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‘Building Enclosure,’ Not ‘Building Envelope’
Subtitle: Language matters, and I’ve decided to join the enclosure crowd Images: When I wrote about the debate over the terms “building envelope” vs. “building enclosure” recently, I favored the...
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Air Leaks Happen at the Surface, Not in the Volume
Subtitle: So why do we still report blower-door results in ‘air changes per hour’? Images: During the Westford Symposium on Building Science in 2010,* I was watching the tweets from the people who...
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An Epidemic of Duct Disease and Enclosure Problems
Subtitle: A report of the day I spent going on air conditioner service calls with an HVAC pro Images: When an air conditioner breaks down in hot weather, homeowners reach for their phone. The...
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Spray Foam Insulation Is Not a Cure-All
Subtitle: Poor installation can negate the benefits of this popular insulation Images: Spray foam insulation is a great product. Homes insulated with it can be some of the most efficient and...
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How to Get Your Ducts Inside the Building Enclosure
Subtitle: Ducts in unconditioned spaces waste energy Images: I'm a big advocate of getting ducts inside the building enclosure. In cooling climates, getting ducts out of an unconditioned attic can...
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The Importance of Defining the Building Enclosure
Subtitle: This new home has a murky boundary between inside and outside Images: The photo at right shows a common problem in new homes. It's also one that can make it difficult to pass the blower door...
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How to Become a Building Enclosure Control Freak
Prime: prime Subtitle: The fundamentals of controlling heat, air, and moisture Images: Frank Lloyd Wright was a control freak. This was a guy who not only designed houses but also all of the trim...
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What Is the Ideal Relative Humidity in Winter?
Prime: prime Subtitle: The answer depends on the likelihood of accidental dehumidification Images: It was a little crackly around here recently. We had a cold spell in Atlanta, with high temperatures...
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Thinking Clearly About the 3 Levels of the Building Enclosure
Prime: prime Subtitle: Doing so can help you avoid scams, investigate failures, and maximize performance Images: When you approach the subject of building science, especially regarding heat, air, and...
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