Bioretention Devices Continue, HVAC

The bioretention (rain gardens) are 10 feet by almost 30 feet. They are dug out 5 feet, then 1 foot of sand goes in the bottom, 2.5 feet of washed gravel go next, then 1.5 feet of top soil for the plants to be planted. The plants are rain loving plants. The downspouts from the house feed the sand/gravel areas, then the plants take up the water. This way, the rain being shed by the impervious additions to the land is still being contained on the land instead of running downhill. In this way, pollutants are kept out of the area waterways. There is a sight tube so the layers can be inspected. If debris gets into the gravel it will prevent the proper function of the bed and it would need to be dug up. The cloth lining the sides and top prevent debris from entering into the gravel and sand.

There are inspections along the way to make sure the layers are done correctly. Here, the inspector is checking the device against the specifications in the drawings.

Having passed the inspection, the sand goes in the bottom. This is the bed on the south side of the house. No trees will go on this side in consideration of the solar panels that will go on the south facing roof.

Here the sand is in place.

 The bed on the north side is ready for topsoil:

The outside units for the heat pumps have also been installed behind the garage. These units will provide air conditioning in the summer and heat during the spring and fall when the temps are up and down. Once winter sets in for good, we will switch to the radiant floor heat.