Green Homes News

Owner builder here just wondering if it is feasible for me to DIY dense pack fiberglass or cellulose in my walls with a rental blower from the local building supply…

Unfortunately, I am needing to dive back into a couple of wall assemblies.  Slab heat is on, set at 65 degrees, and needs to be maintained now through the winter. …

We had mini-splits when no one knew what they were---I have a double head 1 sized at 8000 BTU up and 12000down  It costs $300-$400 to clean - much to my…

Wind, stack effect, and mechanical equipment can drive air—and moisture—through a building enclosure. A continuous air barrier helps keep both under control.

Friend tells me they had a chance to talk to a guy who works for a well-respected roofing company in upstate NY (CZ6).Guy says that they do exterior insulation as…

Building a new house in Zone 7A Edmonton, Canada during winter temperatures (could be below freezing) and looking for which underlayment to use for the metal roof (24 guage, mechanical…

I'm renovating a house in Rochester, NY (5A) and have an insulation question about a vented cathedral ceiling of a mid-1980s addition.When I bought the house, the ceiling had sheetrock…

Architect Rachel Wagner spent a decade improving her 1903 Duluth home—and learned a few lessons she now passes along to clients

Friends. Please help us. We have been out of our home over 30 days. We had attic spray foam closed cell insulation installed in a clean dry new roof attic…

Hello!  We are using Marvin triple-pane Elevate windows in our home (mixture of fixed, awning, and casement).  For some reason, the gaps between the windows and the rough openings are…

Radiant cooling can provide plenty of comfort and cooling capacity, but controlling indoor humidity is essential to preventing condensation

We've got cold floors in the winter on the first floor of our 1.5 story cape in Central CT (Zone 5). The house is heated with two single zone mini…

In the early 20th century, Sears sold homes as kits that could be built by homeowners with no carpentry experience.

Have questions about Jewel Farmer Dried berries ? Ask about their taste, texture, storage, serving ideas, everyday snacking, or how to use dried strawberries in breakfast, desserts, trail mixes and…

One manufacturer’s new all-in-one smart heat pump might presage the future of home HVAC systems

Building a mountain home in Colorado with a ductless HVAC and an ERV.  The winters are brutally dry.  Is there a huidification system that will work in a 3200 sq…

Climate zone 6. Monolithic slab on grade with 2” XPS under and on sides.  I’ve come to realize that the mass of the slab keeps the house nicely cool in summer,…

Steam and evaporative humidifiers both turn liquid water into vapor—but they get the energy to do it in very different ways.

Hi,I am in my fourth year building a large home in the mountains of Colorado, Zone 5A or 6A depending on which map you look at.  The house is a…

There are two kinds of weekend mornings. The hungry, impatient kind — where you need something hot on the table in 20 minutes. And the slower kind — where the…