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

Article 38 requires you to filter incoming air to residential units close to the highway and high traffic areas with MERV 13 filtration. That said, the building has electric heat due to the climate. The engineer spec'd fantech inline fans with custom MERV 13 box filters intercepting the supply duct, then dumping into the apartments. I worry that this will be too inefficient, dumping cool air into the apartment at night and keeping the temperatures low, forcing tenants to use the electric heating. That said, I would propose a spot ERV with MERV 13 filtration.

I have a friend who needs some advice on a wall detail. The wall stacks up like so: .5" gypsum wallboard, 2.25" EPS, 8" concrete, 2.25" EPS, stucco scratch coat.

He hasn't done the stucco yet and we're wondering if he needs to add a rainscreen detail. It's a new build but due to a family tragedy, he needs to finish it as quickly and cheaply as possible.

I'm not sure of the climate zone but it is in the B.C. interior, 5700 HDDs, and not too much rain.

Thanks again.

I'm working on a project to rehab and convert a garage building to a studio and living space and am looking at options for exterior wood siding and decking.

I will be using Hardie Panels with reveal strips for much of the siding, however there are some areas I would like to use a clear finished wood siding for an accent. In addition I'm building a small ground level deck and want to match the decking to the siding wood. The totally square footage of wood being used fairly low at around 500 sq. ft.

When I get my current house sold I will be building a 1240 sq ft, single-level house for me and my wife. It will be very close to Passivhaus and also close to Net Zero. I used to build energy efficient houses in Ireland prior to coming to Canada in 2007 and this proposed place will be built similar.