Hearth.com

How much heat does your house loose?

2012-02-06T16:00:22-05:00

I have noticed that I loose 1° per hour. I have a 1978 2 storey house with a brick front and siding for the other sides and an asphalt shingle roof. There’s plenty of insulation, or so I thought, in the “attic” space. I think I am losing the majority of my heat through the walls (there is only some pithy blue board insulation in the walls). Does anyone else know how much heat they loose from their house by way of degrees per hour?

Ray

Want to cover my piping insulation

2012-02-08T11:31:26-05:00

Last year I wrapped the piping that runs from my boiler to the chimney with some high temp insulation. The insulation works great but it is unfaced and I want to wrap it with somethng to help contain any fibers, etc. What is available? I don’t need anything with more R factor I just need a wrap.

CO Alarm Questions

2012-02-03T05:51:51-05:00

I was doing some drywall work and while sanding my CO alarm’s went off. The alarm is on the second floor and it iis connected to the one on the first floor and basement. The alarm that went off on the second floor where I was doing the work I took out of service becase it would not stop alarming. Now the two downstairs are going through batterys in a week.

Should I replace all three alarms? If so do I need to replace just the alarm or do I have to replace the hard wiring also?

Should I just replace the one on the second floor? Any suggestions?

The quotes are in !!!

2012-02-10T17:20:42-05:00

I got two estimates today for insulation at the urging of BeGreen and Dennis and others I am giving it another price shot to see the cost’s. First company’s quote is as follows

On all exterior walls not gables foam insulation of 5.5R per inch. (Air-krete) Total $7,590 (Walls) Attic (1,995) Overall Cost is 9,585 + Tax
They say 5.5 on the paperwork then on the phone 5.1 the Air-Krete website says 3.9R HMM not adding up here!

The next quote came from the same folks who did Dennis’s home.

All exterior walls not gables Foam insulation of 5.5 everywhere I look is listed as 5.5R a square inch. (Tripolymer) 3100 (Walls) Attic (900) Total 4000 + Tax

What a difference it is almost unbelievable!

Pete

Installing Field Controls Oil Vent Damper (OVD-6)

2012-01-26T04:05:18-05:00

I think I will install an automatic vent control on my oil boiler.
http://www.fieldcontrols.com/pdfs/4325OilVentDamperSS.pdf

It has gotten good reviews here:
http://www.pexsupply.com/Field-Controls-OVD-6-6-Oil-Vent-Damper-11822000-p

I just stuck my hand in through the barometric damper and you can feel the warm air going up the stack even though the boiler’s been shut down a while.
Also, every once in a while, there’s a wood smoke odor in the basement.

Anyway, can anyone tell me how to cut a piece of 6” single wall flue pipe? Could an abrasive wheel on a table saw do it?

Thanks.

VOCs in paint…........

2012-02-10T11:18:04-05:00

gf just had her house rennovated, we’re gussing it was built around the early to mid 60’s prolly ‘64. With the new windows the house is totally sealed which is grea for keeping warm. The flip side is that she can’t quite move back in because she has a reaction to something that causes her to have a migraine. We’re guessing that it’s prolly the paint- big question is, can paint, once totally dried be OK regardless of Any VOCs that it may contain? We also wonder about mold and are fixing to get a Pro Lab kit from the hardware store. Anyone have experience dealing with mold and any remedies short of tearing the walls apart…..........
Thanks

Pole Barn/ Garage

2012-02-09T09:49:52-05:00

I’m looking into getting a 24x24 or 30x30 pole barn/garage built. This would be turnkey, excavating, cement, labor. Just curious what costs I’d be looking at and if anyone had any recommendations on the steel pole barn kits?

Wanting something like this:

Thanks!

Satellite Internet Anyone??

2012-02-04T08:51:00-05:00

Anyone here have satellite internet such as WildBlue or HughesNet.?? Are you satisfied with the service??

Pc. monitor

2012-01-31T19:14:03-05:00

Which Desk top pc monitor gives you the best and clearest viewing LCD or LED. Around 18 inch ? The old CRT is trying to give up.

Flooring Advice For Concrete Slabs

2012-02-06T13:30:11-05:00

Hi Guys,

Need help. My home is built on a concrete slab..Wanted to install bamboo flooring. I know my builder did not seal my slab. I found this out when I installed a porcelain tile floor in the entrance and kitchen/laundry areas..The installer used some sort of blue looking paint like latex product and let it cure 24hrs. So far so good.

Now I want to install a bamboo floor in the hearth/living rooms on the same level. Currently have w/w carpet…The 2 manufacturers I’m considering are Cali or Smith & Fong’s Plyboo..Plyboo told me to get the moisture readings in writing. They don’t recommend installers..So if there is any cupping or product failure I’ll bet my bottom dollar the mfg will blame the installation…Plyboo recommends Bostik Adhesive One Step..

Cali bamboo claims they use a 2 in 1 (begin w/and F and its commercial) product that seals and glue’s all in one. They recommend installers..They did not recommend a test.

Who should I get to do the moisture test? Do I trust the installers or can I get an independent 3rd party review and where?

What should the moisture reading be for Eastern Long Island? I just installed dry wells 2 months ago on my property to channel the rainwater away from the house..My property is quite level..Exposure is South in one room and North in the other..

Should I give up on the wood flooring(both are rated below grade) and go with a porcelain wood look a like? Porcelanosa Tile does have a nice product line for this..For resale purposes I think the hardwoods are better…

Thanks-D