We know that the primary heat losses for the house come from conductive heat flow (heat moving through the structure molecule by molecule from the hot side to the cool side) and convective heat flow (heat carried around by all the airflows moving in an out of the house). We know that a U value is the ability of an element to conduct heat. We … Continue reading Homeowner’s Energy Workbook – Part 9 Total U Value
How good a job does your house do at conserving the energy that you pay for to condition it? Your comfort is the first determiner of that. Are you comfortable in your house? All year ‘round? Are you too cold or too hot? Do you feel drafts? Do you feel clammy in the summer or dried out like a prune in the winter? What sort … Continue reading Homeowner’s Energy Workbook – Part 8 Reading a gas Bill
You need to get familiar with the skeleton of your house. Most of our houses are framed with studs, commonly known as two by fours or two by sixes. These are pieces of wood that have been milled from trees that are nominally 2 inches by 4 inches on a side. (The milled pieces. Not the trees!) They used to actually be 2 inches by … Continue reading Homeowner’s Energy Workbook – Part 7 – The Skeleton
