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Smart Design Advice for Hot & Humid Climates (i.e. The South)
Architect Peter Pfeiffer talks about how to utilize smart design for a house in a hot climate zone. His green building advice is practical and following his advice will result in a house that's well designed for the rigors of a hot climate. If you want a comfortable, efficient, durable house and you live in the South then this video will give you tons to think about.
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HVAC Ducting: Rigid Metal vs. Flex
4 commentsIn our Texas climate a well installed HVAC system is a must for a new home. I'm surprised by how few builders are using Rigid Metal ducting anymore. Come see how my crew uses both Rigid Metal & Flex for great air distribution in the homes I build.
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Help Wanted: Plumber Needed for Fine Homebuilding's Project House Bathroom Remodel
If you can rough in and install bathroom fixtures and hydronic heating, live in NY or southern New England, and would like to appear in how-to videos, drop us a line
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DOE's Marketing Push for Aeroseal
3 commentsLawrence Berkeley National Lab touts the technology's track record for sealing leaks in duct systems and improving energy efficiency
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Prevent a Powerful Range Hood From Backdrafting Your Furnace
9 commentsWhen the fan draws 900 cubic feet of air per minute, making provisions for makeup air becomes essential
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Judges Dismiss Cases Over Carbon Monoxide Deaths in Aspen
1 commentAn HVAC contractor and a building inspector faced criminal charges in connection with the deaths of four people who were poisoned by carbon monoxide
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Best Attic for Hot/Humid Climates
Most houses in Hot/Humid climates don't have basements so that means that most ductwork in Southern house runs through super hot attic spaces. In this video I'll show you a rather civilized attic space that really makes for a comfortable & efficient house!
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Healthful Homes Need More than a Huge Hood Fan
Designer-builder Michael Chandler outlines three guiding principles for ensuring healthful indoor air in a house. First, choose healthful materials. Chandler recommends avoiding volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—which are found in paints, finishes, caulks, sealants, and cabinet sheet goods—and phthalate plasticizers, components of various household vinyl and plastic items. Second, handle and install materials with caution.
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Can't We Build Simple, Low-Tech Homes and Still Be Comfortable?
3 commentsA Massachusetts homeowner wonders how a green design might look for someone who likes to keep the windows open and the heat turned down
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The Downside of Running a Dehumidifier
2 commentsIn a superinsulated house, appliances generate heat that is slow to dissipate
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Where to Spend Your Money: Superinsulation or a High-Tech Heating System?
2 commentsWhat's the best plan: investing in high-quality windows and insulation, or a high-efficiency heating system?
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One view of the net-zero energy frontier
A white paper explores how builders, manufacturers, and government entities can develop the market for projects designed for net-zero-energy performance
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Building a radon-resistant home.
1 commentWhat is deadly and might be lurking in your basement? No, not a Ninja (well probably not), in most cases it is Radon. And it is important to know what Radon is and how to ensure it isn't a threat to your household. From building to testing, I will share what I learned about Radon while building my house.
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When Does a Conditioned Attic Make Sense?
An Oklahoma builder who builds relatively large, single-story homes wonders whether his best approach is to turn the attic into a conditioned space with the use of spray polyurethane insulation.
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How to Keep Dangerous Garage Fumes Out of the House
7 commentsAn attached garage saves money and materials during construction, but it also makes it tougher to maintain high indoor air quality. Are there solutions to the problem?
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How to Calculate Savings from Energy Improvements
Is there a reliable way of estimating lower energy costs, or are there too many variables?
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A Passive House in Rhode Island
2 commentsAn ultra-efficient home in Rhode Island offers inspration for the rest of us
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How to Live Comfortably Off the Grid
2 commentsA builder in British Columbia will soon be building an off-the-grid house for an island couple. Although the house will be heated primarily with wood, it will still need a backup system, and he looks for advice on the best approach.
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What's Worse: Air Leaks or Not Enough Insulation
3 commentsAl Cobb's goal is simple: Build better houses and help consumers make better choices. To do that more effectively, he wants to understand the root causes of heat loss a little better. Are air leaks or low insulation levels the real culprit?
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Tax Credit Extended for Builders of Energy Efficient Homes
The new tax package extends, through 2011, the $2,000 credit for newly built homes that use no more than half the energy of those conforming to the 2003 national model energy code. Consumers get breaks too
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How to Paint Fiber-Cement Siding
Painter Jim Lacey shares some tips for caulking and painting fiber-cement siding. read more
