Green Homes News

We seem to have a constant stream of questions on GBA about how to vent newly constructed roofs, and how to insulate both them and new walls. I'm curious as…

I have a 1940s era wood front door that gets full afternoon sun (however it's underneath a porch overhang), exterior door temp has been measured over 150F. It has interlocking…

Hi all!I'm extremely sensitive to mold and chemicals and as I'm finishing our basement I've been told to paint all the subfloor, joists, beams, etc. with a water-based primer to…

climate zone 4Aexisting masonry wall 2 wythe brick/cmu/ 1960's construction. i stripped back to expose the block on the interior and am wondering what my best assembly will be. [really don't…

Location: Mather House, 10 Cowperthwaite Street, Cambridge

Join in on the famous collaborative experiential FUN game-workshop “Climate Fresk,” for the first time hosted in a Harvard House!  Climate Fresk is based on the science of the IPCC reports and has been played by more than 1 million people in industry, academia, government, and the general public, at all levels of responsibilities and climate knowledge..and by 400 Harvard grad students.

... Read more about Climate Fresk

In addition to an ERV system—and separate from—we’re installing a dedicated dehumidifier system that will not connect to outside. A few questions on design:(1) Can I get away with a…

I see a lot of discussion around PT furring for rainscreens, and folks tend to agree that in typical situations non-PT 1x4 (or similar) is robust. Is this true of…

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9828579/This study says:"3.6. Filter conditionThe filter condition had a strong impact on DIY air cleaner effectiveness. The DIY air cleaner was almost completely ineffective when used with dirty filters. The…

We had a ducted heat pump and air handler installed last Spring to replace an existing FA gas furnace heating system. To date, the system appears to be working well…

We have a ducted ultra aire 70h dehumidifier with fresh air ventilation on the first floor of our home located in central FL.It seems that one room (1 Bed 3…

Hi all,I’ll be installing a wood stove with an outside air adapter for a 3” or 4” duct that attaches directly to the bottom of the firebox. This duct will…

Hi there. I’m building a 1200 sqft addition in the Seattle area (Zone 4 Marine/Coastal). I am attempting to use the sheathing as my primary air barrier, with Tyvek CommercialWrap…

Weird question. I'm building a house in Zone 2A - months of extreme heat/sun. The house's (hip) roof will be insulated with 2 layers of 3 1/2" polyiso. The finish…

We have a 1500 sq ft (evenly divided bw 1st and 2nd floors) brick century home in Cleveland OH. We are well on our way to getting the house to…

We're building a single family home in Sacramento, CA, zone 3B.  PGH inspired.  We have an architect but would love to hear feedback from you knowledgeable folks. A few notes that…

Hi- I'm in the process of replacing some built in air conditioners with mini splits and so for the first time since buying this house I've had a chance to see…

We are at the frame phase of a metal building. 8” girts. The roof will be metal insulated panels. We are looking for the best way to insulate the walls.…

howdy, yet another question about my house. im on a floating slab foundation and when i got the house it had tile flooring. it is/was extremely cold or hot near the…

September 20, 2023

In the United States, smoke from wildfires is undoing progress from the Clean Air Act. In poorer countries, the situation is even worse.... Read more about The Reach of Wildfire Smoke Is Going Global and Undoing Progress on Clean Air

Hi,I have a 100 year old 24'x24' cottage in zone 4 that I have upgraded several times, including with closed-cell spray foam insulation in the attic on the underside of…