Do Airtight Houses Need Makeup Air?
When you turn on an exhaust fan, it blows air from inside the house to the outdoors. That air leaving the house will be matched by an equal amount of air coming in from outside. The more airtight the house…
airtightness
6 Reasons to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
With winter beginning soon and energy prices climbing, let's talk about energy efficiency. And I'm not talking about that standard crap about caulking the windows and weatherstripping the doors. (You may recall that I've advised people NOT to caulk the…
A Continuous Air Barrier Between Garage and House
An attached garage is the source of a lot of indoor air pollutants for a great many homes. That's because we store gasoline, pesticides, paints, and other toxic materials there, and we exhaust the fumes of automobiles there as well. …
Can Duct Sealing Lead to Condensation?
When can doing something good for your house turn into something bad? Hmmm. There are way too many answers to that question, so let me narrow it down. Is it possible to make your ducts more airtight, a good thing,…
Building Your First House as an Owner-Builder
Building your first house as an owner-builder can be hectic, nerve-wracking, and wildly exhilarating. I experienced all those things and more when I built a house for myself 20 years ago. I've written a bit about it here in the…
