ROB SANDERS DESIGNER (CPBD, AIBD)

HOMESTEAD with BARNDOMINIUM – JARREL, TX

Rob Sanders designed this 21+acre Homestead in Jarrell, Tx. It includes a 2980 sq ft main house and a 1792 sq ft barndominium with 4 car garage. It is currently on the market for $2,295,000.

TANKLESS WATER HEATER

Tankless Water Heater
Rob Sanders Designer recently replaced an 11 year old “tanked water heater” with a “Green Design” Rinnai Tankless Water Heater (R94LSiN). I now enjoy endless hot water along with energy efficient gas savings of around $80/year. In addition I received a $300 cash rebate from the “Texas Appliance Mail-In Rebate Program” (unfortunately this program is now closed). I am also eligible for a similar amount of “Tax Credit” on my next return. The hardest part of the retro was the removal of the old heater from the attic.

In review let me state that location, location, location of the Tankless unit is very important to the length of time it takes to quickly receive the initial hot water. I am very pleased with it’s performance and will recommend it..

Papercrete Construction

Papercrete (aka fibrous cement) today is being rediscovered as a “new” alternative green building material. Papercrete has been termed by some as a “modern day adobe.” Papercrete can be made into blocks or poured into forms to make a monolithic wall. The material is homemade and consists of paper (3 parts), clay/dirt and sand (2 parts), and Portland cement (1 part). The paper used can be almost anything; newspaper, junk mail, cardboard, etc. Sand or sandy dirt is usually found on site. Dried, ready-to-use papercrete has a rough surface. This increases its surface area and provides a very strong bond from one block to the next. One way to recycle paper is to build with it.

INSULATION VALUE – up to R-2.8 per inch, depending on density and ingredients (comparable to fiberglass at R-3.0 per inch). Papercrete walls are typically 10 to 12 inches thick.

LIGHTWEIGHT – most papercrete weighs 15 to 20 lbs. per cubic foot, depending on density and mix. (Concrete weighs137 lbs per cubic foot.) Almost anyone can lift and build with papercrete blocks. Unlike concrete or adobe, papercrete blocks are lightweight, less than a third of the weight of a comparably-sized adobe brick. Papercrete is mold resistant and has utility as a sound-proofing material. After construction is complete and the walls are dry, the exterior needs to be sealed by applying a stucco plaster and then painted to waterproof.