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Detailed Assemblies for an Airtight Small Home

finehomebuilding.com

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Re: Detailed Assemblies for an Airtight Small Home

#41

Post by ehnto »

georgeoliver wrote: post #36
hedora wrote: post #20

We did something similar recently. This looks like standard, low cost modern construction to me. If you’re in a warmish climate (like the SF bay area), you probably don’t want to insulate the concrete slab. You get lots of passive heating of the slab in winter already, and having the ground suck that heat out is a win almost year round. South facing windows can be designed with an eave, etc to lower passive heating i…

I build homes. This isn't standard in the US. I don't know how much cost it added -- probably not a lot. 10-20% I'm guessing. But, it's not low-cost.

Surely it depends on where you are in the US?

Re: Detailed Assemblies for an Airtight Small Home

#42

Post by coryrc »

hedora wrote: post #20

We did something similar recently. This looks like standard, low cost modern construction to me. If you’re in a warmish climate (like the SF bay area), you probably don’t want to insulate the concrete slab. You get lots of passive heating of the slab in winter already, and having the ground suck that heat out is a win almost year round. South facing windows can be designed with an eave, etc to lower passive heating i…

> This looks like standard, low cost modern construction to me.

That's the idea, use as much standard stuff, but in a slightly different way to get a way better result, but similar enough you can use normal contractors to execute.

For example, any framer can make a 2x4 wall. But if you want to use SIPs, AAC, even insulated concrete forms... good luck finding someone in most of the country.

Re: Detailed Assemblies for an Airtight Small Home

#45

Post by acidburnNSA »

WalterBright wrote: post #43

I bought a CO2 monitor. What a shock it was to see my office go over 1000ppm. I had no idea. Now I crack the window, and tweak that till the CO2 stays below 600 or thereabouts.

I got one too, and a PM2.5 laser sensor. It's a huge challenge during wildfire season to keep the PM2.5 and CO2 both good. Needs filtered HVAC to actually do it. I prefer high CO₂ over high PM2.5 of course.

Re: Detailed Assemblies for an Airtight Small Home

#46

Post by aidenn0 »

ebrewste wrote: post #12
matthewaveryusa wrote: post #8

I understand that the construction materials were chosen to be healthier, but wouldn’t it be even better to have a ‘loose’ house with those same materials?

You want to control your ventilation. Making a loose house just means you get ventilation, but not on your terms. HRV/ervs in a tight house allows you to ventilate your house, how you want, where you want. A loose house might be ventilating your house through insulation filled with dust and rat poop. You will never know.

I can see daylight between my ceiling and exterior walls, so I know where the air cubes from in my house...

Re: Detailed Assemblies for an Airtight Small Home

#48

Post by Markoff »

tvb12 wrote: post #11
jweir wrote: post #7

Air tight homes and health problems. https://www.cibsejournal.com/news/airtight-new-homes-creatin...

> "The unit has produced a public awareness film urging people to ventilate their homes properly by ‘keeping vents or windows open when cooking, showering and cleaning..." Why showering?

Why cooking? Only minority of people in developed countries cook on gas nowadays.

Re: Detailed Assemblies for an Airtight Small Home

#49

Post by Markoff »

ars wrote: post #25
wffurr wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can open the door or window.

While you are sleeping? But according to google it would take a week to die from too much CO2 in a sealed room.

just install battery powered CO2 detectors then

personally I'm not fan of airtight homes

Re: Detailed Assemblies for an Airtight Small Home

#50

Post by lysp »

Markoff wrote: post #48
tvb12 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "The unit has produced a public awareness film urging people to ventilate their homes properly by ‘keeping vents or windows open when cooking, showering and cleaning..." Why showering?

Why cooking? Only minority of people in developed countries cook on gas nowadays.

Depends on the country.

Australia for example has a high amount of gas usage for cooking.

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