Balanced mechanical ventilation is code required in all new construction in my home state of Minnesota. Indoor air quality has become a big topic with today’s pandemic. My market uses HRV’s or heat recovery ventilators almost exclusively. They work great at supplying the home with filtered fresh air and at controlling indoor humidity levels. You can read more about HRV’s here. Continue reading “Construction Design-HRV or ERV”
Mechanicals-Adding Mechanical Ventilation to an Old Home
Something I suggest before any renovation to an older home that includes improvements or changes to the water, air, vapor, or thermal control layer is to have a blower door test conducted. Continue reading “Mechanicals-Adding Mechanical Ventilation to an Old Home”
Mechanicals-The Refrigeration Cycle
All of us have experienced an air conditioned space, whether it’s your home, a business you visit, or in your car, there’s nothing better than entering a cool space on a really hot day. Yes, Northern Minnesota does experience heat. Continue reading “Mechanicals-The Refrigeration Cycle”
Mechanicals-Ductwork in Attic
A couple weeks ago I conducted a blower door test on a home with ductwork that left the conditioned space of the home and was installed in an unconditioned attic. That home failed the code required blower door test, as a matter of fact, of the two new home’s I’ve tested that failed the test, both had ductwork in the attic. Continue reading “Mechanicals-Ductwork in Attic”
Mechanicals-Floor Warming
When working as an energy auditor, I often see homeowners using under tile floor warming as a supplement heat source. When working on custom tile jobs, I often install these systems. These all electric heat sources add comfort by warming the tile, but can they be used as a source of heat for a room in a northern climate? What do they cost to operate? This weeks topic, electric floor warming. Continue reading “Mechanicals-Floor Warming”
Mechanicals-Bathroom Ventilation
Bath fans serve a few different functions. Removing moisture, removing odors, and if noisy enough, to drown out sounds. Continue reading “Mechanicals-Bathroom Ventilation”
Mechanicals-Electric Water Heaters
An electric hot water heater can be one of the most expensive electricity-using appliances in a home. It’s not uncommon for a typical family of 4 to use 400 kWh per month heating water in my area Continue reading “Mechanicals-Electric Water Heaters”
Mechanicals-Heat Recovery Ventilators
I’ve had several discussions on this blog about the importance of a tight home, “built it tight and ventilate it right”. Continue reading “Mechanicals-Heat Recovery Ventilators”
The Energy Audit-Air Conditioners
Summer has arrived, bringing warm temperatures and higher humidity. As a kid, I remember hot nights sleeping in the upper story of an old farm house, often also suffering from sunburn. Now, I can’t imagine not having at least one cool room in the house for relief. What a wimp I’ve become. Many homes in Minnesota have some sort of air conditioning today. This blog posting is going to discuss the different types, efficiencies, and operating costs of common air conditioners along with the basics of how they operate.
Continue reading “The Energy Audit-Air Conditioners”
The Energy Audit-Dehumidifiers
Working as an energy auditor, I am often in homes that require dehumidification. Controlling the humidity level within a home is very important for indoor air quality and the durability of the home. Continue reading “The Energy Audit-Dehumidifiers”