Q&A: A Forum for Green Building Experts and Beginners

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3 Answers
Proper flashing placement?

My foundation sticks out past a wood framed wall, osb with taped seams, housewrap taped seams, 4" of polyfoam, lower 12" of wall has self stick membrane that completely covers foundation. I am getting ready to put up strapping and wood siding but noticed there is no flashing at bottom of wall. do I have to remove the foam and flash the entire wall to edge of foundation or can I put the flashing between foam and strapping, using sealer and tape on the foam to flashing edge .the distance from wall to edge of foundation is approx. 8", so even with foam and siding I still have approx.

In General questions | Asked By darren williams | Mar 3 14
11 Answers
Need help reducing energy costs

I have a ranch home in climate zone 5a (Northern NJ). It's a ranch, with a partially finished attic, approximately 1600sqft. Primary heat source is propane via hot water baseboard, with a gas insert fireplace, and electric baseboard in the attic. This is my first year in the house, so I don't have historical data, but this year we've been averaging approximately 300 gallons of propane use per 5-6 weeks, which is quite expensive!.

In General questions | Asked By Eric Barker | Feb 26 14
3 Answers
Correct all-year-round ventilation for basement (bedroom, kitchenette, bath, laundry) in cold climates (Zone 5)

- I live in Worcester County in Massachusetts (Zone 5)
- The basement comprises of a finshed section that is an open area which serves as a bedroom for my mother-in-law, and an unfinished section that is the laundry room and storage (Total basement size is 930 sqft). See attached document for floor plan and ventilation plan.
- We are adding a bathroom and kitchenette by taking a bit of each section

In Green building techniques | Asked By George O | Mar 3 14
5 Answers
Should we buy products from China?

ABC did a news piece on the pollution in China. I have thought of this before but it is fresh in the news.

China makes cheap solar panels, but how much of that has to do with the lack of environmental regulations? If we care about the environment, should we buy products that just ship the environmental impact to a foreign land?

In General questions | Asked By Robert Hronek | Feb 26 14
3 Answers
Insulating an older masonry building inside above grade and below

This building is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It is a church of about 40 people, with limited resourses. It has been heated with an oil furnace since it was built in 1955. The furnace has failed this winter, and they want to switch to propane. Our church is in the lower part of Michigan and our men's group is willing to go up and do the work of insulating and drywalling the interior walls of this building, with all labor donated.

In General questions | Asked By Darwin Thompson | Mar 2 14
1 Answer
HRV / ERV for a conditioned crawlspace

I'm in climate zone 5-6. 3' conditioned crawlspace, with 12mil. plastic sealed floor & closed cell spray foam insulation installed on crawlspace walls & rim joists. Forced air gas furnace- ducts into crawlspace with one small flapper vent allowing some air into crawlspace when furnace/ ac is running. I currently run a dehumidifier about 12-24 hours a week in summer months to maintain a humidity level consistent with main floor. I'm about to seal the main level with new windows and 3" of polyso around exterior, and thus also want to install an HRV/ERV.

In General questions | Asked By stu m | Mar 2 14
9 Answers
I need suggestions for a high-performance dryer vent

Building a LEED Platinum house and need info on drier vents and rangehoods with make-up air

In GBA Pro help | Asked By david dickson | Feb 11 14
2 Answers
Waterless vs. ultra efficient urinals

I am planning on installing one in my house & want to know if anyone has an opinion or experience w/ which would require less maintenance over time.

In Green products and materials | Asked By Eddy Hogan | Jan 24 14
1 Answer
Damper control motor

I have a 36" whole house exhaust fan mounted in an attic dormer with a gravity damper. I want to add a damper control motor. Problem- the fan is a two speed, wired from down stairs and the damper motor needs only one input. I think I need a relay to make it work. What kind of relay is required? Thanks.

In Mechanicals | Asked By Jim Phillips | Mar 1 14
2 Answers
Prepping the rim joist for spray foam in cold weather

I live in upstate NY (climate zone 5 or 6; I'm right on the line) in a brick house that was built in 1850. My foundation walls are at least 14-in. thick stone (with mortar joints). I believe the house is balloon framed, but I haven't lived in it long enough to figure that out yet. I've heard from the previous owners that there's blown cellulose between the walls and the brick. There's some evidence on the exterior that this might be true.

In Energy efficiency and durability | Asked By Chris Ermides | Feb 13 14
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