Recent Q&A

• Mold in closets of NZE home

  Our home is a net zero house with EUI = 13 KBTU/SF/yr in Mystic CT. It is 2000 SF, 2 stories. It has heating and cooling by 2 mini splits…

• Interior rigid insulation ok?

  I am adding a small room to my house in zone 5. I want to do it as simply and cheaply as possible while still being energy efficient. My plan…

• How to insulate & air seal an addition built on an existing deck

  I have a net zero energy home (EUI 13 KBTU/SF/yr). I plan to enclose an existing 8’ x 12’ deck to create more interior space. The deck is attached to…

• How much should doors be undercut to allow air movement for the HRV?

  How much should interior doors be undercut to allow air movement for the HRV?

• Do I need a product like Hydrogap between the basement wall and the foam board insulation?

  Mystic CT NZE house. I am applying a foil faced polyiso board (2.5") on concrete basement walls. Do I need a product like Obdyke Hydrogap between the basement wall and…

• How to prevent leakage through the range hood?

  We are building a net zero house and are concerned that leakage thorough the range hood will be a major loss of conditioned air or gain of unconditioned air. Is…

• HPWH recommendation

  I am considering AO Smith and Steibel HPWHs. I have heard that getting parts for the Steibel in CT might be difficult. Can you tell me the pros and cons…

• Unconditioned basement ceiling

  I am building a net zero house, 2000 SF, 2 stories in Mystic CT. It has 2 full baths, heating and cooling by 2 mini splits, ventilation with an HRV,…

• Do I need a smart vapor barrier in my wall?

  I am building a net zero house, 2000 SF, 2 stories in Mystic CT. It has 2 full baths, heating and cooling by 2 mini splits, ventilation with an HRV,…

• Ventilation

  I am building a net zero house, 2000 SF, 2 stories in Mystic CT. It has 2 full baths, heating and cooling by 2 mini splits, ventilation with an HRV,…