Opinion - Northern Built

January 13, 2024January 13, 2024

In the Spotlight-The Biggest Mistake of All

This short piece was recently published in Fine HomeBuilding Magazine-Issue 321/February-March, 2024

www.finehomebuilding.com

In one way, a builder’s job is simple; Provide a structure that is safe and resilient and meets the basic needs of its owners or occupants. But today’s homes are intricate systems. Over the past decades, building enclosures have evolved with layers of complexity, heating and cooling systems have become more sophisticated, and new mechanical ventilation systems, meant to provide healthy indoor air quality are often misunderstood by the people living in the home. Because these systems work together, it’s important that the owners understand how they operate, how they are maintained, and who to contact when there is a problem. Unfortunately, homes rarely come with an owner’s manual.

The complexity of a modern heating system.

Continue reading “In the Spotlight-The Biggest Mistake of All”

April 4, 2023April 5, 2023

Ten Requirements for High Performance Buildings

How do you define high performance? If you build to code and accidently end up with a super tight enclosure, are you high performance? (I’ve tested a code-built house that ended up at .33ACH50.) Or do you need to build above code in all four of the control layers, water, air, vapor and thermal to reach the high-performance accolades? To tell you the truth, I don’t particularly like the term high performance. If you are shooting for a certification, then you are building to “Zero Energy” or to “Passive House” or whatever model you are trying to achieve. If you are not going for a certification, then you are simply building above code, or building better, but for clarity with this blog post, we’ll call it high performance.

Continue reading “Ten Requirements for High Performance Buildings”

January 7, 2021January 7, 2021

Opinion-5 Reasons to Own A Blower Door

By now most of us know what a blower door does and the basics of how they work. All energy auditors and raters own one. A few insulating contractors I know also have purchased their own blower door. As a contractor, does it make sense to invest a sizable amount of money and then take the time to learn how to operate this piece of test equipment. Continue reading “Opinion-5 Reasons to Own A Blower Door”

November 16, 2020

Opinion-Who’s Responsible?

Whether you’re a homeowner acting as a general contractor or a licensed contractor who’s building to make a living, certain decisions and policies need to be set in place and communicated with workers and sub-contractors performing tasks on the jobsite. Who’s responsible for doing what. Continue reading “Opinion-Who’s Responsible?”

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020

Never Seen Again

When was the last time had your hair cut? Did you walk in and say I have $15, do whatever you can for that budget, or did you have something more specific in mind? Continue reading “Never Seen Again”