The Surroundings Are Comprised of (fill in the blank) !
In Building Science…See More
Best Practices (Residential)
Information
Best Building, Retrofitting, or even Auditing Practices - what are they, what should change, what needs to find it's way to the dust bin of history?
Members: 253
Latest Activity: Apr 22
Discussion Forum
Attic ventilation with mixed soffit heights. 34 Replies
Passive venting solution needed.How do you manage the air flow to properly ventilate an attic when one soffit is low and the other somewhere in between low and high? I have a cape with an almost…Continue
Started by Bud Poll. Last reply by Bud Poll Apr 17.
Looking for advice on garage-to-house air sealing 12 Replies
We know that air from attached garages moves into houses, and we have some data on the size of the leakage area from the garage to the house, based upon field research. However, we are now working on…Continue
Started by Don Fugler. Last reply by Eric Kjelshus Apr 4.
Variable Frequency Drive controllers 3 Replies
Would anyone out there happen to have experience with a retro-fit VFD controller for a pool pump system? I'm interested in the complexity of the the retro-fit as well as the measured savings.Continue
Started by Eric Sperline. Last reply by Dennis Heidner Mar 30.
Connected home refrigerators - are we excited? 7 Replies
A read-through of the revisions proposed for ENERGY STAR refrigerators (expected to take effect in March 2014) indicate that "connectivity" capability is included in the guideline. …Continue
Tags: response, appliances, demand, STAR, ENERGY
Started by Barbara Smith. Last reply by Barbara Smith Mar 22.
RESNET & Confirmed Ratings - no more fake numbers 2 Replies
Who says they don't listen or they deny almost every response? I just got the email last night that...Accepted. BSR/RESNET Standard 301-201X will be modified to require testing of envelope leakage…Continue
Started by Sean Lintow Sr. Last reply by Sean Lintow Sr Mar 2.
To tyvek or not to tyvek... that is the question 3 Replies
Lately I have been seeing & getting numerous questions on the use of WRB’s or Weather Resistive Barriers. For example; do I need it if I am using foam? If I am installing foam, should it be…Continue
Started by Sean Lintow Sr. Last reply by Bud Poll Jan 22.
Ridge Vent NFA 15 Replies
I'm confused. If a ridge vent is advertising 18 in² of Net Free Vent Area (NFA) per linear foot, yet is only 3/4" thick, what is the real NFA. 18 in² would be the exposed edge of the vent (9 in²…Continue
Started by Bud Poll. Last reply by Bob Blanchette Jan 5.
Attempting to identify fireplace outside air intake 4 Replies
Wood burning fireplace on 13 year old home in Wisconsin. Exterior wall with cantilevered chase. During blower door test I found noticeable air leakage to the inside from above the metal firebox.…Continue
Started by John Shillito. Last reply by Ed Voytovich Dec 25, 2012.
Don't eat your sweater 13 Replies
Many of you may have heard Joe Lstiburek say"Build tight, ventilate right and don't eat your sweater.."or you may heave read where John Straube called walls without outside insulation "Turds"I would…Continue
Started by John Brooks. Last reply by tedkidd Oct 18, 2012.
Exhaust Fan Venting - Bathroom, ERV, & HRV 34 Replies
In another thread (that grew quite unwieldy) the question came up about exhaust ventingRobert…Continue
Started by Sean Lintow Sr. Last reply by Robert Riversong Oct 10, 2012.
Comment Wall
Comment
-
Comment by A. Tamasin Sterner on December 7, 2010 at 3:15pm -
As Auditors, our BEST practice is asking the customer/client to tell us how they want their house to be after we leave. As QA professionals, our BEST practice is to never report anything as poorly done, or missed unless we are SURE and we've verified it ourselves. As Trainers, our BEST practice is to take the time needed with each student.
-
Comment by Dennis McCarthy on December 3, 2010 at 5:28pm -
Regarding best practices, beside my uber advocacy of SSL - there
are also low cost/ no cost things I champion for every homeowner
like adjusting door sweeps, use of faceplate insulation and shutting power off unless an item is being used and the one that I feel strongly about we only use rechargable batteries-
I constantly talk about low utility bills and these are some of the
examples of where we walk the walk, who wouldn't want to
halve their bills / or at least try. Good strategies lead to good results!
-
Comment by Sean Lintow Sr on November 19, 2010 at 12:23pm -
Folks, I was hoping we could get some good discussions started on Best Practices & it appears we do have a few started. I really do encourage everyone to jump in and participate as you will be amazed sometimes that not everyone knows something
With that being said, I will not hesitate to pull discussions started that do not revolve around actual best practices, or something that needs to be changed.
For example: while I am glad that your electric bill maybe $22 a month, don't try selling everyone on the fact it is because you changed your windows, used SSL's or installed a radiant barrier only. I will grant you that changing out your bulbs to SSL's is a best practice - but you need to provide advice on choosing them (names are fine) not using it as a sales tactic or justifying it with claims that it is the only reason you have a $22 bill - we know better
Thanks everyone
-
Comment by John Poole on November 5, 2010 at 4:01pm -
Great idea and great mission statement, Sean. Glad you formed this group!
-
Comment by Sean Lintow Sr on November 5, 2010 at 3:51pm
-
You have seen the bad, you know what needs to change - so why not list what you know or think should change?
Have a problem with an existing practice like blowing cellulose on top of fiberglass batts - lets get it up there and help others decide on what's best & what isn't
I hope this will take off & we can get some good conversations going & who knows maybe get some of those bad issues relegated to the scrap heap where they belong, while helping improve others knowledge
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Next ›
Home Energy Pros
Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.
Latest Activity
tedkidd replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??"Pat, I think you and I agree on a LOT of things.
One thing I don't want to see is more…"
tedkidd commented on Tom Delconte's blog post Robert Shiller Says Retrofits Are Never Worth It!"Bob B.
Buying a home is a good investment because it is forced savings more than a good…"
Joe Huang posted a discussionWhite Box Technologies launches Web-based weather data for building energy simulations
White Box Technologies is pleased to announce under agreement with ASHRAE the launch of WBT Weather…See More
Joseph Lamy commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"My life changed when I got 'ductalatored' - became familiar with proper sizing guides for…"
Judi Lyall joined allen p tanner's group
Energy Auditing Equipment for Sale, Trade or to Purchase
Discuss the pros and cons of the equipment you are interested in prior to purchase. Post equipment…See More
Judi Lyall replied to David Starrett's discussion I am looking for a good IR camera in the group Energy Auditing Equipment for Sale, Trade or to Purchase"Hi there
I am selling my equipment and have a great Fluke TIR for sale for 3600.00
If…"
William H Nickerson commented on Tom Delconte's blog post Lykans $29, Vampires $0 !"66 watts a/sec -3960 w/min 237600 w/hr 5702400 w/day …"
tedkidd commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"I think Tom is busting your chops Jim. The "drivel" part may not have been well…"
Tom Maides commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"Some of the best scientists of the previous 1000 years were also leaders in the Church. Aside…"
© 2013 Created by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
You need to be a member of Best Practices (Residential) to add comments!