Author Archive

Harvesting Energy From Our Existing Buildings Stock

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

There is a promising and massive source of energy right at our fingertips — but, so far, this resource remains largely untapped. I’m not talking about methane deposits from coal shale or a new solar power technology. This energy resource is available today in every city and town, requires neither mining, nor costly power plants and cannot harm any endangered plant or animal species. In fact, it even creates jobs and provides many other side benefits as well.

Harnessing the energy that is normally wasted in buildings offers more potential for cost-effective energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions than any other strategy.  Study after study reaffirms that technologies already available today can (more…)

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night…

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

A Twisted (and Fictional) Building Science Tale for Halloween

I had been summoned to an investigation on the outskirts of town. The house was a bit hard to find with the approaching dusk and gathering dark clouds – it was my last Home Performance Analysis gig of the day. As I walked up the stone steps, the rain sprayed wet bullets at my neck.

“Gotta remember to look for moisture problems,” I muttered to myself, drawing my coat tight around me. (more…)

Moisture and Your Home

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

The third in a three-part series about Air, Heat & Moisture.

Over the last few weeks, Bill Klotz and Allison Arpin have talked about the various ways air and heat can get into or out of a house — and what the negative effects can be. In the final installment of our 3-part series, I’m going to talk about moisture issues.

Uncontrolled moisture is the undisputed leading cause of (more…)

Don’t Overlook The Air Barrier Test

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Air barrier testing is becoming a common – and sometimes mandatory – tool for measuring the performance of commercial, military and residential buildings, yet many people aren’t quite sure what an air barrier is, or how to prepare buildings for this rigorous test. In this post, we’ll focus on air barrier testing in military and commercial construction projects.

In simple terms, an air barrier is the boundary around a building that keeps outdoor air out and indoor air in. (more…)