Why Do Million Dollar Homes Get Cheapo HVAC Systems?
I just don't get it. OK, I do get it, but it drives me crazy. It's not just that it drives me crazy, though. This is just plain stupid. I just don't get it. OK, I do get it, but…
The Energy Vanguard Blog
Does It Make Sense to Move the Building Envelope to the Roofline?
Putting spray foam insulation on the roofline of both existing homes and new homes has been growing in popularity over the past decade. But, is it always the best way to treat the building envelope? When does it make sense…
How to Install a Branched-Drain Greywater System in a Green Home
Back in the summer of 2003, I was finishing up the green home I'd started building in 2001. One of the last pieces we had to complete was the greywater system, and we'd already put a lot of work into…
An HVAC Company That Thinks Outside the Box, Literally
I've written a lot about HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) companies in the Energy Vanguard blog, and a lot of what I've written is pretty critical. I've ruminated about why they won't do things right, gone on a tirade…
Confusion & Complexity – Can Green Building Programs Be Simplified?
If you've ever had to dive into the details of the green building and energy efficiency programs for homes, you've experienced the operational definition of the word 'complexity,' along with a bit of 'confusion,' too, I'm sure. I know I…
Oversized AC, Screwed-up Manual J, ENERGY STAR HVAC Tirade!
I was checking some REM/Rate files for our HERS raters yesterday, mostly submitted for ENERGY STAR homes. I've come to expect Manual J heating and cooling load calculations submitted along with the files to be less than perfect. Mostly, I…
The Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump’s Big Brother – CITY MULTI
In my last four HVAC Design jobs, I've specified ductless mini-split heat pumps. I have four more such jobs underway now. In my last four HVAC Design jobs, I've specified ductless mini-split heat pumps. I have four more such jobs…
3 Reasons Your Crawl Space Has High Humidity & Grows Stuff
Do you have floor joists in your crawl space that look like the one to the left? In case you can't tell how bad it really is, just click on it to see a bigger version. When you do, you'll…
Duct-Free Zone – The Advantages of Mini-Split Heat Pumps
Last week, (EVER rater and Green Curmudgeon) Carl Seville and I took a trip up to Suwannee, Georgia to visit the Mitsubishi HVAC facility and learn more about their ductless heat pumps. I've mentioned here before that when I get…
No Carts Before Horses – Design for Energy Efficiency Early
My recent visit to Savannah for the USGBC's green product expo charged up my historic preservation bug and got me to thinking about how to apply building science to historic buildings. My recent visit to Savannah for the USGBC's green…