The complete source for building, designing, and remodeling green homes
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Hiding a Ductless Minisplit Head
Ductless minisplits have become the standard for heating and cooling in many high-performance houses. These air-source heat pumps have many advantages over more conventional HVAC equipment, and also what some…
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Can a Range Hood and an ERV Get Along?
Roger is building a two-story, 3500-square-foot house that will have an energy-recovery ventilator (ERV) and a kitchen range hood. His question is about how this ventilation system will affect the…
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When It’s Better to Demolish an Old House than to Patch It Up
GBA readers get a steady diet of advice on how to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of old houses. The list almost always includes basics like air sealing and…
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Wanted: Windows for a Northern Retrofit
Brooklynite is considering the purchase of a home in New York City that comes with a second story full of single-pane windows. If the deal goes through, one of his…
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Details for Insulating a Slab Perimeter
In New Hampshire, Chris Roche is pulling together plans for a new energy-efficient home. The slab-on-grade design calls for double-stud walls insulated with dense-packed cellulose, what Roche believes is the…
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Is Air-Sealing “Mostly BS”?
Like many other owner/builders planning an energy-efficient home, RedFalcon6 is well aware that careful air-sealing is considered a cornerstone of high-performance building. But do the numbers really add up? "I…
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Does a Concrete House Make Sense?
John Downie and his wife are planning to build a house in Ontario, and instead of choosing a conventional wall system they are considering poured concrete exterior walls that are…
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Our Ancient Furnace is a Goner: Now What?
Jennifer McEachern has finally said goodbye to the original oil-fired furnace in her 1953 Connecticut ranch, and is leaping at the opportunity improve indoor air quality as she ponders a…
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How to Fix a Dangerous Deck
Mikeysp has just visited a friend's lakeside cabin and come away with serious reservations about an attached deck built over a steep embankment. Scenic, possibly, but in Mikeysp's view, a…
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Choosing a Safe Wall Assembly
Wall assemblies that are both well insulated and free of long-term moisture problems are a frequent topic for the Q&A Spotlight. Hasn't this subject been raked over enough in the…
