HVAC & Mechanicals

This chart explains how moisture behaves in the air as temperatures rise and fall—rainstorms, flooding, and glaciers in wall cavities are distinct possibilities.

It is easier to do a good job sealing ductwork when you're standing at a bench instead of crawling through a crawlspace

Extreme heat and humidity can drive moisture deep into framing cavities which can cause mold, rot, and structural damage

Roof framing, window options, and a mechanical advantage add up to lower bills and a higher quality home

A simple and affordable balanced ventilation solution for small tight houses

Left-, right-, and straight-cutting snips with single- and compound-leverage each have their place on a jobsite

Making vinyl siding look great by eliminating ugly J-channel

Turns out, ducts buried under insulation actually can work to save energy and eliminate condensation inside the ducts. If you seal and insulate them first

Pennsylvania, New York, and Vancouver think so.

Three-pronged solution to indoor pollution: Isolate, eliminate, and ventilate

Two fans talk to each other to replace stale air with fresh air

Houses cannot expand and contract with changes in pressure like balloons can. Instead, they need paths for air to balance the pressure

Keep mechanical equipment within the envelope to improve the quality of houses and homes

Condensation is when moisture in the air hits a cool enough surface to convert the vapor into water.

As houses are built tighter, they exchange less air between inside and outside. This saves energy, but the inside air can get stale if you don't have a fan and a plan

These mighty-mites can provide heating, cooling, and air-mixing for a well-insulated house, but they look so darned—European. It is hard for many Americans to warm up to them.  

Stack effect is relentless: it is always working, when you’re awake or asleep, even during blackouts. And it feeds on itself.

Holes in walls amount to big walls full of holes unless you seal the hole after you make it

Direct the heat toward the feet