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Do Programmable Thermostats Save Money (And Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs)?
Do programmable thermostats save money and how does this involve bacon wrapped hot dogs? The bacon wrapped hot dogs will make some sense by the end of the post. Some sense. OK, not much. OK, I just...
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Can Ceiling Fans Save Money?
Ceiling fans are incredibly popular and add an elegant look to most rooms. The popularity of great rooms and cathedral ceilings coupled with myriad design choices make ceiling fans a great option to...
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How Do I Control Humidity In My House?
I get a few funny looks during audits when the conversation turns from insulation to water and moisture control. But the two are interconnected whether or not it is obvious. Your entire house is...
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17 Free Ways to Save on Your Cooling Bill
OK, I hope I counted that right but it is very late. We talk here about a lot of different projects that can be done to reduce overall energy use. One common thread with these projects: they cost...
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Journal of Poor Homebuilding v.7
Dryer vents…you can’t point them just ANYWHERE. The surrounding loose fiberglass had been soaked and dried repeatedly over the years and had congealed into solid matts. The patch of moisture...
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The Difference Between Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers
There’s a great Patton Oswalt bit where he contemplates meeting George Lucas in 1996 (gotta love the oblique intros). After slobbering over the original trilogy and just about suffering an aneurysm...
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Can Switching to a Dual Flush Toilet Save Heat?
First off, my wife just joked that I used a photo of a ‘male’ bathroom. Seat up and two rolls of toilet paper. Regarding the heat savings, we’ll see…I haven’t done the math yet. But it is a minor...
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Sealed Combustion Heating and the Appliance Hot Tub Party
Sealed combustion systems are apt to become more central to efficient building as the new energy codes introduce air tightness standards. This implicitly means that you’ll need to pay attention to...
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Concentric Vents and Blizzard Nemo
Blizzard Nemo clobbered Maine and most of the eastern seaboard this past February. Snow blanketed the entire coast, piling especially high in the Appalachian foothills. We slogged through a three...
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Energy Retrofits Without Energy Audits
While some building folks have opined that energy audits are less than essential, I am admittedly biased. It is what I do. But it raises an interesting question: how could one do the work on a...
View ArticleCombustion Testing Video
Setting up and running combustion testing is important for the general safety and welfare of your home. Energy auditors are trained in combustion testing, so this is for professional use. However,...
View ArticleWorst Case Combustion Testing Video
Now that you’ve taken a look at yesterday’s videos about combustion testing, what would a worst case scenario look like? This video provides a glimpse into the worst of combustion testing and...
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