water heaters

Ah another dilema along the way. Conventional water heater, high efficiency water heater, or a tankless one. Cheapest, mid range, most expensive.

We are converting from oil to gas, so since the gas line needs to be brought it, hopefully the extra BTUs the tankless uses isn't an issue. Another thing to consider is we don't want to have to run an vent for the exhaust all the way to the roof. Even re-using the old chimeny as a chase, it would need a new flue, which would right away make kill any savings the cheap model may yield. Plus, we'll try to be a bit green with this one.

High efficiency tank units seem to go for around $800, and that we can vent directly outside the wall, but the tradeoff is a loss of even more space in my tiny utility room. I'm hoping to opt for a tankless unit for no more than $1200 that I can vent directly outside, and then have a decent size laundry/utility room.

PLUS, going high efficiency you get a 30% tax credit, and there are other incentives floating around out there.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Oh and these look a lot better too.

a blast from the past AND a poll!!

I had to do this, partially for self gratification, since it feels I have really gotten no where, and I need to lift my spirits.  I also thought it might be interesting for any viewers to see where we were and where we are.  I attached some pictures, and I'd say we are maybe halfway through many of these rooms.  The flooring is not done yet, and no trim is up, but we've advanced a bit, and we are right before the fun, design oriented stage.  I hope you go into a bit of shock with the first few pictures, I sort of did.  I forgot how bad it was for a while. 

This is what we started with, not too bad right?  Shortcuts is not my middle name, and neither is dusty, so out with the old.

This was a bit hectic.  Right after some demo and the old panels ripped off.  The house looks a lot worse here than it did when we purchased it.  It took a while to throw the debri out, and it also took a while to warm up in there with that tiny dish heater and faux fireplace.

This is where we are now.  Primed walls, waiting for laminate and tile flooring and some finishing touches.  Steps will also be refinished.  I wish I could have left more exposed brick, but you heard EVERYTHING from my neighbors, and I wanted every bit of insulation I could get.

Not too much has been done with the bathroom, just cleaned up a bit.  I like the black and white tiles and will be keeping them.

After.

Here is the second floor bedroom with the fireplace to the right of the picture.  This room wasn't even that bad.  We already ripped up the carpeting, took the molding off, and then drywalled the room.

Here is is with my prince couch I got from work.  Still have to put some legs on it, but its good enough for when I need a nap.

As you may have noted, I wanted to retain my brick wall but it wasn't feasible. SO I was contemplating those fake brick wall panels. The color they come in looks very fake so without a doubt, I would paint them white (which I like since it reminds me of the place I lived in Brooklyn). I'm concerned it may look very fake, which I'm not a fan of. Help me decide.

Are faux brick walls OK
	yes
	no
View Results

Free poll from Free Web Polls

If you know what you're talking about, make a suggestion

I never found money stashed behind any walls, but I did find a awesome pocket door stashed away, and we began to re-finish it.  The door is stripped and still awaiting glass, since we accidentally put a hammer through it while it was hidden behind a wall  =x

This is an old picture, so the walls are newly drywalled, trim is still white, and I'm looking for a color to stain the door, AND the floor which is also terribly photoshopped and pictured below.  Its a pretty old, lofty type of floor, and I think a darker color is necessary to hide the gaps and imperfections.

So if you'd like to take a stab and show your interior design capabilities, please make a suggestion on the door color/stain, glass style, floor color/stain, and even wall color if you'd like.