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Concrete basements in many older homes are inadequately insulated by today’s standards (or not insulated at all). For new construction, both state and local building codes require a minimum R-value of 15 for below-grade walls (walls buried in soil). This makes good sense as the soils in our region are relatively cold; even below the frost line, soil […]

Most of our wood stoves have been put to good use this winter, and mid-winter is a good time for an inspection. One of the most common causes of chimney fires is pipe contact with combustibles. After years of exposing insulation and wood framing to heat, the ignition point of the material drops and it […]

Moisture control in cold climate housing is a critical concern, as moisture accumulation in the building envelope can lead to mold and rot. As homeowners in Interior Alaska add exterior foam insulation to their walls, they can lower their heating bills. However, if not done right, they can also create the potential for moisture damage. […]

After a snowy December, Fairbanks has received a respectable (though still below-average) 30 inches of snow so far this winter. Which makes some residents start pondering snow loads. Snow loads vary across Alaska, depending on where you live. For example, winter snow loads can range from up to 300 pounds per square foot (psf) in […]

Many homeowners use the same appliance to heat both their house and their domestic hot water. These multipurpose appliances are called combined or integrated systems.   Hot water for space heating goes into a hydronic distribution system or to coils for forced air distribution, while domestic hot water goes to a storage tank or directly […]