We have younger relatives that, regrettably to me, bought an older farm house built by amateur couple about 35 years ago. There were only two things about the house that I liked. One was a great view down a hill with a small conservation lake at the bottom of the hill. The second thing was it had 12 gauge wiring. I told them in my opinion they should not buy it.

It would have been cheaper to build a new house with brick and stone and everything new. I'm guessing they will have about $300,000 or more into the remodelling cost.

So far, two new AC systems with ductwork, raised ceiling in 4 rooms, found massive dryrot on two outside walls, new engineered white oak flooring, new kitchen, new master bath, new laundry room, converted garage into master bedroom with cathedral ceiling, replacing most windows, replacing front entry door with 9 ft one, and rebuilding front exterior entry way.

Regrettably also, wife has mentioned they could move in with us til the house is complete.

On a more pleasant subject, images show my favorite tasty treat from Costco. Has almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds plus a little sweeteners added but not too much.

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The place I worked at got PC computers for everybody in the early 1990's. Before that, we had DEC Rainbow computers, which were mainly only good for connecting to the DEC network computer of some sort.

One of my friends was notorious for being a knucklehead. He was a decent guy who worked hard and honest, but he really had absolutely no talent. One day we were golfing after work. Walking along, he said that he just got his new PC, and he was exploring all the programs on it. He said one of them will change how we do business: Excel.

Excel ended up being my "hammer of choice" for all the "nails" at work.

Having circulating pumps for hot water in a home works but uses a lot more energy to keep it all hot.

oh yes, the op question....toilet paper?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I never did any calculations, but I trust you are certain that running out the cold is cheaper than on demand constant recirc systems. Putz threw a new monkey in the wrench by only recirc on demand. Not keeping it all hot. Then you still have to wait, so not much gained for the cost of return pipe and pumping infrastructure. A nearest neighbor (less than a mile door to door) always complained about his wife and kids running the hot water down the drain before filling the tub - until the water showed up hot. But then topping off with cold because needing more volume but too hot already. No way he could convince them to plug the drain up front then run the hot. Some of what they ran down the drain he paid to heat. Well all of it actually given that the well water is in the 40's around here and that stuff was already at room temp or better. Wife and 3 girls. I call him the x-man, no Y guy

My ex neighbor was a (poor & dishonest) contractor who's signature in bathroom overhauls was two fold : a recirculating hot water pump and glass bricks at one end of the tub that lit up from inside .

He mentioned to me that the electric pump used a fair bit of electricity .

I'd like to have some sort of diverter valve on the tub's drain so I could water my lawn whilst waiting for the hot water .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

I prefer the old fashioned Scott's two ply typ, I find the puffy ones don't have much actual use on the roll, I always do the "pinch Test" before buying any T.P. and this has saved us $eriou$ ca$h .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

so you are mr whipple?

I could optimize my on-demand hot water recirculation pump concept by running the pump just long enough to get water from the water heater to the point where the button was pushed. That would require identifying the specific button pushed before commanding the pump to run.

I generally wash my hands after taking a piss, not before. So, I'd push the button, piss, flush, and then wash my hands with nice warm water.

One of my autistic friends (MSEE) claims to wash his hands before taking a piss, so he doesn't handle his junk with dirty hands.

There you go, dating me again .

the T.P. squeeze test means pinching your finger down the center hole and out side edge ~ try this and you'll be shocked at how easily most rolls compress ~ this means you're paying for AIR not product .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

heft might be an indicator. sq ft and number of sheets also. marked right on the package.

Back when working as a lab chemist we always said 'You can always tell who is a chemist, he is the guy who washed his hands before going to the bathroom'

Oddly enough, when working as a Mechanic daily I'd wash my hands first too ~ I didn't want to get any grease or asbestos on my johnson or anywhere else .

There are a whole buncha humorous sayings about Engineers too, sadly I forget them .

I'm sure everyone here knows the difference between a trampoline and a banjo.....

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Hell is isothermal.

The hot water recirc pump does not need return piping it uses the cold side as a return. They sell kits. I saw an install on “This old house” that had a timer that could be programmed so it would run exactly the length of piping required.


I installed my tankless on the outside wall of the main shower so I don’t need it. Kitchen gets hot quick enough.

Best comfort investment was heated flooring.

Best garage upgrade was 8’ LED replacement bulbs for my fluorescent housings.

Another good idea was outside feed air for the clothes dryer. Keeps it from pulling all the conditioned air out of the house. Was looking at a heat pump dryer but it draws inside air across the coils to create the heat and seems like the wrong direction.

Dubyagee

Did you put heated flooring beneath the shower floor/pan? Asking because I noticed the shower floor felt really cold this week when I've stepped in. Seems it would be a good idea to include this area also.

I've wanted to replace our florescent 8 foot garage lights with LED. I've searched for a trustworthy brand but have only found ones recommended by Amazon reviewers that get a spiff when someone links to Amazon and makes a purchase.

Did you remove your ballast?