Community: General questions

Much of the value of this site is the pooled experience of members and their willingness to share it. This page offers a Community area formatted for Questions & Answers dedicated to General questions. Other topics appear to the right.

Anyone may ask a question and anyone may answer. Sometimes one of our 15 Advisors may chime in; in other cases, you'll get the wisdom of some of our members who have some experience in this area. We encourage everyone to give us the benefit of both their questions and answers. The usual rules of courtesy apply.

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3 Answers
Where can I find insulation performance curves?

I have seen a performance curve for fiberglass insulation in the past but have not seen anything for other types of insulation. This curve plotted R-values vs. temperature. I'd like to compare the different materials side by side to better inform customers. If I remember correctly the fiberglass curve looked like a bell curve with its greatest value at 55 degrees. Does a comparison study exist?

Thanks

Bruce Chyka
Performance Plus Homes

Asked By Bruce Chyka | Mar 18 10
0 Answers
Looking for upcoming seminars on Green Building Construction in the Detriot, MI. area, perferably in April. Thank You!

I'm simply interested in attending some introduction or training seminar if someone could inform me of any that are scheduled to begin in April.

Asked By Leonard Harris | Mar 18 10
1 Answer
Cover damaged asbestos sheet flooring or remove it?

I am working on a repair project. My clients had a pipe burst causing damage to a wall, ceiling and floor in their living room. Currently, the room is carpeted. Under the carpet (adhered directly to the beautiful 1 1/2" original oak flooring) someone laid sheet vinyl. We wondered if this 60's era vinyl might contain asbestos and had it tested - the backing does contain asbestos. Our option seem to be: 1. Have a certified asbestos removal company remove the entire floor (oak and all) and start from scratch or 2.

Asked By Rebecca Rossi | Mar 17 10
3 Answers
Compartmentalization in high rise multifamily buildings

I am looking for information and technique on compartmentalization on multifamily family buildings. A question came up in a class about how to do this in existing high rises. The questions stems for one of the residences complaining about smoke and other indoor air pollutants getting into their apartment from a neighboring apartment.

Asked By Mark Yuschak | Mar 15 10
0 Answers
Dehumidifier suggestions?

Suggestions for a quiet stand-alone dehumidifier?

Asked By ECHO CHARLIE | Mar 12 10
3 Answers
Combined permabilty of 1" unfaced (expanded) EPS and 3/4" extruded?

I am residing a 30 year old house in North Jersey. In order to match the exisiting house I need to add about 1 and 3/4 inch filler over the 1/2 plywood sheathing to some exterior walls before reinstalling vinyl siding.

Over the 1/2 plywood, I have been using using 1 inch unfaced expanded poly (i remove the plastic backer as I dont know if that is permiable) then use 3/4 extruded poly (I punch about 100 nail holes first to ensure it breaths)

THere is no vapor barrier inside other than standard r 11 fraft faced insulation

So my questions are,

Asked By Ken Gilbert | Mar 10 10
1 Answer
I am a small contractor interested in helping my clients make their homes more efficient.

Are there any certification classes I can take to further my education? I would like to know more about government programs that offer tax assistance to homeowners. What tools and equipment might I need to perform an energy efficiency exam for my clients?

Asked By jason | Mar 8 10
1 Answer
How can I retrofit my 92-year-old home to be green? Is historic preservation sustainable?

My 1200 sq. ft. Dutch Colonial Revival has large, original old growth wood windows, original clapboard siding, porch overhang on south side with shade tree.

Interior has old furnace, no colors on the walls, outdated kitchen and bath, original old growth pine and oak floors, ratty carpet.

My budget is very small and I need this house to function for a family with 2 young children.

Advice?

Asked By ed | Mar 8 10
1 Answer
What is the computation of air flow for an exhaust system?

Equipment with two motors with 8" diameter provision for exhaust system. It is OK if I'm going to use Y connector ( g.i. sheet ) with 10" diameter and 2-8" diameter and split them with flexible duct? Existing supply for exhaust system is 12" diameter.

Asked By Anonymous | Mar 8 10
21 Answers
Kitchen/cook top ventilation in PassivHaus/LEED home

I am building a new home to PassivHaus standards, while undergoing LEED certification. The LEED section on ventilation pertaining to kitchens seems unclear to me. We are providing ventilation of the kitchen via an HRV, but we couldn't possibly tie in the ventilation unit that comes with the cook top (downdraft) as it uses a 600cfm motor. We instead were going to tie in the downdraft to a filtered recirculation unit.

Asked By kevin o'meara | Jan 20 10

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