by Susan Jensen Smith | Oct 29, 2013 | Basements
How to help your home work better in a storm. As we pause to remember the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, we can’t help but consider what actions we as homeowners can take to protect our property from the next big storm. Storms are expensive. Not only in terms...
by Susan Jensen Smith | Oct 25, 2013 | Conditioned Spaces, Energy-Savings Tips
Exterior doors come with weatherstripping that helps seal energy-wasting air leaks around door edges. But over time, the foam or plastic material will wear out, fall out, or lose its resiliency. “A 1/32” gap around the edge of an entry door can let in as much...
by Susan Jensen Smith | Oct 22, 2013 | Attics, Energy-Savings Tips
When it’s time to reshingle your roof, consider ENERGY STAR® rated cool roof shingles. Asphalt shingles that use cool roof technology can cut your summertime cooling expenses by 7% – 15%. The key to a cool roof, says the Cool Roof Rating Council, is to reflect...
by Susan Jensen Smith | Oct 17, 2013 | Attics, Energy-Savings Tips
Bringing all U.S. homes to airtightness levels spelled out in the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code would save as much as $33 billion in energy costs annually ~ GreenBuildingAdvisor.com The attic is the biggest source of energy-wasting air leaks in most...
by Susan Jensen Smith | Jul 24, 2013 | Attics, Heating & Cooling
While I normally write about practical design (a.k.a., things you can see), my overall objective is to help homeowners fall in love with their homes. If your rooms are uncomfortable, it doesn’t matter how beautiful they are. A pretty house with ugly room...
