If you’ve recently replaced your water heater, and now your water smells like sulfur, this is the article for you. We replaced a gas hot water heater in 2019 with a Rheem electric hybrid heat pump water heater. About a week after installation, there started to be a “rotten egg” smell. The smell was … Read more
As you stroll through the myriad responsibilities of being a homeowner, you might find yourself in the curious realm of indoor air quality and ventilation systems. It’s one of those not-so-glamorous topics that significantly ensures our homes remain comfortable and healthy. Now, you might be thinking, “What is the difference between ERV vs HRV, and … Read more
Indoor air quality and energy efficiency are increasingly important factors for homeowners. As building science and home improvement evolve, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) are emerging as an essential solution for modern homes. This advanced ventilation system introduces fresh outdoor air while expelling stale indoor air and recovering energy and moisture from the outgoing air. We’ll … Read more
Are you tired of skyrocketing energy bills and inadequate heating during those harsh winter months? Look no further, as this article explores the world of cold climate heat pumps, a game-changing technology that promises to keep you warm while maintaining energy efficiency. We’ll delve into the key features that set these advanced systems apart from … Read more
Roof ventilation is an essential component of a healthy, energy-efficient home. It prevents a myriad of issues, such as mold growth, ice dams, and excess heat buildup. We’ll delve into the importance of proper roof ventilation, the various types of roof vents, and how to achieve the ideal balance between intake and exhaust ventilation. We’ll … Read more
Imagine if you could magically move heat from one place to another, like a genie in a bottle granting your thermal wishes. Well, that’s basically what heat pumps do – they pump heat! By manipulating the refrigerant temperature within a closed loop, heat pumps can collect ambient heat from the air and concentrate it. It’s … Read more
When it comes to insulation, the term “R-value” is often mentioned, but what exactly does it mean? Unfortunately, it is a bit confusing, and the answer should be more straightforward. But, once you get some background into how it was created and measured, you’ll easily be able to answer the question when someone asks, “what … Read more
Is your home drafty with rooms that are never the same temperature? Unfortunately, most U.S. homeowners experience this, along with noise pollution and stale, poor-quality indoor air. It wasn’t until the oil crisis of the 1970s that residential building codes became mandatory. So, many of the 130 million homes in our country suffer from poor … Read more
Weathertight, thermal insulation, and airtight are the three continuous functional layers in thermal envelope design in home building to provide adequate protection from the elements. These layers’ performance must be tested on paper and in the field. Once these layers are installed, gaining access to correct any remaining flaws is prohibitively expensive. If weaknesses persist, … Read more
Since the 1970s, building scientists have discovered a great deal about home air barriers. They now understand that air barriers are crucial to a home’s durability, the energy needed to heat and cool it, and the comfort of its residents. No other building element is as critical in high-performance homes, and building and energy requirements … Read more
