TRENDING ON FINEHOMEBUILDING

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Bruce Harley

As technical director for Conservation Services Group, Bruce Harley manages and designs energy-efficiency programs around the United States. Bruce also works on policy and research, and teaches about building science and green building. He is a frequent contributor to Fine Homebuilding and the author of the book Build Like a Pro: Insulate and Weatherize (The Taunton Press, 2002). Bruce and his family live in a solar-powered home he designed and built at the edge of the Berkshire Hills in Vermont.

Features by this author:
Q & A: Ask the Expert: Spray foam durability
Q & A: Is canned foam fire-safe?
Home Remedies for Energy Nosebleeds

With a little detective work, you can correct construction mistakes and cut energy bills by a third or more

Q & A: Will a rooftop fan cure a stuffy upstairs?
Q & A: Foam sheathing: inside or out?
Q & A: Where is the humidity going?
Q & A: Tight houses and moisture problems?
Q & A: Roof venting
Thermal-Resistance Ratings: U-factor vs. R-value

U-factor and R-value measure heat transfer and heat resistance, respectively; understanding the difference will help you select energy-efficient windows and insulation

Q & A: How to insulate a shed roof
Q & A: Weatherizing a porch
Q & A: Plastic vapor barrier in a roof?
Q & A: Crawlspace insulation
Q & A: Condensation on housewrap
Choosing DuctworkOnline Membership Required

The kind of ducts you use and the number and types of turns they make dramatically affect HVAC-system performance