Recent Q&A

• Crawl space: open-cell spray foam?

  We are planning on encapsulating the crawl space in a house on the border of zones 4 and 5 in NJ. It's been vented for 58 years but it's time…

• Looking for HVAC/building performance contractor in central New Jersey

  Any recommendations for an HVAC contractor in the central NJ area? My mother's oversized natural gas furnace died and she would like the replacement not to be oversized. So she…

• Clopay garage door insulation is HFC free! Others?

  It's been hard to find out what blowing agents door manufacturers use in their polyurethane foams, but Clopay was finally forthcoming with a definite statement that they do not use…

• Lime in hydronic system

  Our low-temperature 9-year-old hydronic heating system, which uses city water in a closed loop with panel radiators, has been accumulating some kind of minerals in a sand-like form. They particularly…

• Deck frame: cedar vs. steel

  I am interested in opinions on whether northern white cedar is a good material to use for a deck frame. I've heard opinions that it actually lasts longer than pressure…

• Could plastic attic ventilation baffles on a 5/12 roof create a moisture problem?

  The article on attic ventilation baffles notes two pretty good commercial products, Accuvent and Smart Baffle. Both are made of plastic, with essentially zero vapor permeability. With a steep pitch…

• 干墙下dense-packed细胞ulose: reinforce with OSB?

  We are planning on dense packing the joist bays under bedrooms that are over a garage. With the netting bowing down, the drywall would likely crack when screwed up (meant…

• Any hydronic system controls with low standby electricity consumption?

  I was feeling good about the changes I'm making to reduce the electricity consumption of my hydronic system: a Grundfos Alpha ECM pump that is consuming only 16 W when…

• Tips for Cutting Rigid Foam Insulation

  What are people doing to cut EPS foam and control the dust and debris generated, considering the toxicity of the fire retardant chemicals in it? Some argue the fire retardants…

• What new idea would you like to see pursued?

  ORNL is running a competition for new ideas for building energy efficiency technologies. You can submit an idea or read and vote or comment on ideas that have been submitted.…