Evaluating The Installation Of A Solar Power System On Your Home
There is no doubt that a photovoltaic system is quickly becoming a viable method of generating a relatively significant percentage of your power demand. However, the capital costs of such a system are themselves, not insignificant.
French Drains – Solutions to Poor Draining Yards
If you have a sloping lot, the water running across the surface (particularly un-sodded surfaces) can cause erosion problems. The solution is to provide a controlled channel (French Drain) for the movement of the water to a retention area
Concrete – Green Building Material?
Concrete is recognized as a green building material in terms of qualification under LEED certification principles. The five ways that concrete can help support green building objectives:
ICF – Insulated Concrete Forms Structural Systems
Insulated Concrete Forms are a modular structural building system that mimics the Lego concept of pieces that fit together to make a larger structure.
New Trends In Wood Windows
Simply put windows...are what you put in the holes in your house. Think about that. Holes in your house. It seems to me that if you are going to have holes in your house, you want a very good quality window to prevent those holes from letting the conditioned air out and the cold air in and rain from destroying the interior of your house.
Concrete Basement Foundations
If your foundation was laid out wrong, or you are having problems with water or expansive soils around your foundation, you will see them manifest themselves in other areas of the structure.
Remodeling and Green Building Objectives
There are no magic bullet solutions to the myriad of problems we face regarding the use of fossil fuels, only a vast array of solutions that in toto will produce a dramatic increase in energy efficiency and sustainability that is necessary to preserve the quality of our lives.
More Featured Posts
The History Of Insulation
Images: In our last episode, Dr. John talked about How Heat Moves Through Homes and why radiant barriers work better in outer space than on earth. In this episode, Dr. John talks about the history of insulation, how different materials work, and where they make sense. TRANSCRIPT The history of insulation comes about because of the history of structural engineering.... [Read more]
Vapor Profiles Help Predict Whether a Wall Can Dry
Subtitle: To avoid moisture problems in walls, think about the permeability of all the wall’s components — not just the “designated” vapor retarder Images: Today’s walls, roofs, and floors are better insulated, tighter, and made with a much greater variety... [Read more]
Whether Wood Weathers
Subtitle: Solar degradation of lignin at wood’s surface is the single most important factor affecting the weathering of wood and subsequent paint adhesion Images: The weathering of wood is very different from decay; weathering is... [Read more]
How Heat Moves Though Homes
Subtitle: Space-age radiant barriers, like ceramic paints, work great in the vacuum of outer space, but here on Earth, heat moves by conduction, convection, and radiation, simultaneously, all the time. Images: This podcast series is excerpted from a two-day class called “Building Science Fundamentals” taught... [Read more]
Efflorescence is a Sign of a Foundation With Water Damage
Subtitle: The white powder on the surface of brick, block, and mortar between rocks is water and salt attacking these porous materials. In new construction you can prevent it — in old houses, you can only control it. Images: This podcast series is excerpted from a two-day class called “Building... [Read more]
Air Barrier or Vapor Barrier? – Building Science Podcast
Subtitle: Air leaks are a big source of moisture problems that lead to bugs, mold, and rot in homes Images: This podcast series is excerpted from a two-day class called “Building Science Fundamentals” taught by Dr. Joe Lstiburek and Dr. John Straube, of Building Science Corporation. Podcast... [Read more]
Get Certified as a Master Green Professional
Subtitle: GBA is the engine behind the building science half of NAHB's new certification Images: As part of a new Master Certified Green Professional designation, NAHB worked with GreenBuildingAdvisor to develop a rigorous training course covering green home building, full of building science and quality construction... [Read more]
Will solar panel mounts cause roof leaks?
Subtitle: When Monica from New Jersey learned that her solar installer plans to drill 54 holes in her south roof, she wondered whether she should worry about roof leaks Images: Our latest Question of the Week comes from a homeowner in New Jersey. Monica is uncertain of the best way to insulate the roof of a new second-story... [Read more]
Can a Kitchen Downdraft Fan Be Connected To an HRV?
Subtitle: Heat recovery ventilators bring fresh air into a house while exhausting stale air. Builders pull stale bathroom air through HRVs all the time — but what about greasy kitchen air? Images: Powerful kitchen exhaust fans do a good job of removing cooking odors and smoke. They also have the potential to depressurize... [Read more]
Can Spray Foam Rot Your Roof?
Subtitle: In the Q&A forum, Nick from Louisiana asked why these icicles appeared after he spray foamed the underside of his roof. Images: When northern builders see icicles, they think “ice dam.” Heat from the living space leaks into the attic and melts... [Read more]
