Inverter

Inverter, a photo by sdabel on Flickr.

Inverter was mounted inside the house with a draw cord for data cable- later we might add a logging system.

PV Solar Installed

PV Panel, a photo by sdabel on Flickr.

Today the PV panels and inverter were installed. However because we have a new Electrical meter we have to wait for power company to update before we can use the energy from the sun. If we run the panels before then the meter will double charge us!

Entrance lights

IMG00411-20110320-1628 a photo by sdabel on Flickr.

Replaced that standard baton light bulb with a double spotlight. Turns the entrance into a mini gallery.

Garden setting arrived

Today the outdoor setting arrived, using it in the meals area 'till our current dining set gets moved. Kitchen working out well, nice large bench tops and lots of room to move about.

Some good news on the solar panels so hoping for that to be resolved soon.

 Not sure about light fittings yet, but this is one option.

Powder room still needs hand towel rail and light fitting.  Standard power point might need upgrading to match light switch.


North facing windows looking out to pool, already on cool days this area warms up from the sun, very nice on chilly winter mornings.

Surge arrester and double GPO for HWS now installed.

handing over

After being away on a short holiday we are now back and lots has happened.

Handover went very well so we have now taken possesion of the keys! Special thanks to person A (you know who you are).

Appliances have been installed albeit with a couple of problems. Power lead for hotplates is too short so power point will have to be moved.



Oven makes a terrible noise when switched on, we supplied this so will have to go back to the supplier.

Gas meter was scheduled for install while we were away but there was a problem with a damaged pipe. So builder is fixing that so we can get a meter fitted.

Solar hot water should be installed but today the panels are not anywhere to be seen on the roof!

Carpets and timber floors all installed so the place is looking better. Pictures to follow soon.

powered up

Checked today and the electrician had been, switches, lights all in and looking good.  Not sure what else there is to do now.  

pictures to follow

electricity meter

Today the electricity meter was installed and the connection to the pole completed. First time I have ever seen a meter at zero. Not sure how smart this meter is, but will find out.

Ceilings have been painted and walls of some rooms such as the spare bedroom below.  Paint makes the rooms feel more spacious. 

Kitchen is looking great and the rear living area open and bright.

Door frames started

Today the door frames were started. Call from SS asking that we obtain a contract for our import/export meter- perfectly reasonable request. Apparently most power companies want you to sign a contract that you will install PV cells within a set time before they will install an import/export meter, again quite reasonable. Well for the first time in this blog a company will be named.  Origin Electrical clearly have zero interest in signing up customers. After over an hour on hold I could find no one at Origin who had any interest or even knowledge of how we could connect up a new house, let alone have an import/export meter. How hard can it be to sign up a new customer?  Too hard is the answer.  SS was very understanding when I called back to say we wouldn't be having an import/export meter after all. 

Plaster board delivered

Today the plaster board arrived.  Also the electrician had returned to put in a couple of extra power points that we missed at selection plus turn all of the light switches from vertical to horizontal.

These are the switches that will go in after handover

We completed the acoustic insulation and are pretty happy with the result so far.  Also put in piping for extractor fans in toilet and laundry.  

Pool after a ton of fill

Pool after a ton of fill

Today was a busy and productive day. We had to fill around the pool in preparation for concrete beam being installed next week. Due to the narrow block this meant barrowing a ton of fill through the house to the pool and compacting it around the pool edge. Long hard day but over now. Expecting that we will have to barrow in lots more dirt for the pool paving to come.

Between moving dirt we put in the speaker wires for both living rooms, hopefully this won't get in the way of other trade work required.

We also received the plans from the landscaper and are pretty pleased with what he is suggesting.

Finally a visit to display homes we our original sales consultant took time away from the keen crowds to ask how we were going and answer a couple of questions. So we now understand how skirting boards can be tacked on in preparation for floating timber floors.

Electrical rough in

wired

Today the electrical wiring went in. As far as I can see it is exactly to the plan. But now we can look at the house for real there a couple of things we have missed so will have to see how flexible the builder will be over this.

Kitchen wiring


Light switches were vertical, we forgot to specify horizontal light switches for HPM como switches to go in after handover.


Progress to front

living area

living area

Despite a bit of rain today there was good progress again. Have being playing around with photo stitching so here is a wide view of the rear living area taken from the kitchen sink location.

The Castillo bricks show up really well in pictures so it is easy to take good shots of all the pipes and fittings for later reference!