Green Homes News

This may be a dumb question but can someone please explain to me the correct method .  I’m working in a 1980 garage wall in a Hot humid climate,  the…

I’m adding on 2 kids bedrooms in an addition. One room is about 108 sqft and the other is 126 sqft. I have central air (natural gas) and electric AC…

Hi there - I'm retrofitting an addition with 2x4 framing in Zone 5 (Upstate NY). The layers from inside to outside are as follows: 2x4 framing, zip sheathing, 3" polyiso (in…

Hello all! I would be incredibly grateful for some help resolving some minor remaining questions I have about spray foam encapsulating my attic space. I'll try to include the pertinent…

Why single-head mini splits are better for improved temperature control, resilience, and easier installation.

I own a 1927 craftsman bungalow house in climate zone 4a. I'm in the process of designing an energy retrofit for the house, which will include adding 6 to 8…

I am in Zone 5a, CT.  My 1953 ranch house has no VAC (Heating with new Navien LP tankless water heater and rads).  The house is very humid almost year…

The first of a limited series of blogs focusing on resiliency and affordability in residential construction

The ducts in the attached pictures are partially buried in R22 cellulose insulation.  The duct R-value is unknown but surely doesn't reach R8.  I was hoping to, say, drape plastic-covered…

Hope everyone is well wanted to ask a very specific energy calculation. If I insulated a 20x25 detached garage with r-13 batts in the wall, 1/2 polyiso on exterior walls,…

We are trying to decide between a power vent / power direct vent for a water heater. Is power direct vent preferred in a very tight house ?

I'm currently undertaking the deep energy retrofit of a 1970's home in central Vermont (Climate Zone 6a.) In short, we're peeling the whole house back to the sheathing layer (CDX…

After a six-year hiatus, the Fine Homebuilding Summit returns for 2025

I'm reposting an updated question since my initial question got a bit buried while I was unable to reply due to the site issues.Our home, in Zone 6A, update has…

I have a cape style house, with HVAC in the upper attic. I want to enclose the space a "bring the HVAC inside". The way I see it, I have…

You can collect rainwater and (sometimes) even drink it

Hi, In Torrance, CA, where 284 sunny days push roof temps to 160°F, spiking AC costs. For roofing services tackling coastal heat and salt, I’m eyeing high-SRI TPO or metal…

I am exploring solar options, though my roof is not the typical that solar installers are interested in:- Roof structure, bottom up: Single slope shed roof, very low 0.72:12 pitch,…

Hello AllAttached are the prelim front and right elevations of our future new construction home. There is a slope from left to right, with the right side around 9 feet…

In Climate zone 4A, as part of a renovation I had my GC remove fiberglass insulation between an unconditioned basement and first floor addition above it. Probably about a 25x10…