Green Homes News

We are re-doing a hipped roof cathedral ceiling that had chronic moisture problems due to lack of venting & that it was sheathed with 1x6 T&G planks. We are removing the…

Having tremendous difficulties with the system. It’s a 12 kW multi split VRF with four indoor units. When running at full tilt it produces a cop of about 3.5. This agrees…

We live in Brattleboro VT and our 1300 sq ft house is far from air-tight but there is blown insulation in the attic and newish windows. We are in the…

My contractor wanted to know if he can flip the location of the R-5 c.i with the location of the plywood/OSB sheathing so that sheathing is nailed to the stud…

I'm receiving conflicting opinions on whether to include or exclude unconditioned spaces on the same level when determining minisplit size. Depending on the "truth" I believe it will either allow…

Please help!   My build begins next week and I will be wrapping my house in 2.5" exterior insulation held on with 1x4 furring strips.   I may finish with vinyl,…

A detail for ensuring continuity of the four control layers on a structurally complicated building component

Hello,I'm in the process of remodeling a cabin and have been stuck in a holding pattern due to various issues with the county. In order to protect the building which…

Hi, we are required by our building code to use metal strapping with our sill plates. This is for new construction. Where and how would you place the sill seal…

A look at the ways climate change impacts IAQ and strategies for adapting

Hi Everyone,About 4 years ago I had a Mitsubishi Hyper Heat system installed in my home. There is a condenser outdoors, two wall units heating and cooling downstairs, and I…

Working on chapters, articles, or other writing projects in the environmental humanities and social sciences this summer? Looking for a sense of community and collegiality? 

Inviting all grad students and postdocs in the humanities and social sciences with environmental...

Read more about Summer Environmental Writing Group

Hi all!  I'm currently planning an hvac retrofit and was hopping you could let me know if I'm on the right track and/or offer suggestions and improvements I may not…

Home buyers in Florida are unfazed by prospects of more frequent flooding.

The time is getting close to start construction on my energy efficient shed. Some quick background:- 8'*12' (can't build larger for building code reasons)- Pacific Northwest (climate very similar to…

We're getting ready to break ground on a 2 story 4000 sq ft house a few hundred feet from the ocean, in San Diego. Our weather is....cool. 90% of the…

I got my rough HVAC inspection on my gut remodel. I passed other than the inspector insisting that I install a 6" duct from outside through a barometric damper to…

Hello,A number of articles and blogs have been written on using OSB ( https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/flatrock-passive-insulation-and-an-air-barrier ), plywood/zip ( https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/study-finds-osb-sheathing-not-a-reliable-air-barrier ), and smart vapor barriers ( https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/urban-rustic-air-sealing-the-attic-floor ).  They all illustrate various…

Ok plumber types. I understand why venting is now required, but many older systems lack individual trap vents. Moreover, older systems often have a single cast iron vent stack that…