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”
Building Science-Ghosting
Indoor air quality can effect a lot of things, of course the biggest is people’s health. How do you know if you have poor indoor air quality? One possible indicator is a phenomenon known as ghosting. Continue reading “Building Science-Ghosting”
Energy Audit-Common and Not So Common Appliance Energy usage
During an energy assessment or audit, I often test household equipment and appliances for energy usage. Over the years, many people have been surprised that some devices use the amount of energy they do. This weeks blog will be all about how much it costs to operate the electrical stuff in a home. Continue reading “Energy Audit-Common and Not So Common Appliance Energy usage”
My Cape-The Exterior Projects
The snow is finally gone, the weather is warming, and it’s time to start the outside projects I have planned for my 1952 Cape. What I’ve found while working on the exterior has forced me to change my initial plan of tackling the heat loss and air sealing needs of the upper level of my home and instead concentrate this year on the exterior. Continue reading “My Cape-The Exterior Projects”
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”
Construction Design-Why Old Homes Work
I live in an old home, nearing 70 years old. Some of it’s systems have been updated or changed. The natural gas forced air furnace is around 15 years old. The home, when it was built, probably had fuel oil Continue reading “Construction Design-Why Old Homes Work”
Construction Design-Rain Screen
When I was building full time, one of the common requests homeowners often had for me was no maintenance siding. Of course, there is no such thing as “no maintenance”, but there are some products that require less. The siding materials that require the most maintenance are wood sidings that are painted or stained. The best way to keep wood looking good and reduce how often a finish needs to be re-applied is by keeping it dry or to promote rapid drying if it should become wet. A way to promote drying is to install a rain screen, which is what this weeks blog is all about. Continue reading “Construction Design-Rain Screen”
Codes-Crystal Ball
The way we build a home is constantly changing. New codes come out every three years, new technology is evolving faster than I can keep up, and new materials help to make building a home easier. (Sometimes!) So, what are we striving for? Continue reading “Codes-Crystal Ball”
Construction Design-Solar Photovoltaic
I’ve been conducting energy audits and assessments for the past 10 years, over that time, I have had several people ask me about adding a solar system to their home. Does it make sense installing a system in Minnesota? How about in any northern climate state? This blog will discuss the basics of photovoltaic solar. Continue reading “Construction Design-Solar Photovoltaic”
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”