by admin | Feb 17, 2014 | Basements, Heating Systems, Q&A
Q. Our house has forced-air heating and AC, with two zones. We replaced our old thermostats with programmable models to save energy, but we haven’t seen any significant savings this winter. What are we doing wrong? A. Research has shown that programmable thermostats...
by Tim Snyder | Feb 14, 2014 | Attics, Building Envelope, Home Systems
To solve a common comfort & energy problem, it just takes equal measures of innovation and determination. The extremely cold weather that’s been buffeting most of the country has many homeowners thinking about insulation. More specifically, attention is focused on...
by Tim Snyder | Feb 10, 2014 | Building Envelope, Conditioned Spaces, Electrical, Heating & Cooling, Home Systems, Plumbing
It doesn’t take a big budget to make a big difference in your home’s energy expenses and environmental impact. Full disclosure: The inspiration for this blog came from a well-written post by Derek Markham at Treehugger.com. As Markham points out, humans have an...
by Tim Snyder | Jan 27, 2014 | Building Envelope, Conditioned Spaces, Featured Posts, Home Systems
Getting a comprehensive, whole-house analysis will enable you to make the right improvements in the right order. A home energy audit is an important first step if you’re aiming to improve indoor comfort and air quality, while also reducing the amount of money spent on...
by Joseph R. Provey | Jan 21, 2014 | ABC Action Plan, Attics, Building Envelope, Featured Posts
It’s pretty easy to understand why ice dams form. Heated air leaks into the attic, and causes roof snow to melt. Water runs down the roof (or roof valley) until it reaches a cold stretch (typically over an eave) and where it freezes. A ridge of ice builds up and forms...
by Joseph R. Provey | Dec 30, 2013 | Basements
High humidity on a hot summer day makes us feel warmer than what the thermometer reads. In fact, when the temperature reaches 90° F. and the relative humidity (RH) is 80%, it feels like 117 degrees F! This happens because high humidity slows evaporation from the skin...
