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Wayne Turett, founder of The Turett Collaborative in New York City and a former United Nations sustainability speaker, has spent much of his career weaving environmental responsibility into his work. But when it came to his own house, he wanted to move beyond theory and see what was possible in practice. So he designed and […]
Previously it was generally accepted in America that many energy efficiency building strategies could reduce operating costs, but generally wouldn’t pay off quickly. So they have been considered more for their quality-of-life improvements, environmental benefits, and a way to invest upfront to keep operating costs relatively lower. With the current geopolitical changes, has that analysis […]
Building Science A plenum truss is one method to keep ductwork inside the conditioned space of a home By Randy Williams | March 26, 2026 Illustration: Steve Baczek The first article I ever wrote for GBA was back in 2020. Titled “Keeping Ducts Where They Belong,” it was all about the issues I see when […]
I’m not sure what you mean by “poly foam board”? Polyiso? “Poly” usually means “polyethylene”, but polyiso is polyisocyanurate — a very different material! I see no issues running rigid foam over the exterior of your studs under your siding. That’s “exterior rigid foam”, which is continuous insulation, and you’ll be fine with that much […]
I’m working to air seal & insulate a small cantilevered floor system in climate zone 4C (western WA). It’s about 6’x8′ and framed with 2x8s, between which is some unfaced fiberglass; 1/2″ ply is nailed on the underside of the joists. Access is reasonable, with about 30″ of clearance from slab to the bottom of […]
Federal Waiver Expands Access to E15 Gasoline to Ease Pump Prices A EPA fuel waiver expands access to E15 gasoline ahead of summer, aiming to boost supply and provide relief at the pump. By Stasia DeMarco March 26, 2026 The EPA approved a nationwide emergency fuel waiver to boost domestic fuel supply and lower consumer […]