When my wife decided she wanted a large flower bed along the front porch, I was worried that we would have standing water in the front yard. I’d addressed standing water issues previously by installing a french drain in the yard so I wasn’t ready to create another issue. I did some research and learned …
How-To
When building my new home I researched options for making the structure as energy efficient as possible. At the same time, I needed to work within a budget. I considered foam insulation but it wasn’t the right choice for me at the time. I decided to focus on air sealing, blown in insulation, and some …
I frequently notice standing water in my garage when I pull in during a rainstorm that will sit for a couple of days. The garage also suffers from condensation on the floor at times. I have been wondering if I need to install a dehumidifier in my garage to prevent mold and structural damage. If …
Gas bills in an apartment can be very frustrating because you have no control over many of the factors that impact your bill. You can’t, for example, just go out and buy a more efficient water heater or furnace. And you probably can’t shop around for a more competitive gas provider. At the same time, …
My daughter’s apartment windows were in bad shape due to age, deterioration, and misuse by previous tenants. I could literally sit next to the window and feel air coming in. If you have a similar issue, I’ve got the solution. Tried and proven. Drafty windows in apartment? Here’s what to do: Air seal around the …
I was working on air sealing the exterior of my home where I had a hole around the air conditioning pipes that was too large to seal with silicone. I wondered if I could apply Great Stuff foam in an area that is exposed to rain and moisture. I researched this and here’s what I …
If you really want to cut your electric bill by 50%, there are some very specific strategies that you can use to do just that. The key is in evaluating your usage, implementing simple energy-saving solutions, and pursuing energy-efficient improvements that will have a positive return on investment. Here’s the steps to REALLY cutting your …
The comprehensive DIY Home Efficiency Audit! If you are anything like me, you know that your home could be more energy efficient. Money spent needlessly each month on wasted or inefficient energy consumption can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. But where do you begin? It begins with taking a …
We all love the idea of saving money with an energy efficient home. A penny saved is a penny earned, after all. But not every energy efficiency upgrade will give you a return on investment. The determining factor in whether an energy efficient upgrade is worth the investment comes down to two factors: How long …
When my family was building a new house, I was concerned with a low area in the front yard where water did not drain. If you have standing water in your yard I can tell you I considered a lot of options but finally settled on using the EZ Drain French Drain system. I have …