I couldn't find one that's right. Nobody sells it. I don't think anybody makes it for such a small tankless water heater. The Bosch 1600H draws a maximum of 117 KBTU/hr through a 3/4" NPT pipe. The mismatch is either the shutoff capacity or the physical pipe size.

An excess flow valve is a device designed to shut off the flow of natural gas automatically in the event the gas service line is broken. It's best when rated to shut flow approximately 50% greater than the anticipated normal flow.

At a cost of $95, this unit closes at 300 KBTU/hr -- but it's 3/4" pipe.