Nick Helmholdt's Page

On a recent Quality Assurance site visit, I found a gas-fired water heater with a "Vent-rite Spill Alarm" installed on the flue. The contractor noted that worst-case spillage and draft failed in this home both on the test-in and test-out. I had heard of folks using these alarms, but had yet to see one installed until…See More

A hammer and a saw used to be the key tools for home contractors. Today, the best-in-breed also use high-tech equipment while performing a professional energy audit or verifying that construction has been done correctly.

On a recent Quality Assurance site visit, I found a gas-fired water heater with a "Vent-rite Spill Alarm" installed on the flue. The contractor noted that worst-case spillage and draft failed in this home both on the test-in and test-out. I had heard of folks using these alarms, but had yet to see one installed until…See More

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?See More

A friend of mine in Traverse City asked about options for powering a pump on his home's radiant heat system. During an extended power outage last winter, their gas-fired boiler was able to provide heat, but without a pump, the heated water couldn't reach the living area. Tall pine trees surround the home so there is little opportunity for solar power without extensive tree removal. My question is if there is a system that allows a manual override of the pump for this type of system? See More