The HTRC – The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

Getting the Details Right: Make-up air & undercutting doors

Whether you are one who believes that houses need to breathe or don’t, there is one item all can agree on – nature abhors a vacuum. When this vacuum is caused by mechanical equipment, well, things start to get interesting; bathrooms taking forever to clear up condensation, kitchen smells that linger, clothes taking to long […]

SLSCBS – The end of an era

Back in 2006 I started a remodeling company called SLS Construction. In 2008 I started a blog focused on homeowner education (HRC) which was located on the SLS Construction site. This quickly evolved into helping those in trades with the advent of the RRP, changing energy codes, and other ever-changing regulations so I rebranded it […]

Wacky Weds: Blue Measles & Major Kitchen Fail

Ahh a case of the blue measles aka this isn’t perfect… Hmm too bad they didn’t mark the kitchen exhaust as that is one major issue. No worries, they did get it fixed and swapped the flex for hard pipe as required by code.

2021 Illinois Energy Code – It’s Official

17 months after it was required to be adopted per the EEB Act, the 2021 Energy Code has now officially been adopted. JCAR approved it November 7th & the CDB gave its final approval. Thus, starting January 1st, 2024, all newly permitted projects are required to be built per the 2021 Illinois Energy Code. For […]

Wacky Weds: There will be some tree trimming in your area today…

So the electric company is required to send out notices that tree trimming work will be happening in your area (even if your power lines happen to be underground – ask me how I know) With that said, one has to wonder – just how long it was between trimmings when you see this:

Wacky Weds: Nothing to see here…

Yes folks – that is a corrugated gas line going through a door across a walkway shared with others…

Wacky Weds: I’ll be Working Outside Today

Desk, Chair, Coach, Shade… check Sorry folks this isn’t an OSHA approved setup but it does get an A for originality. (OSHA Standard)

Know thy Numbers: Smoke Detector Placement

For anyone building, remodeling, or altering a house one quickly learns that the code is full of numbers. From insulation minimums to stair maximums just trying to keep track of them can be daunting. One exception is with the placement of Smoke Detectors and to a lesser extent Carbon Monoxide detectors. Oh sure they basically say […]

Wacky Weds: Circuit Breakers Optional

Heh, who needs circuit breakers? Ok yes, I know they are using the old panel as a junction box but wow… besides the mess there are just a few other issues to be dealt with.

2021 Illinois Energy Conservation Code – Moving Forward

For anyone following the Illinois adoption of the Energy Codes, the timelines given are generally pretty optimistic though per the ACT the deadline isn’t… Well welcome to Illinois and wow has this version taken things to a whole new level. Here is an abridged version of the timeline when the whole process kicked off: June […]