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A Conversation With Wolfgang Feist
Questions and answers about the Passivhaus standard
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Navigating Energy Star’s Thermal Bypass Checklist
Since building an Energy Star home is the lowest rung of green, most green builders have to master the fine points of this checklist
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Calculating the Minimum Thickness of Rigid Foam Sheathing
In this case, the code is your friend — just follow the IRC’s foam thickness table
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The History of Superinsulated Houses in North America
Slides from a PowerPoint presentation
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Solar Versus Superinsulation: A 30-Year-Old Debate
A dispute from the late ’70s and early ’80s still sheds light on energy-efficient design
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Prevent Ice Dams With Air Sealing and Insulation
Roof ventilation and rubber membranes are admissions of defeat
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Radiant Barriers: A Solution in Search of a Problem
A well-insulated home doesn’t need a radiant barrier
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Are Dew-Point Calculations Really Necessary?
How to perform dew-point calculations — and why it's possible to design a high-performance wall without performing calculations or consulting a psychrometric chart
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New Green Building Products — September 2010
Every energy-efficient home needs a tight air barrier. Here are some products that might help: a cover for recessed cans, a caulk for polyethylene, and a handful of new housewraps
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Using Rigid Foam As a Water-Resistive Barrier
Some builders of foam-sheathed homes have decided to omit the housewrap