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Determining Heat Pump Capacity
A step-by-step guide for taking field measurements to assess a system’s heating and cooling capabilities and performance
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Training for the Trades, Part 5
An anecdotal report from the Westford Symposium on Building Science, aka Building Science Summer Camp
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Geothermal Heat Pumps: Reputation vs. Reality
Data-backed analysis of energy savings and financial return on investment of ground-source heat pump heating and cooling reveals a system that doesn't stand up to the claims that it makes good sense in residential applications
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Undoing Previous Renovations Reveals Problem Areas
Dismantling earlier modifications made in an older home leads to the discovery and resolution of water and air leakage issues
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Blower Door Testing on a Small House
Because blower door tests measure surface area rather than volume, ACH50 results can be misleading. The CFM50 metric is more accurate for small homes.
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Grilles, Registers, and Diffusers Part 2: Return Air Pathways
Solutions to avoid pressurization problems related to closed interior doors
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Does Radon Really Cause Lung Cancer?
Establishing the risk for homeowners based on radon level, exposure time, and personal behaviors
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Do Airtight Houses Need Makeup Air?
Airtight houses experience negative pressure, which could reduce airflow—that may or may not be a problem
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How to Map Electrical Circuits
A systematic approach to mapping electrical panel circuits and organizing the data in preparation for going all electric
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Can Cold Surfaces Pull Moisture From Dry Air?
When water vapor from the air condenses on an interior surface that is lower than the dew point temperature, a moisture magnet is the result