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In Search of the Most Energy-Efficient Windows
How do offerings from Serious Materials, Thermotech, Inline, and others match up out there in the real world?
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Are Tankless Water Heaters Really Green?
Instant water heaters don't have the standby losses of storage units, but when the result is an 'endless supply of hot water' real savings are dubious
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Bathroom Walls, Mold, Vapor Barriers, and Building Codes–Where’s the Love?
Is a building inspector justified in insisting the kraft paper facing be removed from fiberglass batt insulation because of mold potential, or will that actually cause moisture problems?
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Can Exterior Foam Insulation Cause Mold and Moisture Problems?
A thick layer of rigid foam insulation amounts to a vapor barrier on the outside of a house. Won't this trap moisture and rot the OSB?
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How Can I Make Old Windows More Energy Efficient?
Movable window insulation can extend the life of classic historic windows
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Water Damage in Brick Basement
Seasoned builders and a moisture expert debate whether rising damp or a blocked chimney caused this brick column to crumble.
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What’s the Most Cost-Effective Way to Bring Fresh Air into a Tight House?
A reader from Texas asks about whole-house ventilation for an energy-efficient home in a hot climate
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Does Spray Foam Insulation Off-Gas Poisonous Fumes?
Open- or closed-cell spray foam insulation is a great way to get air sealing and insulation in a single step, but the health implications are fuzzy
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Will Solar Panel Mounts Cause Roof Leaks?
Drilling 54 holes in the south roof could be a source of frustration...
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Can a Kitchen Downdraft Fan Be Connected To an HRV?
Heat recovery ventilators bring fresh air into a house while exhausting stale air. Builders pull stale bathroom air through HRVs all the time — but what about greasy kitchen air?