by Tim Snyder | Feb 14, 2014 | Q&A, Water Heaters
We have to replace an old tank-type water heater. Should we switch to a tankless water heater? Some experts contend that switching to a tankless water heater can cut your water heating costs by 40%. But this upgrade option isn’t always the best choice. Here’s...
by Joseph R. Provey | Feb 14, 2014 | Heating Systems, Q&A
Why does my gas furnace seem to be delivering less heat than it did when it was new? There are many reasons for reduced furnace performance but a common cause is, in a word, dirt. When the furnace’s heat exchanger or blower wheel gets coated with dust,...
by Joseph R. Provey | Feb 14, 2014 | Home Insulation, Q&A
My house is costly to heat and cool. Where should I begin to improve the insulation? As recommended by the myhomescience.com action plan, the best place to add insulation hands-down is the attic. In winter, air that you’ve paid to heat finds its way to the attic by...
by Joseph R. Provey | Feb 12, 2014 | Energy-Savings Tips, Heating & Cooling
Electric resistance heating is the most costly way to heat your home. In fact, it’s more than twice the cost natural gas per BTU. So it may seem counterintuitive to hear that using electric space heaters can lower your heating costs. Placing a heater in the rooms...
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...
by Joseph R. Provey | Dec 23, 2013 | Heating & Cooling
If your home is heated and cooled with air, take a few minutes to inspect the ductwork that distributes it throughout your home. You can typically find it in the basement, attic, or in a utility closet on the main level. Turn on the furnace or air conditioner to...
by Tim Snyder | Dec 18, 2013 | Building Envelope, Featured Posts, Heating & Cooling, Home Systems
The same convection force that makes a hot-air balloon rise can cause a house to have major comfort and energy problems. Everyone knows that hot air rises and that cool air sinks. Convection: It’s a basic law of thermodynamics aptly demonstrated by a hot air balloon...
by Tim Snyder | Dec 16, 2013 | Basements
As a nation, we’ve always been interested in home improvement. The satisfaction you get by making your home more beautiful and more convenient has universal appeal. Even the downturn in the housing market hasn’t stopped homeowners from remodeling kitchens...
by Joseph R. Provey | Dec 16, 2013 | ABC Action Plan, Attics, Building Envelope, Conditioned Spaces, Heating & Cooling, Home Systems
A great case can be made for upgrading your home’s insulation and for air-sealing gaps and cracks sooner rather than later. These improvements typically pay for themselves in 6 or 7 years — and then continue to generate savings for as long as you live in your...
by Cynthia Freeney | Dec 11, 2013 | Energy-Savings Tips
Many dog and cat owners have pet doors installed for the sake of convenience, eliminating the need to get up and open the door every time your pet wants out or in. But pet doors provide another important benefit that has to do with comfort and energy efficiency. When...
by Tim Snyder | Dec 5, 2013 | Basements
Why replace my basement windows? Despite their small size, these windows can play a surprisingly large role in your home’s comfort, energy efficiency and curb appeal. Everyone knows about the benefits of replacement windows. If you’ve got old wood windows with peeling...
by Joseph R. Provey | Nov 12, 2013 | Conditioned Spaces, Featured Posts
Mold and bacteria lurk in every home but there are simple ways to keeps them at bay. Mold and bacteria are nothing to be ashamed of. For the most part, we can coexist with these tiny organisms. After all, we’ve been doing so for hundreds of thousands of years....
