I love watching those home improvement shows.
They really are an addiction.
The most recent series I have become faithful about watching involves unique housing choices. I have seen everything from living in a treehouse to turning an actual cave into a year round home. Each new one presents a different set of challenges to make it into a true home. The one I was watching last week really intrigued me. The person purchased an old rusty barge that has been put out of commision. I was used to move steel back in the days of industrial greatness along the canals and Great Lakes. It really looked awful when he bought it but spectacular when finished. One of the things I found fascinating was that, due to the hull being basically hollow, they were able to install a fantastic HVAC system. The ductwork was run through the hollow space and up through the walls. It was a system exactly like you would find in a frame built house and it ran on propane gas. I thought this was genius. I always thought that if you lived on the water you had to have some sort of marine type HVAC system or one that was similar to that you would find in a car. The system that they installed included zone control and everything. The vents looked just like those in my own home. The owner was able to travel in their home on the water while feeling like they were in a regular house. It is amazing how far the HVAC industry has evolved from the days of big old gas furnaces and clunky window air conditioning units.