HVAC
Like most homes based on modern design, this one has a lot of glass. But by combining better-performing glazing, good insulation and air sealing, and efficient HVAC, the project team was able to meet energy-use targets.
The New American Remodel team relied on lessons from a decade of technology improvements to create a winner in the race to zero. Here’s how they did it.
Bringing air register design in line with modern design
The goal was to transform a compact A-frame into a spacious mountain retreat. The first floor featured a dramatic, vaulted living space with mountain views. But the U-shaped kitchen layout squeezed traffic in the house between the peninsula and a narrow set of stairs. The master bedroom, which was downstairs as well, needed more square footage.
Upstairs, the steeply sloped A-frame roof cut headroom dramatically, so the bedrooms felt cramped. The homeowners wanted a master suite up top. Architect Doug Walter had his work cut out for him.
We are featuring two projects this year—on opposite sides of the country
Sunny Las Vegas is perfect for solar, and the home has a 7-kilowatt rooftop array from LG. The panels’ location makes them invisible from the ground.
The New American Remodel explores creative approaches to sustainable design
A look at what makes flashing tape so sticky and why the way you install it determines how well it stays stuck
A radiant barrier, such as that on foil-faced rigid insulation, can reduce heat transfer across the airspace between the strapping and metal roofing and siding. Image courtesy Matt Risinger
Foil blocks heat transfer best if it stays clean, is adjacent to an airspace, and the delta is large enough.
In a tightly air-sealed house, a mechanical ventilation system ensures a healthy exchange of fresh air
When a balloon loses air or depressurizes, it gets smaller (and makes a funny sound), but houses don’t roll like that
The second part of our two-part story focuses on the project’s finishes and strategic solutions to real-world construction challenges
Solar power and a maximum fan speed of 400 cfm are key to this easy-to-install replacement fan
Using flexible ducts saves time, but careless installation can cause performance-related problems that are hard to find and even harder to fix after the drywall goes up
An easy way to redirect air from a toe-kick register located under a cabinet
One building science blogger recommends encapsulated crawl spaces. Here's why
Uponor has a new tool for installing PEX tubing in radiant heating and cooling applications.
Noritz describes the new EZTR Residential Tankless Water Heater as a breakthrough in replacement technology: the first tankless condensing residential unit.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in the home are major comfort factors, and can even be health concerns. Making sure you install a cost-effective HVAC system with a long life is essential for a well-rounded project.