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An Environmentally-Friendly Update to Acoustic Insulation

When it comes to acoustic-friendly insulation, sound quality tends to overpower eco-friendliness. In the last year or so though, companies have been coming out with alternatives to formaldehyde and p...

How to Insulate an Adobe House?
Good Questions

Q: We live in an adobe house and, contrary to popular belief, it is not particularly energy efficient. The "R value" is about 5 or 6. Short of wrapping the exterior of the house in insulation and re...

Nansulate - Home Insulation in a Can?

Nansulate Coatings claim effective insulation, corrosion resistance, mold resistance and led encapsulation all in an easy-to-apply paint like product. Too good to be true?...

DIY: Insulate Water Pipes

Cost: $1.50 - $7.50 / 6ft section of insulation Time: 1-2 hours, depending on amount of pipes Uninsulated hot water pipes are like radiators, transferring the heat to the air – which is not a good...

Is DIY Spray Foam Insulation a Bad Idea?

While I'd love to stick denim insulation in my walls, it's just not possible without ripping off all the sheet rock. So while the debate goes on for petroleum based insulation products that claim zero...

Radiant Barriers: Improving Your Homes Efficiency by Reflecting Heat In and Out

Radiant barriers reflect heat away during the summer and reflect it in during the winter. They are easily added to existing homes at little cost....

Good Question: How Do You Get Ready for Winter?

It's that time of year again: Although it's still relatively warm here in California, we know that other parts of the country are starting to cool off significantly. That means that it's time to get y...

Weekend Project: Install a Storm Door

We’re not sure what the weather is like for all you readers, but here in Chicago we are officially in Fall mode – the temperature went from 80 to 60 in a matter of a weekend. It’s about this tim...

Icynene
West Coast Green 2008

Insulation is key to building any kind of green home. Some love Icynene; others think it has no place in a green home. Why such a polar response?...

Now What? Energy Inspectors!

So you’ve changed your light bulbs, adjusted your thermostat, and replaced your furnace filter… But you still don’t see a difference in your energy bills? Energy Inspectors to the rescue! Simil...

September Best Posts: Good Questions on Interior Insulation, Memory Foam, and Freecycle vs. Recycle

In September we pondered questions on interior insulation, memory foam (and whether or not it's good for sex the earth), and freecycling vs. recycling. [links after the jump]...

August Best Posts: Good Questions on Recycling Appliances, Green Swiffers, and Windows vs. Insulation