I like flex duct. Really! In fact, I did an interview yesterday for the Energy Saving in the Home Radio Show and surprised the host, I think, when I said that to him. He's an HVAC contractor himself and is…
In August, Energy Vanguard held a webinar on the basics of mini-split heat pumps, and it sold out. Many of those in attendance had more questions and requested a followup webinar to go into more depth on some of the…
One of the things that happens when you learn building science and HVAC design principles is that you can no longer go into any building without looking at the building envelope and mechanical systems. Now that my smart phone doubles…
A few years ago, a student of mine told a funny story in a home energy rater class. He was an HVAC contractor and said he was installing a new air conditioner for an elderly woman. As he was explaining…
Every once in a while I come across someone's workmanship that leaves me in awe. I see it and realize that I am looking at something unique, a piece of work (in all senses of that phrase) so bold that…
I've seen it over and over: The central air conditioner's ceiling vents raining down onto the floor. The insulation liner on the duct in the crawl space holding a gallon or two of water. The office that has spots appearing…
Babies cry. Babies are messy. Babies are inefficient. Just look at that face. Yeah, he's a cute little guy with that big smile, but it looks to me like there's been a problem with the food distribution system. Is your…
This is the story of a happy family that got too hot and sweaty. They'd lived in their house for a while, and everything was fine at first. The central air conditioning system kept them nice and cool. Over the…
Mini-split heat pumps and ductless go together like peanut butter and jelly. Or do they? If all mini-splits were ductless, then why were those rigid elbows sitting on a jobsite I visited recently? That home is going to be heated…
You've heard of mini-split heat pumps, haven't you? That term often has the word 'ductless' in front of it because most mini-splits have no ducts. There's just the 'head,' which contains the evaporator coil and blower and is usually mounted…