The complete source for building, designing, and remodeling green homes
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Understanding Manual J Occupant Loads
People complicate things. If, say, you want to sell a motorcycle, you place an ad and interested potential buyers come check it out, maybe take it for a little ride,…
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Integrating Solar Electric and Solar Thermal Panels
I first became interested in renewable energy after working at the Denver Planning Office as Chief Cartographer for the Community Renewal Program (CRP) just after graduating from the University of…
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Blower Door Testing at the New ASHRAE Headquarters
Friday August 14th was a big day for SK Collaborative and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which is is relocating from their current location on Interstate…
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The Consequences of Keeping Your Home Really Cold in Summer
A long time ago, I worked at a dry cleaning shop in St. Louis. It was December, and we had a weeklong bout of super-cold weather. The temperature dropped to…
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Book Club: The New Carbon Architecture
Because the hosts of the BS* + Beer Show all love to read, we thought we would celebrate the authors in our industry by adding a book club to the show…
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Ten Years of Building Science Summer Camp
Ten years ago last Tuesday, I published one of the most significant (for me) articles I've written. It was titled I Don't Need No Stinkin' Building Science Summer Camp!, and…
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Getting Slab-Edge Insulation Right
Slab-on-grade perimeter insulation, or slab-edge insulation, is one of the most commonly abused construction details. When installed properly, this insulation offers significant improvements in energy efficiency and, perhaps more importantly,…
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Why Air Conditioning Vents Sweat
Back in the summer of 2005, I got a call to figure out a moisture problem in a new house. The homeowners took me into the master suite, where my…
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The Origin of That Humidity and Health Factors Chart
The classic chart demonstrating the importance of keeping to the middle of the relative humidity spectrum has been shown to countless attendees of classes, conference presentations, and webinars on building…
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The Importance of Windows in Hot Climates
When designing homes in a hot climate, be sure you’re looking at the right loads. Apologies to readers if this is a bit basic, but it was one of the…
