Green Homes News

Hi there! I know that for attic ventilation, John Lstiburek recommends having more intake than exhaust ventilation, but is there such a thing as "too much" intake vs exhaust?  I…

Location: Zoom & Geo Mus 102 (Haller Hall), 24 Oxford St, Cambridge

It is widely believed that global warming will make land surfaces drier, on average. Yet, the same climate models used to project strong aridification show no obvious signs of drastic drying in relevant land surface variables, such as soil water storage or ecosystem productivity.... Read more about EPS Colloquium: Kaighin McColl

Location: Zoom & Geo Mus 102 (Haller Hall), 24 Oxford St, Cambridge

It is widely believed that global warming will make land surfaces drier, on average. Yet, the same climate models used to project strong aridification show no obvious signs of drastic drying in relevant land surface variables, such as soil water storage or ecosystem productivity.... Read more about EPS Colloquium: Kaighin McColl

Location: Zoom & Rubenstein 414ab, 79 JFK St, Cambridge

Clean energy systems require land for solar arrays, wind turbines, transmission lines, and other infrastructure, but biofuel feedstocks occupy by far the largest area of land dedicated to energy production.... Read more about Energy Policy Seminar: Land Use and the Role of Biomass in Achieving Net Zero Greenhouse Emissions

I'm designing a 12' x 16' workshop/studio that has a mono-slop roof. The ceiling on the tall end is 12' high, running down to 8' on the short end. That…

I am looking to build a somewhat passive home while keeping my cost low. Can I frame a 2 story home with staggered 2×4 studs 24" o.c. also using floor…

Which approach promises the best return on investment?

I’m currently arguing with the designer of my house about closed cell insulation in unvented soffits. I have read on this website that unvented soffits with unvented attics do not…

We had a spray foam roof put on our 35 year old house last year. We now have a leak below a bank of clerestory windows.  Days of hose testing…

Location: Bussey Street Gate, Arnold Arboretum, 243 Walter St, Boston

Join docent Paul Eldrenkamp for a visit to five groups of trees that each played a particularly significant role in shaping five very different civilizations: Eastern White Pine, Cedar of Lebanon, Western Red Cedar, Oaks, and the five sacred trees of the Kiso Forest in Japan.... Read more about Trees that Shaped Civilization

I am remodeling a 70 year old block house on a concrete slab in zone 4A.  I am removing the old roof and interior wood frame partitions and windows, all…

Hi All,I've attached a rim joist detail that I've taken from the PGH book.  The rim joist has 2" of continuous foam on it's exterior, which is flush with the…

Hi All,I'm a building contractor and I've got some leftover LP Smartside Battens, which are 1x3.  They are primed and painted however the back of the product is not.  If…

I have a ASHP multisplit installed in 2021– one outdoor unit running two indoor units in two separate rooms. I am in climate zone 5A. My understanding has been that…

Greetings!I have seen notions from local carpenters here in Germany that it is not beneficial to use an impact screw driver to fasten screws for framing work.Explanation is that the…

Planning a kitchen remodel in Lincoln, NE (climate zone 5) which currently has vented cathedral ceilings on the lower 1/2 of the roof with a traditional vented attic on the…

I had some windows installed recently (by the window company) that I feel were installed out too far for the design (based on what I've read). There are no nail…

I’m replacing joists for a kitchen remodel. Installing 9.5” TJI230’s 12”oc spanning 15’, secured on each end with joist hangers fastened to double LVL girders. Three of the spans are…

We are renovating a 10 year old house in the Cayman Islands, and a lot of the local customs don’t align with best practices in my experience.This house is built…

Happy weekend, lurkers and posters! Can people please recommend brands/models of log-burning fireplace inserts that work well in a "pretty good house" or even passivhaus? We have an open fireplace…