I recently tested the Code Minimum House for air tightness at the rough framing stage. We ended up where I was hoping at this first test, .55 ACH50, 140 CFM. Given the volume of the home, the leakage area is equal to approximately 15 square inches. Continue reading “Building Science-A Visual for Blower Door Testing”
Using Building Science in the Construction of a Custom Shower?
Wait…What? Building science and a custom shower? Yep! As some of you may know from my Instagram feed, I can’t stay busy performing energy audits, energy assessments and building investigations in my area. I still do some hands-on work. A lot of the construction projects I’m involved with are custom tile work. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a customer who trusted me when I told them I could build a wood shower. This shower works because of what I’ve learned in building science.
Continue reading “Using Building Science in the Construction of a Custom Shower?”
Building Science-Resources
A few months ago on Instagram, I posted my favorite resources. I spend about an hour every morning looking at several websites and Instagram feeds to see what’s new and hopefully gain knowledge. Continue reading “Building Science-Resources”
Building Science-Heat Movement in Pictures
I’ve talked a few times on this blog about how a home can lose heat in a cold climate. Thermodynamics tells us heat moves from a warm space to a cold one by one of three methods; convection, conduction or radiation. This blog is going to show visually how a structure loses heat by way of several thermal images photographs. Continue reading “Building Science-Heat Movement in Pictures”
Building Science-Passing a Blower Door Test
In my last blog, I talked about vapor diffusion and the perm rating. Sometimes it is better to eliminate the polyethylene sheeting most builders in Minnesota are using for both the air and vapor barrier. The problem then becomes passing the blower door test. Continue reading “Building Science-Passing a Blower Door Test”
Mechanicals-Heating fuels
There are many fuel options to choose from for heating a home. Natural gas, if available, is currently one of the cheapest. I’ve also seen fuel oil, propane, electric, wood, and even city produced steam systems heating homes in Northern Minnesota. They all have advantages and disadvantages. Today, I am going to discuss heating fuel costs and heat outputs. Continue reading “Mechanicals-Heating fuels”
Building Science-“Breathe”
In this blog, I’m going to discuss building tightness and the code dealing with air leakage. The 2012 International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings is the current code in force for the state of Minnesota at the time of this blog. Chapter 11 deals with energy conservation, what most in the building industry call the energy code. The code on building air leakage states: Continue reading “Building Science-“Breathe””
Building Science-Thermodynamics
Building science 101 is going to be a continuing discussion about building science and how it relates to building in a cold climate. We must start at the beginning, which unfortunately has to do with physics. A nasty word, but I’ll try my best keep things simple. The basics of building science mostly deal with the laws of thermodynamics. Continue reading “Building Science-Thermodynamics”