Green Homes News

What happens when a design team commits to a vapor-open, low-carbon, petrochemical-free building envelope? The Cape Cod Hemp House offers answers.

Doing a remodel on our house in Sacramento Valley, California (climate zone 3b), and making a conditioned/unvented attic with a vapor diffusion port. HVAC system will have dehumidifier and will…

I have a question about insulation. I’m in metro area of nyc for reference. I have a basement, 1st floor, and second floor. The basement exterior walls are insulated with…

Hi All,Currently remodeling / redesigning an unvented assembly that had water intrusion issues (leaky roof, and / or incorrect insulation).One end of the roof (4:12 pitch) ends outside in closed…

‘The Clean Green Neighborhood,’ published by Building Decarbonization Coalition, depicts a model thermal energy network in action.

Does a direct vent fireplace normally allow outside air into the unit at the bottom (red arrow). I feel really cold air coming out of this area even with the…

Hello from Climate Zone 5a, I'm trying to decipher all of the information on insulating rim joists I've taken in from this site and Fine Homebuilding. We just bought a home…

Hi All,Thank you for the great info on this site. What a valuable place! After a deep dive into the articles and Q&A's, I'm looking for some more input on…

I have a heat pump water heater located inside of an interior closet. I put in a vent for the cold air discharge when it's running. Do I also need…

I have a friend in the Miami area looking to condition her attic.  She does NOT want spray foam.  I told her that she can do batt insualtion under the…

I recently purchased what’s advertised as the Best Electric Wall Heater, and while I’m generally satisfied with it so far, I’d really like to hear honest feedback from real users.…

An interactive tool for assessing wall assembly risk

Hello!Recently had contractor install a multizone 3 head Mitsubishi mini split heat pump in zone 6. The 12k unit in the LR is at the opposite side of the house from…

Sorry for long explanation, feel like it's warranted to avoid getting the response that my problem is caused by daily living activities. It might be, but think there is more…

Hello All,I'm working on the trim for the exterior siding.  All but one wall will be James Hardie 7" exposure lap siding over 3/4" rain screen battens.  The one wall…

Description:-In Northeast US.-2*4 stud exterior stud wall of residential home 100+yr old home-plank boards on exterior side of studs with clapboard siding on the plank boards Questions:   1. Can rockwool be installed…

Climate zone 5A. I’m seeing condensation dripping from a newly installed bath fan. Due to framing constraints I had to use two 90° elbows to get the duct high enough…

I’m finishing off my garage and have the walls insulated with Rockwool comfort bats r15.  I’m located in Rochester NY. I know I should now install Certainteed membrain and then…

Title pretty much says it all. I am designing a small conditioned basement / crawl space foundation which will not have access from inside the house for various reasons.  The…

Our home design has our final grade 12" below the top of the stem wall. The joint between the exterior foam covering the stem wall and sheathing are air sealed…