From all indications, today was another busy day for the electricians and HVAC crews.  However the most visible progress for the day is the plumbing and installation of a radon mitigation system, so today's post will focus on those two items.

Plumbing (including drain water heat recovery)

Today the plumbers installed our Power-Pipe (which is explained in much greater detail on our Drain Water Heat Recovery page). The folks at Dave Jones plumbing were cooperative with us on this install, arranging the drainage so that all three bathrooms, including all showers, drain through this system.

They also installed the supply pipe and vent for the hot water heater (natural gas). The plumbing in that area is a little bit congested, and will become even moreso when the second hot water heater arrives. However, we are keeping all this stuff in a small area to maximize the space for finishing the basement.

Radon Mitigation

Radon is a radioactive gas that’s invisible and can neither be smelled nor tasted. It is produced from a natural breakdown of uranium in soil, water and rock and can contaminate the air you breathe. According to a recent National Academy of Sciences study, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today behind smoking.

A sealed sump pit was a requirement for Energy Star qualification of the home. A rough-in radon mitigation system was good for a couple points on the Green Built Home checklist. The total charge to us for the sealed pit and the passive system was $500.

As it turned out, Focus on Energy offers a $250 rebate for an "active sub-slab and moisture management and ventilation system" -- and the cost to us to add a fan was about $200. Thus, the option to add the fan was cash-flow positive, so we got the complete solution up front.

As for the attic fan, we located it right next to the attic access, over the master bedroom closet. The fan is supposed to be virtually silent, but over the closet and toilet room, that doesn't matter as much. The average fan is also expected to last 7-10 years, so this location is much more convenient for servicing when the time comes.