Recent Q&A

• HVAC retrofit options

  I would like to replace the HVAC system on my zone 2B low desert house. The house has a 20 year old gas pack (a roof- mounted gas furnace with…

• Request for a minisplit sizing-placement review

  I'm getting ready to order a mini-split for the currently unconditioned 500 square foot addition on my house in Tucson, AZ (Zone 2B). It's two small rooms (144 and 194…

• Sizing Minisplit Capacity for and Small Rooms

  If I have understood what I've read here, now that variable-speed compressors are the norm, the critical spec to avoid oversizing is the minimum BTU output. So if I am…

• Insulate rafter bays under a flat roof, or just seal them?

  The roof of my guest wing now has exterior foam with a minimum value of R-33. I am ready to start on the next phase of retrofitting the envelope.nIn…

• Help with searching for my own questions on GBA

  Hi -Before the web site refresh a year or so ago, I found it very easy to retrieve my old questions (with all the excellent answers) by searching on my…

• Silicone vs. elastomeric roof coating and some other flat roof questions

  I am insulating on top of an existing low-slope built up roof in climate zone 2A. The insulation will consist of 4 inches of recycled polyiso topped with 4-7 inches…

• Replacing an attic-ducted HVAC system on a small, chopped up house

  I own a 900 square foot house in Climate Zone 2A (low SW desert) that's now a rental. The roof mounted "gas pack" is about 25 years old. The duct…

• Water pipes under exterior foam?

  I’m in Climate Zone 2B and live in a house with slump block walls and a flat roof w/ no attic. The house was re-plumbed by the previous owner by…

• 绝缘之前发泄缓坡的屋顶solar install

  I live in zone 2B (Arizona low desert) and I have a low-slope, vented and uninsulated roof. I’m planning to have solar panels installed early next year and as a…

• Minisplit ducting options for retrofitting two small adjacent rooms

  My home in Zone 2B has an approximately 500 square foot addition that was added to its north side many years ago. Like the rest of the 1950s era house,…