We’ve been focusing on the forces of nature that cause heat and moisture to go in and out of our houses. Why it matters: The leakier our envelope —> the less control we have over the conditions inside the house. Envelope = The 6 sides of the house —> ceiling, floor and four walls 📣 Good […]
🧧 Ready your envelope – Part 5 Read More »
Ready your envelope – Part 1 is an overview of the role of a tight building envelope. In Part 2 and Part 3 we looked at the movement of heat and water. Finally, let’s consider pressure differences. Why it matters: With pressure differences, air and everything it carries (heat, moisture, contaminants) is moving from higher
🧧 Ready your envelope – Part 4 Read More »
Ready your envelope – Part 1 is an overview of the role of a tight building envelope. We covered the first of the three basic laws of physics that relate to building tightness in Part 2. Why it matters: The leakiness of your house is directly related to your ability to control the conditions inside.
🧧 Ready your envelope – Part 3 Read More »
Ready your envelope – Part 1 is an overview of the role of a tight building envelope. “A house needs to breathe” is a cliche in the world of contracting that is just … false. Why it matters: This is a way to describe a leaky house and a leaky house cannot maintain the cold
🧧 Ready your envelope – Part 2 Read More »
Click here to read the intro to this series. Let’s dive into understanding your building envelope. Why it matters: Your home is a system consisting of 2 primary components. The building envelope + the mechanical systems (HVAC) 🥊 The bottom line: The tighter your building envelope, the more control you have over the conditions inside. ⛏️ Dig
🧧 Ready your envelope – Part 1 Read More »
After you address air leaks in your home by air sealing, then … and only then … you can add insulation. Start here to read the beginning of the “Ready your envelope” series. Why it matters: Adding insulation without air sealing is like putting on a sweater over bare skin and walking outside when it’s
🐑 Ready for insulation Read More »
This current email series is focused on helping you move towards independence in your home. Independence is the first step toward interdependence —> think about the message we hear on airplanes, “Put on your oxygen mask first.” 🥊 Reality check: A leaky house (like mine) is LESS resilient. A tight building envelope gives you more
💂 Protection of a tight envelope Read More »
When you think about it, there are 5 major parts of the Texas Electricity Market. ERCOT managing the stability of the grid. Power generators generating the electricity. Utility companies that transmit and distribute electricity. Retail electric providers who manage the consumers of electricity (residential and commercial). And you! Why it matters: Knowing what power you
🏭 ERCOT, Oncor & you: Part 4 Read More »
We know insulation in our building envelope resists heat flow, so adding more should be better, right? 🥊 Reality check: Adding insulation is really step number 3. You’re wasting money if you don’t do steps 1 and 2 first. ⚡ Flashback: Step 1 is to air seal, which I wrote about here. Air seal —> then
🦙 Wasting money on more insulation Read More »
