Homemade biodiesel
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Post-tension cables; fire damage; wrong railing test; skilled workers; radiant and geothermal; more
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Q. I have a leak in my recently installed radiant tubing, no doubt caused by freezing last winter before the system was fully operational. The tubing is a 300-foot run buried in a 4-inch concrete slab. Is there some kind of "stop leak" that can be circula
Green roofs take off
Asphalt shingles; heating and cooling equipment; home automation
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Q. I'm finishing a basement room for customers who want to put carpet over the radiant slab. I'm concerned the carpet will insulate off some of the heat, but I can't talk them out of it. The slab is 4 to 5 inches thick, and the 1/2-inch PEX tubing is laid out on 12-inch centers, with 11/2 inches of...
Direct-exchange heat-pump technology is pushing energy efficiency through the roof, and because it requires far fewer feet of ground loop, systems can be retrofitted even on small lots.
Down-and-dirty flooring goes upscale
Balancing cooling with humidity control is a tough job in the coastal South. A North Carolina hvac pro explains how the latest generation of cooling equipment meets the challenge.
Electric-resistance tile-warming systems can increase comfort in the kitchen and bath without greatly increasing the client's electric bill. A tilesetter shares his method for a foolproof installation.
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Q. How cost-effective are solar panels?
Resources for cabinetmakers, radiant heating products; kitchen faucets
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Q. I am renovating a barn where the existing concrete floor slopes approximately 6 inches in 30 feet. The architect wants me to build a level floor using wood sleepers with foam insulation in between, then pour a minimum 11/2-inch-thick radiant slab betwe
These compact units provide the comfort and simplicity of baseboard radiators without gobbling up all the available wall space.
Letters (Subscriber content)
Deck details, defending gable vents, screening chimney pots
Streamlined ductwork, flexible vent placement, and efficient year-round performance make a strong case for high-velocity HVAC, says this veteran installer.
A builder shares his approach to providing every home buyer with a customized owner's manual.
The right roofing can dramatically reduce the cooling loads on a house, while adding little to the cost of construction.
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Q. I'm reroofing and residing a small home with no soffits. The customer wants to add attic ventilation. I have no problem adding the ridge vents, but there is no soffit overhang to put the eaves vents in. In fact, to have enough space for the vinyl J-cha
Everyone talks about the importance of sealed ductwork, but the only way to be sure a new system measures up is to test it.