Your website is an excellent find. Jennifer C., Micanopy, FL

Janie's Forum Posts: 0
Journal Entries: 21
Interview Answers: 25




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Progress!!

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 12/30/2011 10:06:32 AM

The stone is up on the fireplace inside. It looks great as I knew it would. Our stone guy Billy did a great job. It only took him a few days to get it complete. Cabinet hardware is on and I love it.

We went ahead and purchased the kitchen appliances. I got a great deal on my dishwasher, the year model was being discontinued, so I got the one I had really liked for about $300 less. They all look really nice. The stair treads are also installed. It took awhile to get the treads stained and sealed. Painted the risers and trim. The stair landing needs to be completed we are putting a tile mosaic trimmed in wood like the treads.

I was disappointed that we weren't in for Christmas this year, so we put up our 12-ft tree in the dome anyway!! We have yet to spend a night there, but who knows, maybe we will ring in the New Year there. Whitey has been spending some weekends at "The Camp" deer hunting. He needs time to de-stress from work and the building project. I am sure I have left something out, but now here are the pictures.

Photos

Fireplace, with flat screen mount	Cabinet hardware and Whirlpool Gold dishwasher	A look into the shower with the new shower door

Energy Savings

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 9/4/2011

I forgot to add in my last post the energy savings we are having with our dome already! We have been running the air on around 74 or 75 for the entire summer. And a very brutal summer it has been here in South Louisiana. The hot water heater (electric) has been on, and lots of lights as we work every evening after work. Our electric bill has not been over $35 a month in the year that our electric has been connected to the house!!! Something for you Dome Builders to look forward to. 

Posted by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 9/6/2011 Brian's Forum Posts: 86 Journal Entries: 108 Interview Answers: 248 Average Forum Rating: 3.87 Image from Brian's blog 9/6/2011	I am excited!! Can't wait to finish mine, I think we'll have it done by the end of this year!!
Posted by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 9/20/2011 Janie's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 21 Interview Answers: 25 Image from Janie's blog 9/20/2011	It is exciting!!  We would love to be moved in and spend Christmas in our Dome.  Not really positive that will occur but I know we are not that far from wrapping this project up.

Tile, Tile, and More Tile

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 9/4/2011

Lots of changes on the Dome front. Whitey finished the master shower tiling and we grouted together. The glass block window is installed in the shower and trimmed out on the vanity side. Waiting on the shower door install, probably next week sometime. The granite countertop is installed and backsplash also; I am very pleased with my choices. I keep patting my self on the back at how everything has come together.

We have a bit of a setback, the sheetrock is cracking at the dome seams. Whitey has done some repairs, however it continues to crack. I guess that is what you get when you build a dome. Next project is the stairs and railing to finish. Big undertaking, but I am confident it will be awesome. I have been in contact with Creative Stone in Bastrop, Texas about finishing the fireplace and all the exterior stonework. I am just not up to that and I don't think Whitey is either, besides it could be done so much faster. Now for some pictures...

Photos

Granite Countertop	Backsplash	Master Shower Wall
Shower Cubbies

Posted by Tim in North Pole, AK on 9/10/2011 Tim's Forum Posts: 17 Journal Entries: 25 Interview Answers: 66 Average Forum Rating: 4.20 Tim's Selected Image 9/10/2011	Nice shower! I plan on building our custom shower this winter as well. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it when it's finished. Tim
Posted by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 9/14/2011 Janie's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 21 Interview Answers: 25 Image from Janie's blog 9/14/2011	Thanks, Tim. Whitey did a great job. We are really pleased with the result of our hard work.

Let's try photos again

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 6/17/2011 10:39:41 PM

Posting just photos.

Photos

Cubby

Tub wall

TILE

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 6/17/2011

The month of May began with my sister Jennifer visiting from Wyoming. She is skilled at tiling, and said she would help me tile the upstairs tub surround. It proved to be far from simple as does everything concerning this whole home building project. However it came out so awesome to spite all the difficulty we encountered.

My mom passed away during our tiling project. That is, literally. We were working on the trim tile when we got the call to Mom's bedside. She had passed before we got there. It is very sorrowful, however Alzheimer's is a horrible way to exist and an inhumane way to die. Thank God that Jennifer was here with me. We supported each other, as we have always done. We are just awed by how the events transpired. 

We did finish the tile job with lots of sweat and tears!!

Thank you Jennifer, for always supporting me and just for being my Sister. I love you dearly.

Now for the photo.

Photos

Jennifer perfecting the glass tile around the cubby.

Spring is finally here!!!

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 4/25/2011 1:28:06 PM

      More progress since my last post. We have kitchen cabinets, thanks Dole Vincent. They are just what I imagined. The jacuzzi in the is in and operating. There are always issues; nothing seems to go smoothly. Our dome wall was repaired and looks fabulous thanks to a good friend, Dwayne. The other sheetrock repairs can be done room by room once we move in. We really need to get moved and get the current house sold. Too much to keep up. I am going through the excess STUFF! It is overwhelming at times, but very necessary. Next project is the shower and upstairs tub surround. My sister is coming from Wyoming for a visit and offered to help out. We started the rock on the fireplace, with the hearth complete. I am anxious to get that done so the scaffolding can be removed from the house.

     We worked in the yard raking and burning leaves all weekend. It is backbreaking work, but sometimes you need to get away from the construction and do something different. 

Photos

Cypress Cabinets

Fireplace Hearth

We're BACK!!

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 1/8/2011

     Actually, we never went anywhere; I just didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated my journal. A lot has come about. No, we are not ready to move in. 

      First thing, we finished our electrical and passed all inspections. Our central air is in and passed inspection also. Treatment plant is in place and also passed and working. We rented a trencher and dug the ditch for our electrical line. We hired a stucco guy for a day and completed the back wall of the link so that our electric meter could be installed and be rid of the temp pole. Interior doors are hung and trimmed out. We're trying to get them painted so I can put the handles on. The baseboards downstairs are all cut, two coats of paint and in place. They just need to be puttied and touched up. Fireplace front is prepped and ready for stone. See the photos in my next entry. 

       Whitey took a much needed break and went to the deer camp for several weekends in November and December. But he is back to work on the Dome. Last weekend, he installed the laundry sink, toilet, and lavatory in the half bath and the toilet in the master bath. Happy Day!!! Special thanks to Mary and Michael, and Pam and Tom for providing facilities for me when needed. I owe you BIG!! 

      Today Whitey laid the DITRA waterproof underlayment on the upstairs bathroom floor. He wants to lay the tile so the lav and toilet can go in. Came home to watch our beloved Saints. Sad day! Needed a few to relax after that. 

     Our cabinet guy, Dole, will start on our cabinets in a few weeks; we are next in line. He spent the afternoon at the Dome last Monday laying out plywood to get measurements and set up how I want everything situated. We have also been getting bids on the stair parts we need to complete that. We are going to have cables instead of wood or metal balusters, with wood posts and treads. Check out the picture.

PHOTOS

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 1/8/2011

Photos

Trench for electric	Fireplace ready for stone	Sample of cable system

Finishing Electrical

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 6/9/2010

   Painting is finished. Just touch-ups after we get finished. Whitey finished the stucco work on the link wall the first part of May. Now we have to do the prime and two coats exterior paint, whenever it stops raining. We seem to hop and jump around on the projects, but the weather is a big factor here. We are in our thunderstorm season.  Not much can be done outside right now. 

    Whitey wired the lighting everywhere. Last weekend we bought our receptacles and switches and have most of those installed. We are waiting on five weatherproof/tamper-proof receptacles. We wiped out all the Home Depots in Lafayette on our regular receptacles. Will be getting the septic in soon and then maybe we can get the electric hooked up (and then No More Extension Cords hanging all over the house). We purchased our interior doors and baseboard material also. So there is a lot to keep us busy inside this summer.

     Any ideas on how to finish our staircase, that is contemporary and inexpensive?

Posted by Rich in Suffolk, VA on 7/1/2010 Rich's Forum Posts: 38 Journal Entries: 18 Interview Answers: 69 Average Forum Rating: 4.03 Image from Rich's blog 7/1/2010	I can't claim to be the finder of this idea as Brian emailed it to me, I think, but here is the link: ez-stairs.com I think it's the way I'll go when I'm ready for stairs. I really want to do all the work myself and using their product versus hiring it out will save me a lot of money.  I also plan on just drywalling in the side wall to the stairs to avoid expensive balusters. I may still need a railing, but I can go cheap if I hide it from the room. Thanks for the update. I always enjoy reading your blog and following your progress. You are an inspiration to us dome-wannabe's!
Posted by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 7/22/2010 Janie's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 21 Interview Answers: 25 Image from Janie's blog 7/22/2010	Thanks for the comments; blogging is fun, and we are proud of our progress  We have the stairs built, we need to find an inexpensive baluster, or alternative to finish it. Whitey had wanted to sheetrock instead of balusters, but I want to keep it open; it is very expensive this way, I know. I really like the look of stainless cable, but we don't have that in the budget. Besides I have read that it is really difficult. But that didn't stop us from taking on this dome project. Something will come along when the time comes. It is exciting to build a dome, but just keep in mind it is not as simple as AI portrays it to be. It is very labor-intensive, to say the least!!! And there are already things we would do differently. It has been a very long journey, and the end is not yet in sight. We are anxious to get this finished and MOVE IN.
Posted by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 2/1/2011 Brian's Forum Posts: 86 Journal Entries: 108 Interview Answers: 248 Average Forum Rating: 3.87 Image from Brian's blog 2/1/2011	If you can set up the stairs for the cable system, THEN enclose then with something else for now until you save up for the cables, maybe that will work. Sheets of Lexan between the main posts? It's clear and strong.

Interior Painting

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 4/4/2010

We have been painting over the past month. Jason, a friend who happens to be a paint contractor, came from LaPlace to spray the prime coat on the interior dome walls and the rest of the walls inside. The actual paint we have rolled on. We have had some issues with the DensDeck sheetrock absorbing the paint where there was no sheetrock mud. Whitey ended up having to roll another type of primer on the areas that were not seamed and mudded. As always with this project, it just isn't as easy as it may appear. We still are not completely satisfied with the end result, but we will worry with it later. Yes there is a little Scarlett O'Hara attitude going; we just want to finish this house and get moved in. I am enclosing my dining area wall and kitchen wall pictures. I am pleased with my color choices.

Photos

Dining-area view from the living room.	Dining-area view from the kitchen.	Kitchen wall into dining area and front entrance.

Posted by Rich in Suffolk, VA on 4/5/2010 Rich's Forum Posts: 38 Journal Entries: 18 Interview Answers: 69 Average Forum Rating: 4.03 Image from Rich's blog 4/5/2010

It's looking beautiful! Any final comments on the engineered joists?  Was it worth it to run your HVAC through the joists?  I'm considering using them but I'm not sure the extra cost is worth it. Thanks.

Posted by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 4/12/2010 Janie's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 21 Interview Answers: 25 Image from Janie's blog 4/12/2010

Whitey says he wishes he would have gone with standard 16" instead of  12"  to save some money, our downstairs ceilings would have been 4" lower.  I wanted 9' ceilings so I fought for the 12" joists.  There is very little room for the air cond. ducts.  I mean it is tight.  We really didn't have many choices about the HVAC.  That is one of the negatives of this type of home.  We feel like we are flying by the seat of our pants ! There are so many issues that come up that you don't expect.  It is often frustrating but we continue on,  what else can we do with so much invested.

What!? It's 2010!!!

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 1/20/2010

Where does the time go anyway? We have our sheetrock textured and the upstairs bedrooms and bath primered. It looks good. The downstairs concrete floors are being stained. We are waiting on sealer to dry so we can get busy on painting, etc. It looks great, like a real house. We are planning on getting started with our Schluter products in the upstairs shower and bathroom floor, while the floor downstairs dries. Then we can tile and be just that much further along... we are going on four years and getting tired of this project. We want to be finished and getting ready to move. Another huge task being that we have lived in this home since 1987. 22 years of stuff to weed through!

So... until next time. No home photos this time, just us at a Mardi Gras Ball.         

Photos

Whitey and me at Krewe of Victoria Mardi Gras Ball.

Photos!

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 10/13/2009

Pictures!

Photos

Master bath with cool Jacuzzi	Master bedroom	Living area looking to kitchen

Still At It

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 5/22/2009

We are still working little by little. Whitey put his truck back together and it is running. We have finished more stucco on the high profile entrances. Running coax, cat5, and speaker wires the past few weeks. It looks like we won't get a break with the weather this coming weekend. It never fails!! It gets discouraging, but we won't give up. We received some good bids to insulate and hang and float sheetrock. We are ready to let someone else do the work for a change and are getting anxious to get this done. 

Slow Going

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 3/16/2009

I haven't been too helpful with the house project, I spent time with my sister who brought Mom from Wyoming and my nieces, who came to visit Mom at her new home. She wasn't thrilled about her situation, but we are doing what we feel is the right thing. Mom has Alzheimers/dementia issues and needs to be watched 24/7. She is at an assisted living with a special care unit. 

Whitey worked all weekend on taping and mudding sheetrock on the dome walls. He wants to get the scaffolding out before we stain the floors and put up the sheetrock on the flat walls. There is still a ton to do on the outside, but the weather has been rotten - and it is no fun to stucco with rain threatening. When the weather is fair, we will continue on the outside and get it painted and sealed up. There are a few leaks, but we feel sure it is due to the fact that there is still foam exposed in those areas. 

I know I promised pictures, but there really is very little to show just now. Until next time...

Passed Inspections

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 2/24/2009

We passed all our open-wall inspections. The first time around we failed the A/C inspection because we didn't have a clothes dryer vent in place. No big deal though, Whitey got right on it, and we passed all inspections. I have been sick the past week, so I have only been out once in a week. Whitey finished the stucco on the upstairs bathroom window today and it looks great. We had off work today for Mardi Gras. No parades for us, we have too many other things going on! We enjoyed one parade last night and came home with lots of beads. Whitey wasn't feeling so good over the weekend, so we didn't get a lot accomplished on the dome front. The next few weeks will also be busy with my mom moving from Wyoming to Lafayette. Next time more photos.

Working Indoors

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 1/19/2009

The air conditioning is near completion. It turned out that we found a different guy to do our A/C. Air conditioning is very important in South Louisiana; we want to get it right. We got a 16-SEER Rheem that is a two-speed unit with adjustable temperature and HUMIDITY level!! This should prove to be very beneficial in the dome during the summer. The air guy (Don) suggested that we get a 2.5 ton unit, but we decided on a three-ton unit. Also, he came up with the idea to have a sheet-metal plenum built to go in the floor-joist space to receive all the ductwork! It looks great, but only time will tell. Plumbing is ready to test for leaks. We have been putting in all the switch and receptacle boxes and positioning all the hard-wired lights. The electrician will come to pull the wires one day this week. Inspection after that; I hope all will go well with that.

We want to get the rest of the concrete work done, but the weather always seems questionable when we can work. It has been a very cold winter for us. We actually had SNOW in December!! We want to get the outside work done before it gets sweltering hot again. 

Photos to follow.

Photos

Our December snow. Nothing to do with the dome. The pictures Whitey took of the dome with snow on it didn't come out.	Air-conditioning ducts.They are a tight fit.	Plenum
Whitey working on covering the suspension rod in the loft.

Posted by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 2/18/2009 Brian's Forum Posts: 86 Journal Entries: 108 Interview Answers: 248 Average Forum Rating: 3.87 Image from Brian's blog 2/18/2009	Looks great!  I'm building a 34-foot dome like that, my blog is thehoskensproject.  How big is your dome?
Posted by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 2/24/2009 Janie's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 21 Interview Answers: 25 Image from Janie's blog 2/24/2009	Our dome is 45 ft. with a link for a utility (about 2,400 sq ft).  A huge undertaking for two people.  We love it, but not sure if we would take on another.  Tell me about your air conditioning.  We are curious how other folks came up with a plan.
Posted by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 12/15/2009 Brian's Forum Posts: 86 Journal Entries: 108 Interview Answers: 248 Average Forum Rating: 3.87 Image from Brian's blog 12/15/2009	I WAS going to use some of a closet to run the main duct up to the second floor, and also to run a duct around the edge of the second floor behind the knee wall.  BUT, in order to try and make this an easier project, we are going with a window A/C thru-wall unit in the balcony dormer.  We changed the second floor plans with the county, so we didn't have to complete it. The second floor will just be open space, so air movement will be easy  We are going to try using a 12,000 BTU window A/C to cool the whole dome, and in the summer we may add a little 5,000 BTU window unit in the first-floor window.  That will let us test what will keep the dome cool, and what size central A/C we'll need.  We may eventually install a central A/C or maybe one of those mini-split systems.

Sorry It Has Been So Long!

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 11/17/2008

We have progress on the home site! It just feels like we continue to run into obstacles that keep us from moving forward to get our open-wall inspection. We are trying to reach this milestone. The interior is completely framed; also plumbing and air ducts have begun. The air conditioning is really an issue right now. We now know why our blueprints did not come with the air-ducting plans. It is very difficult to get all this together. We thought the floor joists were our answer, but it hasn't solved the issues. We want high (9 ft.) ceilings, and it looks like that will be compromised by the air ducts. We Are Not Happy! Larry (the carpenter) is trying to assure us that he is going to make everything look good, I have my doubts. He does excellent work, but he is not a miracle worker. We will meet in the morning to go over everything AGAIN. I will try to journal again after this issue has been resolved.

Lots of photos though!!! More to come!!!

Photos

Front entrance	Upstairs loft and bedroom	Upstairs bathroom window
Fireplace wall from the upstairs loft

Windows & Doors Arrive!

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 10/11/2008

The windows and three doors arrived on Monday morning. They look great, unfortunately the upstairs bathroom window will have to be reordered (we received a fixed and wanted a casement). All sorts of mix-ups this week, but everything is working out okay, I know there will be more before this is over. Hopefully, our front door and master bedroom door will be installed next week. We are searching for our upstairs flooring (more mix-ups there too), Larry needs to know the depth before he frames the stairs. The economic issues of the past weeks have us concerned. Stocks have dropped drastically, and that is discouraging. I just hope we can get the house finished, so we can sell the house we are in, so we can pay off all our loans! I have a few photos this week of the exterior and a few of the interior. 

Photos

View from the front entrance of the interior framing.	Front entrance	Fireplace flanked with windows. This should be framed up on Monday.
Fireplace again, but looking toward the front of the dome.	Rear entrance (link), above will be a balcony off an upstairs bedroom.

Posted by Scott in McLeansville, NC on 1/24/2011 Scott's Forum Posts: 0 Scott's Selected Image 1/24/2011

I am in the process of building an AI Dome, and I saw your picture of the outside wall of the entryways and was wandering about the materials used. Looks like a cement wall board. What do you put over it? I was just going to use foam board with wire mesh and cement over it. Our blog site is smithacresdome.blogspot.com

Interior Framing

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 10/5/2008

No pictures this week, not that I didn't take any, they were just sort of dark. We went to the site every evening after work to see the progress of the carpenter. It is really strange to see where the walls will be after seeing the open slab for two years now. We are very excited and things are moving along smoothly. Windows and doors should be in soon. I am anxious for that day. The first floor stud walls are almost complete. The staircase needs to be framed and the floor joist guys will come for measurements. We didn't work this weekend on the house, I work at a quilt shop and am usually off on Saturday, but I worked. Whitey took the opportunity to go to the deer lease and put in some food plots. We should be moving at a much faster past now with Larry and his crew on site. I will try for some pictures tomorrow afternoon and see if they don't come out better. Until then...

Prime Coat Begins

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 9/23/2008

It was a pretty tough weekend. It was threatening to rain on Saturday, so we did clean up. We pressure-washed the slab, getting ready for the carpenters crew to get started this week. That took all day; we were exhausted and really sore the next morning. I told Whitey it was the first time that I wanted to be shorter; bending over to get the tough spots was rough on the back. I didn't even stay up to watch LSU football on Saturday night. We headed out late on Sunday morning, moving slowly. Whitey started priming the top three rows of seams and panel. I picked up limbs (four pickup loads) and mowed the rest of the lot. Wiped out again!!             

Monday we met with our carpenter Larry, and some guys from a floor joist company out of Kaplan. We are looking to use floor joists that are 12" instead of 10" that are manufactured like I-beams with circles cut out for wiring, air ducts, etc. We are interested in this so we don't have to box-in our air ducts. We hope it will be less labor-intensive. We also had lumber delivered to start framing the interior and the concrete board - to be ready to close in when the windows and doors are delivered. Hopefully there is a lot to report next week.      

Photos

Top of dome primed	Kitchen wall and utility room (link added on dome)	Fireplace wall

September, and I Finally Journal!

Posted to Eschete-Dome by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 9/16/2008

Hello to everyone. A quick introduction... my name is Janie and my husband is Whitey. I will be submitting info in this journal. Whitey doesn't fool with the computer very much. Our dome home project began in August of 2006. This photo was taken in March, 2008. Unfortunately, I lost some files of photos. I will do regular back-ups from now on. We are progressing slowly, but surely. Our windows and doors are ordered, and should be on site in a week or so. We have hired a carpenter to help this project along. We have completed the seams of the dome and they look fabulous. Whitey did an excellent job. I will take some photos this weekend and submit them soon. We have come out okay with the hurricanes 'Gustav' and 'Ike', just lots of limbs to pick. No trees fell on the house, Yeah! Although, it has slowed our progress. Whitey plans to prime the dome later this week, we are having very pleasant mid-80's temps...  

Photos

Master bedroom and upstairs balcony entrance of our dome, March, 2008.

Whitey concreting seams.

Posted by Brian in Dome-ville, central, FL on 9/19/2008 Brian's Forum Posts: 86 Journal Entries: 108 Interview Answers: 248 Average Forum Rating: 3.87 Image from Brian's blog 9/19/2008	That looks JUST LIKE MINE :-)! I didn't know there were so many A.I. domes being built. Mine is under the blog "thehoskensproject". Did you get it primered yet? My seams are done, but I'm waiting for cooler weather to prime mine, as the paint guys said you need to top-coat the primer within 2-4 weeks. I'm still working on the edges of the entryways, and under the window dormers... can't wait to see more of your pictures!!
Posted by Janie in Lafayette, LA on 9/20/2008 Janie's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 21 Interview Answers: 25 Image from Janie's blog 9/20/2008	Hey Brian, thanks for the comments. I have read your blog from start to finish!! Pretty amazing journey. We are really getting exhausted, but we carry on. Whitey was going to prime this past Friday, but unfortunately it rained, as it frequently does in South Louisiana. We are going to roll a coat on the seams possibly tomorrow. Today we pressure washed the slab, we have a carpenter coming on Tuesday to move things along. We should have windows and doors by next week.  We also had a similar experience with the finish of the seams as you did. A hellacious storm came out of nowhere and washed half of the concrete off, so we finished with the garden hose. What a day that was!  I look forward to hearing from you again.  Janie & Whitey
Posted by Brian in Asheville, NC on 9/4/2011 Brian's Forum Posts: 3 Average Forum Rating: 4.50 Brian's Selected Image 9/4/2011	Greetings Janie and Whitney, congratulations on your successful O-B! I am new here, so forgive me if I've missed something, but I am very interested in the energy savings you are achieving. I would have guessed that with such an efficient shape and level of airtightness, you would need a smaller AC unit than 2.5 or 3 tons. Do you think you are experiencing short cycling? (AC turning on and off frequently and inadequate dehumidification). How thick are the walls and how thick is the concrete? I couldn't find any comments on the insulation or R-values either.