First Snow at Zeta House

The first snow of the season blanketed Zeta House last night, turning our garden into a frosty wonderland and giving us all a reason to slow down and enjoy the quiet beauty of winter. We caught some photos and a video of the fluffy flakes falling this morning. But behind the picture-perfect scenes, Zeta House was ready for winter long before the first flake hit the ground.

If you lived in Texas during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, you already know: a winter storm can be more than just inconvenient, it can be catastrophic. Millions of homes were left without power for days as the grid failed under the stress of extreme cold. At Zeta House, those events have been a guidepost for how we prepare for winter storms now.

While our current systems, like redundant heaters, HVAC units, and heavy-duty insulation, keep us comfortable during regular winter weather, we're taking lessons from Uri to future-proof Zeta House against the rare but severe storms that push infrastructure to its limits. One area we're actively researching is the integration of propane generators. Propane offers reliable off-grid power and can keep critical systems (like heating, refrigeration, and communications) running during prolonged outages. The goal is simple: Zeta House should be as self-sufficient as possible, even during worst-case scenarios. Uri taught us what can happen when backup plans aren't enough. We don't intend to repeat those mistakes.

While research into propane generators is part of our long-term planning, Zeta House is already equipped to handle typical winter conditions with ease. Here's what goes into our winterization strategy:

• Redundant Heating Systems: Our dual heating and HVAC systems ensure uninterrupted comfort. If one unit fails, another takes over.
• Insulation for the Win: Six feet of spray foam insulation means our interior stays a consistent 30°F warmer than the outside temperature.
• CO2 Monitoring: Sealed spaces are great for energy efficiency, but they also need fresh air circulation. Our CO2 monitors alert us when it's time to vent, ensuring the air inside remains breathable without sacrificing warmth.
• Dripping Taps: Our community manager ensures faucets are dripping during freezes to prevent pipe bursts, one of the most common (and expensive) winter headaches.
• Sealing Drafts: We've inspected and sealed every door and window gap to lock in warmth and block out the chill.

Outside, Zeta House's garden might look delicate under its snowy blanket, but it's as tough as Texas gets. Every plant is a native species chosen specifically for its ability to withstand temperatures as low as 20°F. Our garden thrives in extreme conditions while remaining low-maintenance. Sustainable landscaping isn't just about aesthetics, it's about creating systems that can handle whatever nature throws at them.

Preparation isn't just about physical systems. It's about staying informed. Tools like the Windy app gave us advanced warnings about the incoming winter storm accurate to the square kilometer and to the hour. That gave us plenty of time to warn Zeta House residents, stock up on essentials (hot drinks and snacks, obviously), and make final checks on our winterization measures. Early alerts mean less scrambling and more calm—and that's the kind of energy we like to bring to every storm.

As we enjoy this first snow, we're also thinking about how to make Zeta House even more resilient. Propane generators are a big part of that vision, but we're not stopping there. Future upgrades might include battery storage systems or solar integrations to complement our backup power setup. The ultimate goal is a house that doesn't just endure winter storms but thrives through them, completely independent of external power sources if needed.

Winter might bring challenges, but with preparation, technology, and a focus on resilience, it's nothing we can't handle.