Microhouse Winterization

Notes

If Microhouse is not in use over the winter, it will freeze inside, and water pipes can burst.

Water pipes may include hydronics, hot water heating, showers, toilets, and sinks. Moreover, since the main water line runs next to the house under the shallow insulated footer - care must be taken to assure that the pipes next to the house are not exposed above the shallow insulated footer insulation- or that sufficient insulation is present so that the edge next to the house foundation is not exposed to the cold. The outside connection is on the west side of the house, by the old bathroom.

To prevent risk of burst pipes, this is the recommended procedure:

1. Hydronic system, once installed, should be filled with antifreeze, at least 30% concentration, and should be circulated through the system before shutting off water supply.
2. Shut off water to the Microhouse by turning off a 1" valve in the outside pit by Hablab.
3. Next, open the sinks, showers, and flush all toilets so water drains out in the house.
4. Break one side (hot or cold) on the water heater to make sure that water drains out of the hot water heater.

Timing

1. If there are no use in winter, Microhouse should be winterized Nov 1 of each year - which is prior to the first frost date.
2. If there is use in winter, winterization is not necessary as long as there is indoor heat.

Improvements

1. The hot water heater can not explode in Microhouse in extreme cold gettin in through the exhaust because the exhaust pipe is quite long, and air in it warms up in a heated building before it gets a chance to freeze like it can do in HabLab.
2. The best solution for a water heater design is an open source, freeze proof, drainable design. Or one that is integrated with the hydronic stove, so in winter, no extra water heating gas is necessary when the stove is running.

Links

• Microhouse Genealogy
• HabLab
• HabLab Winterization