Lightning Bug Electric

Completion of the hemp wall openings

2009-11-29T14:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Saturday, and for two hours today, Sunday (I never work weekends) DeAngelo, Eli and I completed the complex network of smurf tubing (non metallic plastic tubing) which will be inspected tomorrow by Asheville building inspectors and then, encased in 16 inches of Hempcrete. Once cured, the walls will harden, yet maintain a very high R-value and the ability to breathe.

Look for pics in the next couple of days.

Nauhaus Project, Asheville, NC

2009-11-14T20:39:00.001-08:00

Today, the crew, comprised of myself, DeAngelo Franklin and Eli Scott, completed work on the rough openings for the outlets and switches at the Nauhaus on Talmadge Street in West Asheville. In a few days, forms will be erected and a mix of hemp fibers and lime will be poured. The hempcrete walls, sixteen inches thick, will encase both the electrical boxes and conduit. Unlike with conventional stick frame construction, it will be very difficult to access these boxes once the walls are in place. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the conduit runs are correctly run, that all boxes can be accessed through "home runs" back to the electrical panel.

Photos of the work will be posted shortly.

Newest Project

2009-11-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

Today, we will be working the exterior walls of a unique home, the first in the United States to built with hempcrete walls. It is a project of Nauhaus.

Lightningbug Consulting

2008-11-22T10:31:00.001-08:00

While solar and wind power certainly will be the basis for future power generation, both alternatives remain too costly for widespread use. Until the costs of alternative energies are brought more in line with conventional coal generated electricity, many of us must find less sexy ways of conserving energy. Among the effective ways to cut energy consumption in a home or business is to examine how we heat and light a space.

I can offer you the expertise I have acquired by working more than 30 years in the trade and recommend
you think about energy efficiency during both the design and construction of your building. There are also
many ways one can retrofit the lighting and heating of a home or business to make it more efficient.

Pricing

2008-11-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

Consulting and engineering: 75.00/hr

Service calls: 100.00 first hour, 55.00 each hour thereafter for a one person crew, 80.00 each hour thereafter for a two person crew

About Me

2008-11-22T10:30:00.000-08:00

My sense of how to best wire a home store or shop has value. It certainly should--over thirty years, I've acquired great knowledge: shortcuts and
best practice. And always with a keen, certain eye such that the work
will comply with the code, and thereby be not only effective but safe.

Accordingly, even if you've already hired other electrician, you might
want to call me and get my advice. My advice is based on experience
and is billed at 75/hr which includes a site visit, and a written report.
For larger projects, in which you might want my service over a period of time,
the rate can be lower.

Among things I consult on are: lighting efficiencies and light spectrums
of the many lighting technologies; the characteristics of various plastics
(out-gassing, sustainability, vulnerability to damage from moisture or lime compounds; the presence of mercury or lead--toxic metals; how to minimize
or avoid magnetic fields, or to make certain they're installed so as to not
affect people asleep in their bedrooms for 8 hours at a stretch. You can look
all these terms up on the Internet. All of them are factors when one thinks
about building or living green.

You can shout at me at: mark.prudowsky@gmail.com, or call me at 828-776-8438.

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