Insulation

The ABCs of Saving Energy

Across the country this month, some homeowners are writing checks for yet another high cooling bill, while others are dreading the rising heating costs as winter approaches. Although the quick fix to save on energy costs is to turn up the thermostat in the summer and turn it down in the winter, maki...

10 Smart Energy-Saving Strategies

Energy bills soaring this winter? Fortunately, you can do something about them. By following some or all of these simple strategies, you can keep a cap on energy usage, while keeping your family comfortable. 1. Add a layer to your attic insulation, especially if your home was built before 1...

Warm-Air Heating

One of the really remarkable things about life is how limited the human comfort range is. Without protection, humans can only tolerate a narrow temperature range - about 64° to 113° F. Over the millennia, humans have developed means for tempering the air around them, from fires in caves to...

Weatherproofing Walls

When building a new home or adding on to an existing one, most homeowners don't give much thought to the exterior walls. Weatherproofing issues usually are not high on the list of priorities. By the time the last bit of crown molding has been installed and the new floors have been finished to a fine...

The ABCs of SIPs

Two years ago, when a small lot next to my property became available, I bought it with the idea of building a small, inexpensive, energy-efficient and affordable rental house on the site. After researching the possibilities of building a conventional stick-frame structure as well as using alternativ...