We have the capacity to build much better buildings. Buildings withdrew a fraction of the energy consumption. Buildings that require painting less than every 20 years. Buildings that don’t leak water, even in extreme conditions.But we don’t build many buildings like this. Instead we use a hodge-podge of glitzy new technologies and really poor techniques that result in not very […]
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Accuvents
Much of the traffic on this blog arrives here by searching for information about Accuvent ventilation baffles. We don’t have any commercial interest in Accuvents or the company who makes Accuvent, which is Berger. We use a fair number of Accuvents, but we never – yes never – install them to the manufacturer’s standard. In doing so we always – […]
Category Energy Efficiency, News
Tags Duct, Efficiency, Performance
My short blog post on the FTC's settlement with some of the lying liars who sell…
My short blog post on the FTC's settlement with some of the lying liars who sell replacement windows. Embedded Link FTC Smacks Down Replacement Window Hucksters! According to the Federal Trade Commission, replacement window companies “must have scientific evidence before making marketing claims.” Apparently a lot of replacement window companies didn’t realize … View this post on Google+ Post imported […]
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FTC Smacks Down Replacement Window Hucksters!
According to the Federal Trade Commission, replacement window companies “must have scientific evidence before making marketing claims.” Apparently a lot of replacement window companies didn’t realize that lying is frowned upon. Here’s a link to the FTC press release. One interesting point, even claiming “up to” x percentage of energy savings incurred the wrath of the FTC. This could have […]
Category Energy Efficiency, News
Tags Efficiency, Windows
This class looks awesome! Marc Rosenbaum is real heavy-weight in the field of energy…
This class looks awesome! Marc Rosenbaum is real heavy-weight in the field of energy efficiency. I'll post updates for my incredible G+ following as the class progresses. NESEA Building Energy Masters Series Zero Net Energy Homes – Thriving On Low Carbon I’m pumped about this. It’s taking a huge amount of time – I’ve taken this week off to get […]
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Here's a progress shot of a semi-conditioned attic
The goal is to enclose most of the equipment and ducts in conditioned space. There's a very high energy penalty for putting duct systems in unconditioned space. View this post on Google+ Post imported by Google+Blog for WordPress.
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My carpentry apprenticeship is a fond but vague memory
Nevertheless, I still recall some instructor's comments about trusses: "Trusses are carefully designed framing members that can not be cut or modified without an engineer's approval." Guess the guys who install attic stairs in NJ missed that class. This installer cut through 3 trusses. Seriously, you couldn't be bothered to turn the thing 90 degrees? View this post on Google+ […]
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Insulated Attic Storage
Storing stuff in unconditioned attics isn’t a great idea. Typically attic storage requires access to the unconditioned space via a big hole – usually attic stairs – which are hard to make air-tight or insulate well. Things that are stored in unconditioned attics don’t fare very well. Attics have really big temperature and humidity swings, which is bad for almost […]
Category Energy Efficiency, News
Tags Attic, Comfort, Efficiency, Insulation
Last week's blog on why I think blower door guided air-sealing isn't use…
Last week's blog on why I think blower door guided air-sealing isn't useful. Blower Door Guided Air-sealing isn’t Real I really like blower doors.There are a lot of building diagnostic tools that most people have probably never heard of that I like. Duct-blasters and flow plates to name a couple of more. For readers w… View this post on Google+ […]
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Today's blog is a testimonial from a job last week.
Today's blog is a testimonial from a job last week. Embedded Link Testimonial with an Evidence-based Twist “Jesse and his crew had the daunting job of air sealing and insulating the attic of our ranch home. They did great work even though it was in the July heat. The on again off again heat waves we have b… View this […]
