Two building science experts, a builder and a consultant/teacher, take your calls to answer questions you have about the energy efficiency DIY project you are thinking of doing on your house or to give you our advice about proposed work to be done by a contractor. Ask Jim and Chris with more than 20 years of combined building science experience here in Vermont they will have an answer for you!
Waterbury, Vermont
Join Jim and Chris as they host the last episode of House Calls Vermont of the season! They talk about Insulation, their Tiny House project, and take your questions!
Join Jim and Chris as they host the last episode of House Calls Vermont of the season! They talk about Insulation, their Tiny House project, and take your questions!
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about the Better Building by Design Conference (April 27th and April 28th).
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about the Better Building by Design Conference (April 27th and April 28th).
On this weeks episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about windows!
On this weeks episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about windows!
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk with two guests- one with a way to quick seal attics, and another about cleaning heat pumps.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk with two guests- one with a way to quick seal attics, and another about cleaning heat pumps.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about the housing market in Vermont, and how you'd go about buying or selling a home here.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about the housing market in Vermont, and how you'd go about buying or selling a home here.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about how a rapid change in temperature can impact your home! They also talk to you about the indoor air quality tests, update you on the statewide contractor database, and answer your call in questions!
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about how a rapid change in temperature can impact your home! They also talk to you about the indoor air quality tests, update you on the statewide contractor database, and answer your call in questions!
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about the Contractor Registry Bill, and a couple of other stories they've brought up in the past.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about the Contractor Registry Bill, and a couple of other stories they've brought up in the past.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about a bill for having a Contractor Registry for the state of Vermont. Jim and Christ were told that the bill is unlikely to pass unless he hears from you!
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about a bill for having a Contractor Registry for the state of Vermont. Jim and Christ were told that the bill is unlikely to pass unless he hears from you!
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about Workforce Development.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about Workforce Development.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about Jim's testimony in front of the Senate. Jim spoke about the struggle of the middle class in finding homes, especially in Vermont. They also talk to you about Weatherization and Workforce Development.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about Jim's testimony in front of the Senate. Jim spoke about the struggle of the middle class in finding homes, especially in Vermont. They also talk to you about Weatherization and Workforce Development.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about basements! Common issues you may find, or how to make sure you build one well. Tiny Home Rescue Video
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about renewable energy, and specifically solar power! They also talk with Marcus Shapiro from Green Mountain Solar.
On this weeks episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris continue to talk about Indoor Air Quality!
This week on House Calls Vermont, Chris and Jim talk to you about Indoor Air Quality, how they test to see how good yours is, and why it's important.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Chris and Jim talk to you about zero energy houses
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about how best to insulate your house and wallets from rising home heating fuel costs.
On this episode Jim and Chris talk to you about Home Performance Assessments, and making sure your house is sealed up well for the coming winter. They go into the details about why a Home Performance Assessment is a valuable service you should look into.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris host the show from Sticks and Stuff in St. Albans! They talk about air quality, and answer your questions!
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Jim and Chris talk to you about heating systems.
On this episode of House Calls Vermont, Chris and Jim talk to you about roofing! They give you advice on things that could go wrong with your roof, and what to look out for.
Jim and Chris answer your questions on this episode of House Calls of Vermont! The first podcast episode of this season. They talk about figuring out indoor air quality, about the Tiny House they bought, and building supply costs!Submit your questions or comments hereHouse Calls Vermont Youtube
On this show, Jim and Chris talk about mechanicals for the first part of the show. What are the mechanicals in your house and what kind of maintenance is required to make sure they are doing their job with the best effect and highest efficiency. After the break we speak about the bills relating to the construction industry including workforce training, how we get new people into the building industry. Finally we speak to the rise in lumber prices and the projections we have heard from industry analysts about how long lumber prices will be high and when we might expect them to go down.
This week on House Calls Vermont Chris and Jim take lots of great listener calls and discuss two important bills going through the Vermont State House that impact the construction industry and consumer protection.
This week Chris and Jim return to roofs because this late winter we see lots of icicles! We discuss why icicles form and their cousin the ice dam. What it means for the wasted heat and the durability of your house. We also discuss when to replace a roof (shingles or metal) and what you need to keep in mind before hiring a roofing contractor (ie when it is a straight roof replacement and when you need to consider insulation of slopes/dormers, etc). And as always listener calls.
This week Jim and Chris discuss membranes. What do we want membranes to do? Air sealing, moisture control, and more. What is a perm and how do I know I'm building a safe assembly (wall, roof, slab, etc.). What is a "vapor sandwich", why we don't want one and how to avoid this common, building science mistake. And calls from you, our listeners.
This week Chris and Jim take a look at the regulatory environment in Vermont regarding Contractors. We are speaking specifically about Residential Contractors. Commercial Contractors already have lots of regulations protecting consumers/owners from nefarious builders. Not so for Residential Builders. The Vermont is called "The Wild West of Builders" by our eastern cousins in New Hampshire. We look at the current situation and what the State and various stakeholders think about how things should change. We speak with Vermont State Representative Scott Campbell who is sponsoring the bill H.157 to introduce a statewide Contractor Registry. We also listen to your calls. Take a listen to the important consumer protections that such a light touch Contractor Registry can mean for our state.
This week Chris and Jim finish their discussions on Passive House and super insulated houses. We cover topics such as the Passive elements and move into the active elements (like ventilation, heating, etc.) as well as cost benefit and other benefits of Passive house. We look at a few other building standards as well as answering listener phone calls.
Today Jim and Chris discuss the benefits of super insulated houses known as the Passive House. These houses, when built correctly, use almost no energy to heat and cool. A 1200 square foot house in Charlotte was using an average of $20/month to heat (averaged over the entire year)! How do we attain these efficiencies? Are these houses safe to live in? These questions, answering your calls, and more answered during this episode!
Jim and Chris just didn't have the time to get through all of the points about insulation last week so we are returning to the land of Insulation! They finish fluffy or batt insulation and go on to discuss the pros and cons of various rigid insulation boards. Where we should and shouldn't use them. What to look out for when using them. They also answer listener questions. A great episode!
Jim and Chris talk about insulation. What kinds are there? What is the difference between fluffy and rigid? Is spray foam fluffy or rigid? Which insulation should be used in what applications and more! Lots of calls this week from you, our viewers.
This week on House Calls Vermont Chris and Jim dive into the second part of Windows. Who knew there was so much to talk about regarding windows! Well there is! Frame, glazing, coatings, wall to frame connection, and much more as well as answering your call in questions. A Happy New Year episode!
This Saturday Chris and Jim discuss Indoor Air Quality. With the heating season upon us we are spending much more time inside. Do you notice a change in your health at this time if year? It could be the indoor air quality. Hear about what might be causing these changes and how to figure out what might be the culprit.
Jim and Chris talk about the final bit of the ABC's of Air Sealing the C is for Conditioned Spaces. It is where we live. Between the attic above and the basement below. What are the issues we can have with the conditioned spaces? Where do we find air leakage? What is the "first condensing layer" and why does it matter? Listen for insights to these questions and more!
This week we spoke about Basements. What types there are. The issues we have there with durability, comfort, and health and safety issues and how best to approach fixing these. Where do I put the insulation? What is first, dealing with standing water or ventilating? Should a basement or crawlspace be ventilated? Listen to get our take on basements!
Jim and Chris give the basic building science on attics, flats, cathedral ceilings/slopes, knee walls. What is important to know when considering improving the performance of your attic and how a leaky attic affects how the whole house operates.
Jim and Chris start show two by going over the A, B, C's of air sealing. This is a simple guide to direct the most common places to best put effort into making a house more comfortable and energy efficient. Marcia from Barre called about a window in front of her kitchen sink and Jim and Chris asked questions and offered advice. Steve Spatz from Efficiency Vermont came on and shared some information about DIY projects and some programs now running through Efficiency Vermont. Finally Michael from Middlebury called about a crawlspace. How should he treat it? Jim and Chris say bring the crawlspace into the thermal envelope, moisture barrier on the floor and insulation on the top 4' of the walls. Don't put insulation in the floor above as this creates competing thermal boundaries. Next week we'll be diving in on Attics!
Inaugural show! Halloween Show 2020! Chris and Jim start their radio journey introducing the topic of Weatherization and answer some calls from listeners about their projects. Niels from Jericho asks about what to consider when doing a phased replacement of wood clapboards on a house out of the 1800's. Steve Spatz, from Efficiency Vermont stops by to give us some information on DIY subsidies available and to explain about the Energy Excellence Network, a group of contractors and home energy auditors who have been vetted by Efficiency Vermont's Home Performance with Energy Star Program. Jim and Chris give their advice to callers and discuss how when you are doing a home renovation that will include the outside walls, windows, basement, ceiling, attic, etc of your house that there are important things to keep in mind. Houses act as a whole and we approach dealing with fixing comfort and durability issues in a wholistic manner. The house as a system.
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