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General Forum - Residential

Spray Foam Attic Ceilings - Reduce Enery Bill By 30%? by Sumlee Does anyone have any research on if having attic ceilings with spray foamed or a radiant barrier helps reduce your energy bill by 15-30% in warm climates such as central Florida. By reducing the attic temperature from 150F... more

No Heat Upstairs In New Construction--A Bad Idea? by Sas778 We are building a new house and do not want to oversize the heating system. Traditional builders think that our plan is crazy. Does anybody have any insight into whether this will actually work? Here are the details of the... more

General Forum - Commercial

Which Material Do You Use For Flooring? by Maylinda As is known to us all, protecting the environment is very important. Can you tell us which material do you use for flooring? Bamboo, wood or complex flooring ? more

Building A Green Home And Factors To Keep In Mind by Runka Hi Everybody!! I feel building a green home requires thorough research. i would like to share some essentials that are necessary for building a well planned and designed green home: 1. Site: Evaluations and analysis... more

Green/Energy-Efficient Design and Planning

1 Pound Spray Foam, What Say All? by Adkjacupstateny Last house I built... open cell spray foam, did the roof underside style non vented roof. Shingles measured temp increase is 5 degrees during hot summer. I went open cell because it does not trap moisture in the OSB it... more

Insulatation by Down2Earth Hi, I just bought a house and totally gutted it. Getting ready to move into it but this winter the 80,000 btu furnace could not keep the house at sixty when it was really cold. The house is only 1,700 square feet with... more

Green/Energy-Efficient Building and Construction

Caulking/Sealing Foam Board by Nfc What type of caulk should be used to either glue foam board to a wall surface, or to join together the tongue and groove boards?  Is regular latex caulk enough? more

Non-Vented Attic; Most Cost-Effective Insulation Method? by Fredwalter I plan on having a non-vented attic on the 26'x30' one-story addition on my house, with the attic space being heated/conditioned. We won't be using the attic space as living space (the roof as a 4:12 pitch so it's only around... more

Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Radius Walls by Jrsimmons What is the best method to construct radius walls?  What ICF manufacture is the easiest to build radius walls? Thanks more

Install Labor Cost For Commercial Buildings by David Hopke What is the ROUGH going price for labor insatllation of ICF in a commercial building?    Two story with 15' tall walls each floor   900 ln ft of walls Just looking for rough per square foot of wall surface LABOR only? more

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Why Has Topics And Replies Dropped Off. by Icfconstruction I have been posting on this site for a while and ICFs and Sips have always been the most popular, and nearly the same. Why has Sip posts dropped off so much? more

Sips And Vapour/Air Barriers by Etaodche Hi, i have several questions about SIPS and i've found that the manfucaturers are little help. they have no con's to list about the products >. I'm living in southern canada and live in one of the few places of the world... more

Radiant Heating

Water Heater Heat Pump Style... by Adkjacupstateny Just like pink insulation... every article about heat pump water heaters is a marketing article written by industry in my opinion. Anyone want to prove to me how in upstate NY... someone can take inside air... cool it...... more

Grundfos Alpha'S As Zone Circulators by Alaskagreen I am thinking of using grundfos Alpha pumps as Zone circulators for a multizone residential heating system with mostly hot water baseboard zones and one radiant zone.  The alpha still is not designed for relay zone control... more

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Would You Want Geo In This Situation? by Ona I appreciate all of your professional feedback on all of my geo questions and concerns.  I am now trying to see if geo is the right fit for my Uncle who is retiring to Texas and wants to build a new home on his land there. ... more

How Can We Get The Most Out Of Our Gshp? by 2Highcover I am looking for advice on optimizing results from our decision to install a GSHP to heat and cool (actually, control humidity levels, for the most part) in the house we are building in western NC.  The house is situated... more

Solar and Wind Power

Record 31.77 Cents Per Kwh Charged In Nyc! by Mikeinnyc FYI: 1,388kwh costs $440.94 total today in NYC. My Actual AUG Bill 2008. What the hell will it be tomorrow? I'm looking for discreet wind power at 5mph avg In Staten Island,NY off the coast line. I'm so there...... more

$1/Watt Pv Panels? by Djschrall A friend recently told me about a new company that just started to produce PV panels and sell them at that cost. I have not researched at all and have no other info right now, but this seems to be a huge breakthrough. Factory... more

Windows/Doors and Interior/Exterior Finish

Fibertec Windows And Triple Glaze by The Rock Hi, I am building a new home up by Ottawa Canada and I am seriously looking at Fibertec Windows. I would appreciate feedback from anyone that may have used Fibertec Windows. Also, any comments on the quality of the ratings... more

Paint Sprayers by Jelly Does anyone have recommendations for paint sprayers - specific types or brands? What should I look for if I buy one? I would like to be able to paint the house, but I would also like to be able to use auto paint for metal... more

Appliances, Lighting and Kitchen/Bath Fixtures

Outdoor Led Lighting by A0128958 I'm looking at replacing 175 W mercury halide bulbs used outside with 28 W LED (mogul bases).  The LED bulb manufacturer claims light output is equivalent This looks like a 'no brainer:'  It's over 6X more power efficient. ... more

Led Lighting by Cmkavala has anyone found a source yet for afforable LED lighting? more

Green Building News

Weatherization Programs Get a Slow Start

Energy Monitoring Reveals 'Design Intentions' in a Green Building 

Green Cement? You Bet!

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