The Hisey House Grafton, Ohio House Rehab Project

I've been documenting various parts of my summer house rehab. This is the home I live in, and I have been trying to make energy efficiency my priority.

In the last three years, with the help of friends and contractors, I've done extensive rehab to our 150 year old home. It has logs, blacksmith nails, the whole nine yards. Unfortunately any unique trim, glass work, etc was lost long ago. Studs are all different, spaced differently, and many still have the bark on them. Windows and doors all have different measurements. It can be a challenge.

Prior to this summer we had replaced our roof with 30 year shingles after replacing rot. Thirty year shingles last longer - going into a landfill 10 to 20 years later than less expensivee shingles on the market. We added a second full bathroom requiring major work. Rather than adding to our 1524 square foot house we are building two rooms and a loft in our pole building for a future exercise room, storage and an office.

This summer we replaced our old septic system. It was becoming obvious that the old system was no longer functioning probably resulting in bacteria going into the front ditch. We now have a new state of the art sewage system.

I wrote about our new high efficiency heating, cooling and air filtration system earlier. I'm excited to discover the difference it will make in our bills this year.

This summer we also replaced the last of the old inefficient windows and doors. We chose Regency Windows Polaris Smart Saver windows and a new front door. The old door was original, but very small and low. It also allowed a substantial amount of heat loss. The windows were all single pane and would actually shake in strong winds. We have now replaced every window and door in the house but one. (next year)