The HTRC – Page 36 – The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

A new label for houses?

For many the following email & idea may come as a surprise. For some of us the only surprise is that they have taken this long to think of it. It appears that RESNET in conjunction with their Energy Smart Builders program would like a new label to use on their buildings. Good idea or no… […]

Wacky Weds: Job Security

I wonder where the shingles are hiding & where the water might want to go… Oh yeah & that results in this type of damage Even with the shingles overhanging the sheathing by 2″, you still need to install a drip edge to prevent water from being wicked back by surface tension & wind. That is […]

Infrared Fun

Sometimes one just needs a laugh or head scratcher, so in honor of April Fool’s Day here are a few cool, funny, & head scratching infrared pics we had… So, hot off the press our newest post… I guess this was the painters idea of an April Fools joke… (Visible) Isn’t it amazing what infrared […]

New-School Ways to Heat & Cool: WiFi Programmable Thermostats

This week we have a guest article from Garret Stembridge of Extra Space Storage of Brighton MA. As part of their focus on optimizing the customer’s experience in finding and using self storage units, they have implemented many conservation initiatives like solar power, implementing energy efficient lighting systems and daylight harvesting. As part of this process […]

Wacky Weds: Cellulose Duct Insulation?

Now this is way too funny… This ummm… cellulose wrap comes to us courtesy of Joe Cooper, MPH, LEED AP Homes (& verifier) at EcoSouth.org up in Huntsville. I got to imagine that this wasn’t found on one of the houses he does LEED or Earth Craft consulting & verifications for. In case you are wondering as I […]

Myths & Misconceptions; Insulating water lines

As many of you know, last week was “Fix a Leek” week which was the primary focus of KB Tribes weekly Twitter chat (Group of Kitchen & Bath designers, builders, and manufacturers). During this chat on saving water, our friends @PfisterFaucets said “In the bath or anywhere – insulate your pipes. It saves.” Yep you […]

Lunch & Learn about the AERC

As part of the North Alabama Leadership Group of the USGBC & also as the presenting speaker, I would like to invite you to attend this April’s Lunch & Learn Event. I will be discussing where everyone currently stands in the adoption process, the changes in the Building codes coming soon to a city near you, some […]

Getting the details right: 4 biggest roof flashing errors to avoid

No matter what the age of a building there is one simple universal truth; water is a buildings worst enemy. As the saying goes, if you can keep the water out & away from the building, it can last forever. One of the most overlooked areas unfortunately happens to be your homes primary defense; the […]

Wacky Weds: Penny Wise but Pound Foolish

We got another two-fer special for you today…Both involve a simple piece of flashing called a kick-out which directs water away from the wall. For more on this simple detail & the codes around it, check out 4 Flashing Errors & how to Avoid Them . Do you really need three guesses where the water is […]

Fix a Leak with the WaterSense Program

This week happens to be the EPA’s 5th annual “Fix a Leak” week which we have covered before. Instead of focusing on unintentional water leaks this year we wanted to focus on one of the biggest intentional ones & that is your hot water faucets & showers. Ironically most people don’t realize how much they […]