Two steps forward, and one step back.

8/14/19

(Above: A look under the lid of a now not-so-secret treasure chest.)

Building Summary: Today I started off my time at Jacobhouse by measuring / marking / cutting 2x4s for the front step. I commenced to fasten the resultant pieces together into a rectangular box, sturdied that box up with the inclusion of a couple 2x6s and a 2×8, and then inserted the step-frame into the cavity I had designed it for. It was a tight fit, requiring a hammer to beat it down into place. I next cut a piece of ¾” plywood for the top and positioned it atop the frame. I did not fasten it yet, because I intend to make a hinged ‘chest’ out of that box but I don’t quite know how I’m going to do it yet.

To finish off the morning, Padre and I performed some testing in regard to the ventilation idea I had yesterday. Regrettably, even a 3″ inlet vent would not allow for a neutral pressure environment.

SILT:  Today I learned how to take the screen out of my kitchen window. It actually requires removal of the internal bottom pane – removal that is facilitated by pressing a couple of tabs atop the lower pane’s frame and then tilting the whole thing outward.

Commentary: “…or you could just put an air-conditioner in the front window.”

Madre was the one to provide that idea at lunch today. We had been discussing all sorts of solutions to the negative pressure problem in Jacobhouse, ranging from the procurement of a Mini-Split AC (would require additional wiring), cutting a hole in the side of Jacobhouse (amusingly enough, for a window unit), putting in two air intake vents for the Portable A/C instead of one, and etc.

But then Madre whipped out the solution above. Originally, back at the beginning of Jacobhouse design, I did not want an AC unit to hang out the front window for aesthetic purposes as well as lighting purposes. That, however, was back before the kitchen was equipped with a giant strip light (and before the container back had been converted to one massive window, allowing for a brightening up of the entire home). My only other qualm in regard to the idea was the fact that Jacobhouse would have an unattractive A/C body hanging from the window, but today I realized that the future grill-station will be there anyway.

So, with the abovementioned qualms solved, I was able to look to the advantages of a window A/C in the front window for quite possibly the first time. I think there are enough benefits that I can actually make a list:

• Ease of installation. I already have the window and the plugs.
• Cost of replacement. A 9,000 BTU window AC averages to be about 150 dollars for the appliance. This is about one-third of the cost of my present portable piece of…. I won’t say it.
• Efficiency. Aside from the east side of the house, the west is the only side where the window A/C remains out of the sun (and rain) on account of the sail shade.
• No negative air pressure.
• Quite possibly a useable shelf when I’m cooking at the grill outside. I know they aren’t meant for this, but I also know that if there is a ledge near the grill, it will be used.
• Will unblock access to the shelves on the west side of the kitchen and allow for a much cleaner kitchen-counter project (and kitchen, in general).
• Will be able to use prior inlet/outlet holes for portable AC to provide intake ventilation for when the ovenhood and/or bathroom fan is running.

Thus, the title of this post is explained: Two steps forward – one literal, one figurative. One step back – no more portable Air Conditioner. It just goes to show… a step backward isn’t always a bad thing.

Final Note: Tomorrow I will be finding a way to hinge the front step, and later this evening, I will be searching for a small window-unit air conditioning that I can insert into the front of Jacobhouse.