Week 10 The Building works and Experimenting with AI

Week 10

Probably boring, but I'm finding the AI stuff very interesting and rather scary to think that it is still in the early stages.

Just add it to the list of things our grandkids will have to cope with...

Ben came home for nearly a week, Nice to have him around...and then he announced that he "has a job in Seoul next week". No planning, he just grabbed a huge suitcase and packed - Janny delivered him to the train station at Heerenveen and off he goes...something to do with K-Pop.

Still managing a walk in the forest on most days...good for the soul...

Experimenting with  AI

Ben uses AI all the time for his work. Now that he is (was) home we were able to talk about it and I thought I would experiment with my weekly roundup.

The house renovations are almost all-consuming at the moment, although we do need to keep the "normal" stuff going as well.

So, I wrote this as a summary of where we are at the moment...

First we had the Covid Years and then almost seamlessly we had the energy crisis, the latter in no small part created by Putin's Russia. With five households of various sizes and a couple of business departments the Energy bills of the De Twa Buken quickly began to skyrocket.

The Government assistance did very little in our unusual circumstances - the assistance only applying to one household - trying to spread it across 5 was a paperwork nightmare.

The heightened awareness of energy costs is obviously a good thing, even though it also highlights just how wasteful we have been - in our case for more than 25 years.

So, what is to be done?

Our initial enquiries all ended up with the observation that "you are wasting your time if you don't insulate first". Fairly obvious, but where to start in our 60 plus year old building?

The House

Well, we did start with the cavity wall insulation. A modest price and we really think that we noticed the difference - a full winter season only using our 6kw log fire (the smallest of three that we use -  9kw and a 16kw log fires serve the Day Activity Centre and the Weekend Kids' Recreation area, respectively.

We attended meetings of WEN (Wijnjewoude Energie Neutraal), all the while trying to determine what to do next.

After we had done the cavity walls, we ordered new double glazing for the main house windows. They already had double glazing but totally outdated by today's standards.

The talk of hybrid heat pumps and floor heating seemed to indicate the next step. But then, how much of the floor? Just the living room? The hallway? Where does it stop?

Janny had far grander ideas than me so eventually "we" decided to go the Full Monty - ALL the floors and why not pull down the patched together sunroom while we're at it?

As luck would have it, the largest of our apartments became available for us to move into. It soon became obvious that EVERYTHING has to be moved if ALL the floors are coming out.

So, we made the move and employed a local builder to do the job - based on architects' drawings that were "close enough" to what we thought we wanted.

The windows were done in July and the renovation works began in November - just in time for winter!

The best insulation for the floor was going to be Foam Concrete  at least 50 - 60 cms deep- so we had to first remove the old timber and concrete flooring - and begin digging and carting the rubble away. Part of the house had been a barn for the cows and in the conversion 60 years ago a lot of the rubble of the time had been dumped in the new floor - so that had to come out for the 21st century upgrade.

In hindsight, this was a little too much for me to take on in my "old age", but we made it...to see the concrete poured and put an end to trudging around in the groundwater mud.

The old sunroom was demolished and a normal concrete foundation and floor poured. From the outside this bit looks like a sunroom extension, but from the inside it is just part of the kitchen/living room on a far larger scale than ever before. Janny's Mum and Dad used to have a living room of about 3 by 3 metres with a small heater in it.

The builder is more of an organiser, making sure that everything is delivered on time and that the electrics and plumbing are all done in the right order. The Foreman and the apprentice do most of the work - with our assistance if we can help without getting in the way.

The work is mostly progressing as planned - but sometimes we make things up as we go along, with guidance from Janny.

4 months in and we are almost at the stage of laying the floor heating. The plasterers have almost finished - they do make a mess! which will have to be cleaned up before laying the floor. 

On Saturday, one of our boys helped me with cleaning it all up - a trailer load ready for the tip on Monday.

One of the AI modules had the option of being "poetic" (more options have to be paid for - Ben uses a paid version for his work).

The poetic version...

In the shadow of the Covid Years' lingering chill,

We found ourselves caught in a tightening coil. An energy crisis, born of distant strife, Sent our bills soaring, testing our life.

Five households, disparate yet bound, And businesses too, on uncertain ground. Government aid, a meager thread, Stretching thin, leaving us to dread.

Awareness dawned, a harsh, glaring light, Revealing our wasteful plight. Twenty-five years lost in careless sway, Now we seek redemption, day by day.

Insulation, whispered counsel wise, A path to warmth 'neath cold winter skies. Cavity walls, the first to mend, A modest start, but a journey to rend.

WEN meetings convened, a beacon bright, Guiding our steps through the night. Double glazing, a modern grace, Replacing relics of a bygone place.

Hybrid pumps and floor's warm caress, A tempting vision in our distress. Janny's dreams, bold and grand, Led us forth, hand in hand.

The Full Monty, a daring call, To renew our home, to stand tall. With the largest apartment's embrace, We embarked on a journey, to find our place.

A local builder, a trusted guide, Based on blueprints, close to what's inside. Windows done in July's warm glow, Renovations start, in winter's snow.

Foam concrete, a sturdy bed, Laid beneath where old memories tread. Timber floors torn, rubble cleared, From barn to home, our past revered.

In hindsight's gaze, a weary sigh, But onward still, we march, we try. The old sunroom, a relic gone, In its place, a new dawn shone.

Organizer, foreman, apprentice too, Each playing their part in the work they do. Progress forged, amidst the fray, Guided by Janny's steadfast sway.

Four months in, and nearing the end, Floor heating beckons, a warmth to send. Plasterers' mess, a sign of change, Soon to vanish, in a rearranged range.

As we journey on, through dust and mire, Each step forward, fueled by desire. For in this transformation's wake, A new beginning, we shall make.

Google's Gemini came up with this as a rewrite...

The De Twa Buken Renovation Journey: From Energy Crisis to Comfort

Facing the Challenge:

The De Twa Buken, a multi-generational household with several businesses, faced a double whammy: the lingering effects of the pandemic and a skyrocketing energy crisis. Government assistance was limited, highlighting the need for a comprehensive solution.

Embracing Efficiency:

We began with cavity wall insulation, noticing a significant difference with only our smallest fireplace in use. Attending meetings with WEN (Wijnjewoude Energie Neutraal) further fueled our commitment to energy efficiency.

Seeking the Optimal Solution:

Newer double-glazed windows replaced outdated ones, further reducing heat loss. Exploring options like hybrid heat pumps and floor heating led to a bold decision: full floor heating throughout the house. Dismantling the sunroom provided an opportunity to expand the living space.

Embarking on the Renovation:

With the largest apartment available, we relocated and hired a local builder. The windows were replaced in July, and the renovation commenced in November. The chosen foam concrete floor insulation required extensive work, including removing the old floor and excavating rubble. This was a demanding task, but seeing the new concrete poured brought immense satisfaction.

From Sunroom to Living Space:

The demolished sunroom was replaced with a concrete foundation and floor, seamlessly integrating with the existing kitchen and living area. This transformation echoes the vast difference from Janny's grandparents' small living room to our expansive space.

Collaboration and Progress:

The builder efficiently manages project flow and coordinates electricians and plumbers. The foreman and apprentice handle most of the work, with our occasional assistance. While the project generally follows the plan, Janny's creative ideas often guide adjustments.

Reaching the Finish Line:

Four months in, we're nearing the installation of the floor heating system. With the plastering almost complete (though messy!), the stage is set for the final touches.

 I then asked Gemini to translate it's version into Dutch...

  

De Renovatieweg van De Twa Buken: Van Energieprobleem naar Comfort

De Uitdaging Aangaan:

De Twa Buken, een multi-generatie huishouden met verschillende bedrijven, werd geconfronteerd met een dubbele klap: de nasleep van de pandemie en een exploderende energiecrisis. De overheidssteun was beperkt, waardoor de noodzaak aan een allesomvattende oplossing onderstreept werd.

Vergroten van de Efficiency:

We begonnen met spouwmuurisolatie en merkten een significant verschil op, waarbij we enkel onze kleinste open haard hoefden te gebruiken. De bijeenkomsten van WEN (Wijnjewoude Energie Neutraal) bijwonen, wakkerde ons streven naar energie-efficiëntie verder aan.

Op Zoek naar de Optimale Oplossing:

Nieuwer dubbel glas verving de verouderde ramen, waardoor de warmteverlies nog verder daalde. Het verkennen van opties zoals hybride warmtepompen en vloerverwarming leidde tot een gedurfde beslissing: volledige vloerverwarming in het hele huis. De demontage van de serre bood de kans om de woonruimte uit te breiden.

Aan de Verbouwing Beginnen:

Met het grootste appartement beschikbaar, verhuisden we en huurden we een lokale aannemer in. De ramen werden in juli vervangen en de renovatie begon in november. De gekozen isolatie met schuimbeton vereiste uitgebreide werkzaamheden, waaronder het verwijderen van de oude vloer en het afgraven van puin. Dit was een veeleisende klus, maar het zien storten van het nieuwe beton bracht immense voldoening.

Van Serre naar Woonkamer:

De afgebroken serre werd vervangen door een betonnen fundering en vloer, die naadloos aansluit op de bestaande keuken en woonkamer. Deze transformatie weerspiegelt het enorme verschil tussen de kleine woonkamer van Janny's grootouders en onze uitgestrekte ruimte.

Samenwerking en Vooruitgang:

De aannemer stuurt de projectstroom efficiënt aan en coördineert elektriciens en loodgieters. De voorman en de leerling doen het grootste deel van het werk, met af en toe onze assistentie. Hoewel het project over het algemeen het plan volgt, sturen de creatieve ideeën van Janny vaak aanpassingen.

De Finishlijn Bereiken:

Vier maanden verder zijn we bijna bij de installatie van de vloerverwarming. Nu het stucwerk bijna klaar is (hoewel rommelig!), is het toneel gezet voor de laatste hand.