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Testing a Forty-Year-Old Photovoltaic Module
I purchased and installed my first solar electric panel—technically known as a photovoltaic module—in 1980. The PV module, an Arco model 16-2000, was rated at 33 watts. Installed on the…
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What Sweating, Beer, and Air Conditioning Have in Common
There’s a meme on social media that describes New England as having 12 seasons: Winter, Fool’s Spring, Second Winter, Spring of Deception, Third Winter, The Pollening, Actual Spring, Summer, Hell’s Front Porch, False Fall, Second Summer, and Actual Fall. As…
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Deep-Energy Retrofit of an Old Timber Frame
Built c. 1780, this timber-framed house sits on nearly 200 acres in Washington Depot, CT. The client purchased the property in November 2019, and it has been in the hands…
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The BS* + Beer Show: Windows Part II – Installation Details
One of my favorite recent discussions on the The BS* + Beer Show followed a presentation I gave on what to look for in windows. Not only did I like…
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Covid-19 Is Laying Waste to Many U.S. Recycling Programs
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the U.S. recycling industry. Waste sources, quantities, and destinations are all in flux, and shutdowns have devastated an industry that was already struggling. Many items…
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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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We Need Zero Energy Communities
Although the coronavirus pandemic has dominated recent headlines, climate change hasn’t gone away. Many experts are calling for a “green” economic recovery that directs investments into low-carbon energy sources and…
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Ban On New Gas Connections in Massachusetts Town Fizzles
An attempt to bring a ban on natural gas connections in new construction from California to Massachusetts has collided head-on with state law. Last November, the Boston-area town of Brookline…
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Case of the Missing Spray Foam
Aun Safe settled on spray polyurethane foam as the best way to turn his attic into a conditioned space. Although the open-cell foam between the 2x8 rafters would not be…
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The BS* + Beer Show: The State of the Industry
We took a poll at the beginning of last week's BS* + Beer Show and asked how people felt about the state of the residential building industry. Most people replied…
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