Recent Q&A

• New study finds people living in drafty homes in low-income, urban communities are at a higher risk of respiratory health issues

  https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-02/uoca-cbh021119.php"A team of investigators from the Colorado School of Public Health at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Boulder has identified that people living in homes…

• The final frontier of the all-electric home… grilling!

  My propane grill is just about the only fossil fuel-burning device left in my life. I'd like to eliminate it. Are there good options here? A cursory search finds small…

• Load calculations vs. actual fuel use

  I've done my own fairly in-depth heating load calculation, tweaking and re-thinking certain aspects over time as I've learned more, and my result is 10,800 BTU/hr. Today I decided to…

• Panasonic WhisperValue DC fan and TRB transfer box – anyone using these in the field yet?

  For a while now I've been considering different ideas to distribute the air from my mini split to bedrooms when the doors are closed. I just noticed that Panasonic recently…

• EPA study finds induction cooktops to be no more energy efficient than regular electric cooktops

  I was reading this review: http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-portable-induction-cooktop/ and it mentioned this study from the EPA in 2014: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-12-03/pdf/2014-28212.pdf It appears that induction is right around the same efficiency level of regular…

• Panasonic WhisperComfort ERV – not necessarily a “spot” ERV anymore!

  Corbett Lunsford just posted the first of a series of videos on how to convert a Panasonic WhisperComfort "spot" ERV into a ducted ERV. Apparently this setup was described to…

• Need a new roof. Why can no one agree on whether shiplap sheathing is acceptable?

  My house is from 1950. Zone 4C. Roof is 1 layer of 3 tab asphalt shingles that are in need of replacement (it will be a full year off). Sheathing…

• Global warming impact of HFCs in CCSPF vs. transportation emissions of rigid foam

  关于全球变暖的共识impact of HFCs in closed cell spray foam and XPS rigid foam makes it pretty clear that they should be avoided.

• Attaching rigid foam… with tape?

  To attach rigid foam to a concrete wall, most people seem to prefer screws, plastic anchors, or adhesive. Is it possible to simply use tape instead? It could be rolled…

• Basement wall fire blocking material?

  Martin's basement wall insulation article is a classic that I constantly refer to when planning my basement renovation. The main thing missing from the equation, however, is fire blocking. As…