Green Homes News

I have a question regarding frost protected shallow foundations designed for a heated structure.  They rely on the home to maintain a 64 degree temperature. My question is what if…

Hi all,I'm having a forever home built in the woods in the Portland, Maine area. Some stats:Climate zone 62 stories plus a semi-finished walkout basement1500 sqft for each of the…

Friends:Greatly appreciate all the good ideas shared here in GBA but still struggling to come to happy decision for renovating my house.  Been at it for long time and finally…

I have a question regarding heated vs non heated structures. If a home is required to maintain 64 degrees what happens if there is a power outage or if it…

Hello,I have a 100 year old house in climate zone 6B.  It costs a pretty penny to heat and am gradually trying to improve the efficiency of the house.  I…

I've got a 1924 home in Seattle, with 2x4 construction. On the exterior side of the 2x4's, I have T&G sheathing and layer of felt/tar paper, and then cedar siding.…

My Mitsubishi hyper heat 18k wall mount single head heat pump has [apparently] been leaking for a few years. I finally found a tech that was willing to diagnose the…

As a mechanical engineer I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I don't know the NEEP tables and tools inside and out.  HVAC is not my core expertise.  So I…

When not in NYC, or otherwise using Romex and plastic boxes, I can use AirFoil boxes to get a clean airtight box, or can do some ugly stuff with Big…

Hello GBA Community,We're designing a single family home in a mixed dry climate (zone 3).  We're inspired by Pretty Good House and trying to find that sweet spot between low…

Hi all, we are in the planning stages of an 1100 sq ft addition to our 1967 four season cottage in South East Ontario Canada (zone 5b) and are considering…

Anyone know of a brand of GPS that is readily available in NJ? Tried Halo Exterra/Subterra and can't get with HD/Lowes/local suppliers.Also anyone know a spray foam installer certified for…

Planning a partially conditioned barn build and thinking about using a "flash" layer of closed cell spray foam on the underside of the metal roof to air seal and insulate…

Masonry house in Climate zone 4A. I'd like some thoughts about this assembly -- which really is reinventing the wheel. I have a masonry wall that I'd like to insulate. I…

This was the proposed assembly :1/4″ Wood T/G decorative planking over 2×4 studsSmart Membrane Vapor BarrierR-15 Rockwool Batt 3/8″ exterior ply sheathing w/ WRB (eg  Benjamin Obdyke Hydrogap).1″ Polysico or XPS…

Just noticed that one of the big box stores is now selling both MERV 8 and MERV 13 "Lifetime Washable" filters on their website (they are not on the shelf…

My vented attic is decked but uninsulated.  I want to install 8" of Owens Corning 2" x 4' x 8' styrofoam sheets x 4 on the attic deck.  Is there…