Passive heating / Guides

...heating bill and figure if it is even possible to recoup the replacement cost of a window through added energy savings from that individual window. How long will it take to save $1,600 worth of heat through a better window, and will you even live that long? In most cases it is unlikely that you will be around to see a ...

...heating system, the plumbing contractor will install a network of cross-linked polyethylene piping (PEX). The reinforcement mesh is often used as a grid for attaching the piping. Plastic zip ties work great in this capacity, but ensure the ends are cut or secured, and do not protrude above the level of concrete to be p...

...heating; your home stays cleaner by not bringing in dirt and hibernating bugs. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces do still add ambiance to any home, making it frankly more "homely", so If you do want a wood burning stove or chimney insert & need to know how to size them or choose the most efficient, see here . If...

There are many ways to build a slab-on-grade (or frost-protected shallow foundation), the following is a step-by-step walk though of a thickened-edge slab floor we built. XPS or EPS high-density foam is typically used under concrete slab floors, in this case we used Rockwool mineral fiber insulation ( formerly known a...

This is the third piece in a blog series written by Craig Anderson as he documents the design and construction of an off-grid LEED Gold passively-heated home. See post 1 of the off-grid homes blog her, the overview . or post 2 in the off-grid homes blog here covering design and construction choices . For better or w...

...heating and cooling are most often the largest components of the total energy consumption of a building, how energy efficient a building is largely depends on the building envelope. It controls heat loss, air leakage and the movement of moisture. What is often omitted from the equation that determines the overall eff...