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Green Remodeling & Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Explore ideas, tips, and discussions on sustainable and energy-efficient remodeling practices, including renewable energy systems, home insulation, HVAC efficiency, and eco-friendly materials.
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Discussions
Can bathroom and kitchen fans keep up after air sealing?
How should someone judge whether bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans are enough after air sealing, versus considering balanced whole-house ventilation? I’m especially interested in how the need for…
underfloor warmth: electric mats or hydronic tubes?
Been thinking about finally ditching the old radiators and going for underfloor heating. Did some digging around, and seems like there's two main ways to go about it…
What should drive the choice of backup heat for a heat pump?
How do you decide whether a heat pump should use electric resistance backup or keep a gas furnace as part of a dual-fuel system, especially in a historic…
What should a pre-sale solar removal quote include?
Before deciding whether to keep an older rooftop solar system or remove it for roof work, what should an on-site assessment cover? The system’s age and records can…
Remote sensors in a few rooms, or actual HVAC zoning?
Can smart thermostat sensors smooth out uneven room temperatures, or do they mostly help choose which rooms the system pays attention to at different times? It seems like…
Infrared shows a cold patch, but is it actually a draft?
A cold-looking area on a thermal camera doesn’t necessarily mean outside air is leaking in. How do you use infrared imaging and a smoke pencil together when wind,…
How much does low-VOC paint change the installed quote?
When comparing a low-VOC paint with a conventional one, how do you tell whether the price difference is really in the paint or in the work included? I’d…
How much scope belongs in a recessed LED quote?
A low quote for LED retrofit trims can look appealing, but it only answers the question if the existing recessed housings are in suitable condition and compatible with…
My attic hatch is basically a portal to Narnia
So, um, I was up in the attic yesterday and felt this crazy cold draft coming from the hatch. Like, seriously, it felt like stepping into another dimension.…
Is your smart speaker secretly gossiping about you?
Just read this weird fact that some smart speakers can accidentally record conversations even when you haven't said the wake word. Apparently, it's because they sometimes mishear random…
