Container homes

cdsp,
You were upset about Home Depot and Walmart moving on island. How is that working out for ya?

In the late 60's the down islanders swarmed to the USVI and lived in cardboard Boxes. It took years to get rid of the boxes. Steel shipping container were not made to be lived in just like cardboard boxes.

Aside from the fact you're talking about something which happened over four decades ago (I've never heard of such a thing but I assume you know what you're talking about) making an analogy between living in a cardboard box and converting a shipping container to a home is a wee bit of a stretch. 😀

Here you go .... a series of pre-fab models that provide a cost effective alternative to custom built container homes. Note, they are based on IKEA components and are designed to accommodate Wind Zone III loads.

http://www.ideabox.us/models/confluence/

LOL!

on of my neighbors uses a container for a shop, 2 doors down one is used for an art studio
I am not offended

PS
Ka Ma Kris is just fine by me- Great people always helpful, may not always have what I want when I want it - but they can get it.
So I do manage just fine with out Home Depot
Never went to Walmart in the states and lived with out it just fine
Thanks for you'r concern

I don't see anything wrong with building lovely homes from containers - they have their plusses and minuses, just like any other construction type.

But personally, I would love to see more renovation of existing properties done - which I know can be done much more cheaply in many cases. It seems to be a trend for people to move to STX and then always want to build something new vs. renovating an existing property. And there are good properties in good areas available!

As I mention before we live in another US paradise: Hawaii.
You might want to check www.affordableportablehousing.com to see what a Hawaiian company has accomplished in building safe, energy efficient, nice homes , made from containers ,here on the beautiful islands.
Indeed it is also a good idea to renovate on old home in St. Croix, but we owe a scenic lot in St.Thomas, and are currently weighing our options.
Lucy... Your Ikea box home, is also a great finding, thank you so much.
All info, pro and contra''s are important for us, thanks for taking the time to read and write.

I didn't mention anything about paradise or that I don't like container homes? But that doesn't matter to me, whether a person is moving from Hawaii or North Dakota - it doesn't change my opinion, which is pretty neutral. As a matter of fact, I said "I don't see anything with building lovely homes from containers."

I would prefer to see more renovation, but if new construction is what you want, then you should go for it. I think you might be a bit more concerned about people being offended then many people actually are. As mentioned, there are a number of containers in neighborhoods already used for storage (my neighbors just paint theirs the same color as their house) and it isn't like they would be new additions to the community landscape.

My primary concerns with a container home (if I were building one) would be durability from rust, removing any contamination (if it hauled chemicals or pesticides, etc), and energy efficiency. Oh, and I would want it to look nice too! But for me, I love our concrete home, it stays cool year 'round without A/C, it withstands even the toughest storms (so far knocks on wood) and looks quite lovely in the landscape. But that's my home, and it's why my husband chose it. 🙂 And I wouldn't have a cat fit if a modern container home was built on the lot lot next to us, heck, the home next door needs renovation, if it were knocked down for a container home I'd be thrilled!

Thanks JulieKay, you are so right.

Last post almost 8 years ago -- why is it here now??

Posted by: @exit-zero

Last post almost 8 years ago -- why is it here now??

I wondered that too. There was no new post either.

Maybe it is a new feature --"Throwback Thread Tuesday"???

I think the site is having issues, when I search for a topic (mitisubishi split), it pulls them up, but when you click on the topic it takes you back to the main general locating page.

I think when Islander removes a post, the thread stays up. So someone did a no-no and you get to see an old thread. ? 

Posted by: @daveb722

I think the site is having issues, when I search for a topic (mitisubishi split), it pulls them up, but when you click on the topic it takes you back to the main general locating page.

 

I highly recommend the Mitsubishi Mini Splits. Almost every AC company services them, parts are always available and they come with a 10 year warranty. I have several in my home and office and wouldn't buy anything else down here. Be sure the installer also installs a surge protector or your warranty will be void.

@vicanuck yes that's what I was leaning towards, a friend of ours is works for an electrician down here and they typically install daikin, but he is a certified installer for mitsubishi as well.  I would probably buy off island, ship down and have him install, need to see if he can do that.  the previous owners had a Power Saving Energy Corp Box installed and from what I googled it prevents surges and such.  I'm not sure if that would suffice for the warranty.  I'll probably get an estimate from Quality electric here on STX as well to see what  they think.  Thanks.

@daveb722

I have a whole home surge protector from Seimens but each AC unit also has its own surge protector too. You can never to too safe with the crappy WAPA power we have to put up with.

Posted by: @east-ender

I think when Islander removes a post, the thread stays up. So someone did a no-no and you get to see an old thread.  

I like the "Throwback Thread" glitch better -- interesting to read what people complained about 10 years ago too!

Replaced my two 11+ year old Mitsubishis last year when they died with one new outdoor unit and three air handlers.  Very quiet inside and outside.  Only complaint is the outdoor unit sweats a bit onto the galleries (old ones did not) 

Posted by: @Scubadoo

Only complaint is the outdoor unit sweats a bit onto the galleries (old ones did not) 

Try having someone "blow out" the the condensation drip lines with a compressed air hose - some times they get partially plugged up with debris or even insects that crawl into to the pipe in search of moisture and die causing a partial or full clog.  We have our drip lines cleaned out once a year and never have sweat issues,

Has anyone built a container home in STX? If so, what's it like living it one?

Posted by: @afriend

Posted by: @Scubadoo

Only complaint is the outdoor unit sweats a bit onto the galleries (old ones did not) 

Try having someone "blow out" the the condensation drip lines with a compressed air hose - some times they get partially plugged up with debris or even insects that crawl into to the pipe in search of moisture and die causing a partial or full clog.  We have our drip lines cleaned out once a year and never have sweat issues,

The outdoor unit has no drip line, only the indoor units have drip lines.

Posted by: @Scubadoo

Posted by: @afriend

Posted by: @Scubadoo

Only complaint is the outdoor unit sweats a bit onto the galleries (old ones did not) 

Try having someone "blow out" the the condensation drip lines with a compressed air hose - some times they get partially plugged up with debris or even insects that crawl into to the pipe in search of moisture and die causing a partial or full clog.  We have our drip lines cleaned out once a year and never have sweat issues,

The outdoor unit has no drip line, only the indoor units have drip lines.

I guess I mis read original post.  If by “outdoor unit” OP is referring to the compressor unit then most likely the dripping is caused by poor or worn installation around the coolant lines (pipes) that are exposed to the outside air - which is usually an easy fix.  Simply wrap them in black foam insulation (sold in 5’ or 6’ strips).  It’s inexpensive and an easy DYI project.

Oh, and by the way, sweating of the pipes can also because by low refrigerant/coolant levels.  If problem persists have the system recharged.

If none of those suggestions work I'd have the system looked at by a reputable A/C technician.

The outdoor unit is brand new and the lines inside are insulated.  There are still small areas inside that are not easily insulated that are sweating.  As this one outdoor unit is capable of servicing up to 5 indoor units there is a manifold for the refrigerant and more exposed surface area for condensation.  My two prior units were each for single inside air handlers and did not sweat.  This may have something do to with it.  Not an issue if the outdoor unit is simply dripping onto ground but when installation options are limited and the unit drips onto solid surface a small puddle is a nuisance.  Unfortunately there is no pan in the unit, no provision to connect a drip line.