Matt Risinger and the Green Building Blog

In Texas where I build the most common foundation type is Slab on Grade. In effect, we pour a big rock of concrete on top of the ground (also mainly rock) then build a house on top.

My Project Manager Ryan on top of this newly poured Slab Foundation.

I just completed my first house with Perimeter Slab Edge Insulation and I thought I'd walk you through the process. First, let's talk about why to insulate the slab. As we builder tighter and better insulated houses the uninsulated slab becomes more of a heat loss in the winter time for these High Performance Homes. Check out this Manual J energy loss chart from a house we remodeled recently.

Check out the BTU loss through the un-insulated concrete slab on this house.

The chart above is from a house with R-19 walls, and an R-40 roof. As we build better that slab becomes a larger % of the loss of heat!

This is for a house with an R-11 Insulated Slab.

Now look at this chart with a house with similar specs for walls/roof but it has an R-11 Perimeter insulated slab. Big difference! As a percentage of heat loss the floor went way down compared to the un-insulated slab house.
So, let's look at the mechanics of actually insulated the slab. One of our first concerns for this process is Termites! Adding foam to the outside of a slab is a big no-no in Termite country. First, we used Borate impregnated foam from Nisus Corporation. I've been using their Bora-Care on my framing lumber for about 10 years now, but I only recently realized they make a termite resistant foam aptly called Bora-Foam. Our local Termimesh dealer sourced it for me and did the install.

I want to thank Joel Roeling from Termimesh for his help in this project. Also want to extend a big thanks to my Energy Rater/Tester Kristof Irwin of Positive Energy here in Austin, TX. His modeling really helps us decide what approaches will yield benefits long term for the houses I build. Last, but certainly not least was the amazing Architect/Client on this house Scott Ginder of Dick Clark & Associates. Scott and his wife Andrea are wonderful clients and it was such a pleasure to build this beautiful high performance home with them!

Here's the tall slab before insulation.

The Termimesh guys installing Bora-Foam.

After the foam is installed we installed Termimesh to the slab/foam joint.

It really didn't take too much foam to do the entire slab.

We basically turned the foam on the foundation into a standard STO EIFS install.

Here's the completed house.

Architect & Client Scott Ginder had a very nice "Wrap" party for us!

Matt Risinger, Dick Clark AIA, Scott Ginder AIA

Best,
Matt Risinger - Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube.

The topic of sound proofing comes up on nearly every BUILD I'm involved with, so this topic tends to get re-hashed a bunch. I thought I'd post this video I did on Green Glue from 2 years ago again. I talked to this client recently and the solution show in the video is working perfectly. They have two pre-teen girls sharing this bedroom with the Master Bedroom on the other side and they've yet to have sound issues between these rooms! The Green Glue is working great!

Here's a link to it on Amazon so you can see the pricing. If you buy from this link it it helps to support my blogging habit!

Best,
Matt Risinger
Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube.

Have you ever seen a house that was framed with Thermoply sheathing? Here's a "custom" home I took a picture of a few weeks ago that used this (seems like cardboard to me) sheathing.

House with ThermoPly Sheathing

What a HOT Mess, there are so many things wrong with this picture it's hard for me to even start! It's a nightmare for water leaks at the windows, there is no overhang so there WILL be water on the face of this sheathing, and it's going to leak air at every electrical outlet on the outside walls. This house will be lucky to survive past it's first mortgage.
But let's get back to the question at hand. OSB vs Plywood sheathing. Here's a video I shot last week on a new house I'm building in Barton Creek outside Austin, TX.

Here's some product links to what you saw in the video. Carlisle CCW 705. Stinger Cap Stapler for Tyvek. Tyvek Commercial D Wrap. Dupont Flexwrap window sill flashing. DuPont window flashing tape. If you are in Austin, I buy all these supplies from All-Tex Supply.
Best,

Matt Risinger - Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes. Follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger , or check out my video blog on YouTube.

You know how much I love talking about Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, right? I love it so much that I gave an hour long presentation to the AIA Austin Chapter for their Summer Conference in August. I thought afterwards that I should boil down my hour into a 20 minute version and present the slides on YouTube. I turns out that Keynote (Mac's Powerpoint App) makes that process super simple! So, here's my HVAC 2013 update presentation as recorded on my couch last weekend:

Best,
Matt Risinger
Risinger Homes in Austin TX
Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes. Follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger , or check out my video blog on YouTube.

Building codes change on a three year cycle and we just had an update from the 2009 codes to the new 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) and the new 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Austin TX adopted the 2012 IRC this month so all new houses starting now (Sept 2013) will be under the 2012 codes. Here's a link to the Austin Adopted ordinance to see the fine details.
I must admit that I don't own a copy of the building codes anymore. When I worked for a Production Builder 20 years ago having a copy of the Building Codes was a big deal mainly because we were always building at the minimums. Nowadays, I rarely need to refer to "code" and if I am looking something up it's usually handrail/guardrail related. (Remember that code is the worst legal house you can build)
Anyhow, the point of today's post is how the new insulation codes affect a house using spray foam. For a general overview of the IECC code change see this great article by Martin Holladay on Green Building Advisor. Also, remember if you are reading this blog from anywhere besides Austin you'll need to look up your climate zone. See this website for your zone lookup. (FYI, Austin TX is in Climate Zone 2)

Texas Climate Zone Map. Red is Zone 2, Orange is Zone 3, Yellow 4

CEILING INSULATION:
Ceilings have gone from R-30 to R-38 but that requirement is based upon fiberglass insulation on a flat drywall ceiling and a "hot" attic above. With a conditioned attic and spray foam under the roof deck the code has changed from R-21 to R-25. With open cell foam (approx R-3.8/inch) we used to use 5.5" inside the roof line to make code. (I'm also a big believer in using 2" of rigid foam sheets on the roof deck, see this video for my technique). Now to make the R-25 requirement you will need 7" of open cell spray foam. My new Risinger Homes standard is 8 inches of open cell at the roof line for R-30 insulation.

Spraying 8" of Open Cell Foam to the Roof Deck in a Risinger Home

WALL INSULATION:
Walls have gone from R-13 to R-15 OR R-13+2. The +2 is referring to exterior rigid foam that can be added to a standard 2x4 wall with R-13 insulation. This means that typical fiberglass batts in a 2x4 wall don't meet code anymore (finally), you'll need a total fill BIBS or Spray Foam to make the R-15 requirement in a 2x4 wall. My preference has long been to use a total fill insulation and open cell spray foam is tough to beat. It totally fills the stud cavity and it does a good job of air sealing inside that stud bay. Here are some photos of a Risinger Home under construction in Barton Creek my crew just insulated this week. We used 8" of foam in the roofline, and 5.5" in the Advanced Framed Walls.

I consider a conditioned attic a "Must" for the hot/humid south. All my ducts are inside the envelope.

Open cell foam does a nice job of thoroughly insulating this house.

2x6 - 24" OC Stud walls are my preference for R-21 with 5.5" of foam

Advanced Framing: 2 Stud or CA Corner allows foam all the way to the edge.

Looking up at a R-10 Insulated Header using 2 layers of 3/4" R-5 rigid foam.

Best,
Matt Risinger

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes. Follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger , or check out my video blog on YouTube.

I did a blog post last week on this topic then realized it would make a great video! So here it is...

Best,
Matt Risinger

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes. Follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger , or check out my video blog on YouTube.

If you have hard water and use a tankless water heater, sooner or later you WILL need to flush your unit. If you follow this simple routine annually you will get the full 20+ year life from your unit. Otherwise, it's an early death for sure. Feel free to ignore this if you have a water softener or otherwise have soft water at your house.

Supply list:

5 gallon bucket ($5)

2 gallons of White Vinegar ($10)

Submersible Ulitity Pump 1/6 to 1/3HP ($50-90 Here's a link to the one I use from Amazon)

Set of Washer Hoses. ($10-15 Amazon link but you can buy these anywhere.)

Total time for this process should be about 90 minutes and it will save you a ton of hassle and money from getting a clogged system from boiler scale.

Hope this helps!

Best,

Matt Risinger - Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube.

My team completed this remodel of a 1930's house this past year and it had several fun hidden doors inside. Join me for this tour inside...

Remodel with Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

Here's a link to the Sugatsune and Soss hinges shown in the video.
Best,

Matt Risinger - Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

Hidden door in this wall of reclaimed ShipLap Siding

I must admit that I'm a bit of a fanatic about hidden doors! I try to see where I can sneak one in on just about every project. I did a hidden door recently into a Master Bathroom toilet room and thought I'd post a review of the hardware we used and the process to construct the door. If cost is not an issue then my main go-to hardware for hidden doors is this hinge by Sugatsune. I also tend to use these Sugatsune hinges because of the adjust ability after installation. If you are remodeling an older house that ability to adjust later can make a big difference.

However, these Sugatsune's aren't cheap at over $150/hinge. With this particular door that is 9' tall we decided we needed 4 hinges and thought we give these Soss Hinges at try. These are a more reasonable $30ish per hinge. See this Amazon link for Soss Hinge prices. Lastly, here's a link to the Spax screws we really like to using for this application.

Soss Hinges - Not adjustable but 1/5th the price of the Sugatsune

Another big advantage of the Soss hinges is that they make a closer hinge. Sugatsune doesn't make one to my knowledge so we've had to using other less concealed closers with the Sugatsune hinges.

Here's the video we made of the process. These doors have now been in use for a year and have been working flawlessly!

Best,

Matt Risinger
- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

Contemporary Pool by Austin Architects & Designers Mell Lawrence Architects

The photo above is from my clients pool that was designed by Austin Architect Mell Lawrence. You can see more on his website here. (Full disclosure, I didn't build that project)
I'm working on another project for these clients with Alterstudio Architecture and the house we are building has alot of board formed concrete walls like in the photo above. We are still early on the project, but the process of making the mock-up walls was really cool and I thought I'd shoot a video showing the craftsmanship that goes into these exposed architectural walls. Enjoy!

Best,
Matt Risinger
- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

My Laundry Room. CREE SL24 on the left, SL40 on the right.

In the last 10 years I've installed a ton of Fluorescent lights in my houses. Almost all the Laundry rooms, garage, and walk in closets have some type of circular or tubular fluorescent lights (my personal house included). These have generally worked well for me, but my Laundry/Mud/Pantry room in particular has been a bulb killer. I've had these two round "puff" fixtures in there for 6 years now and they seem to eat the bulbs.

Ceiling Mounted Circular Fluorescent Lights from my Laundry/Mud/Pantry Room

They each have a 32W and 40W bulb with an electronic ballast in the middle.

These fluorescent bulbs are rated for 10,000 hours of life, but I'm telling you I changed these bulbs about once per year the past 6 years since they were installed.
My local Austin CREE rep stopped by my office a few weeks ago and showed me these SL24 and SL40 fixtures and I knew these were going to be a HOT item.

CREE SL24

I immediately ordered two to put in my Laundry room to replace the lights pictured above. They have only been in a few days, but so far I LOVE Them! They pump out some serious light at 2000 lumens for the SL24, and 4000 lumens for the SL40. I also like that they are using 3500K for color temperature. That's a nice white that's not too yellow nor too blue. Perfect for Laundry, Garage, Closets, Mud Rooms, Pantries, Craft Rooms, Workshops, or even Office Spaces. Well done CREE! This is a great looking fixture, I won't have to change bulbs, and they are 20% more energy efficient than the Fluorescent fixture they replace. Love it!
Here's the video I made of the install at my house.
PS> Here's the link to the Lutron Occupancy Sensor I'm using.

Best,
Matt Risinger
- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

Water heaters are boring to most people, but if you're reading my blog you aren't like most people! You are like me, you are a researcher. Most likely you're a male, between the age of 45-55, possibly an Engineer or Physician, and you are most likely handsome (guessing here). No offence ladies, but my blog stats show this profile fits 80% of the people reading here. Ok back to the water heaters...
Most houses in America that have access to Natural Gas use a standard 50 gallon gas water heater like this one. Rheem makes a pretty good unit, and I've used this model for a few houses over the years.

Rheem Fury 50 Gallon Gas Water Heater

I've got three issues with these "standard" tank units.

Low capacity. They are typically 40,000 BTU inputs and deliver 70-90 gallons of hot water in the first hour of use. That is enough hot water for small 1-2 person households, but once you fill a bathtub the person showering after that might get cut short on hot water.
Low efficiency. These standard gas tanks are between 55-62% efficient in their use of gas. That means for every dollar of gas I spend I'm only getting 55 cents back, the other 45 cents is lost to inefficiency.
Venting. This doesn't affect you if you are reading this for tank replacement advice, but if you are building a new house you might have this tank inside your conditioned space and the standard metal "B" vents are terrible for combustion safety, and for air leakage.

Finally there is a competitor to the standard tank!
I was reading one of my trade journals last night and came across this really cool new product from Rinnai! I'm a big fan of this company, and have used their tankless units for years (including my house with an outside mounted tankless unit) so this really stood out to me.

Rinnai RH180 Hybrid Tank-Tankless Water Heater

It appears to be a smallish tankless unit that's married to a standard 40 gallon storage tank. Here's a link to the Rinnai website if you want to check the details, but here's what I like about this unit.

It would make a great replacement to an existing 40-50-75 gallon gas unit. Same 1/2" gas line, same connections, and roughly the same space needed. It also uses a standard 4" metal B-vent like 99% of the homes in America have currently. Any plumber should be able to install this without special training.
Their stats show double the hot water capacity of a 50 gallon gas unit. First Hour Rating of this unit is 180 Gallons compared to that Rheem I cited above that has 90 Gallons FHR.
Efficiency. This unit is 80% efficient compared to the Rheem which is 62% efficient. Less waste is a good thing!

Overall this unit shows alot of promise. I'm sure I will have a house in future that will be a good fit for this unit so hopefully I'll have a future Post-Install review to share. Please comment if you have any direct experience with this new unit.
UPDATE DEC 2, 2013:
I had my supplier price this for me to see how it compares and it's about $500-600 more than a standard Rinnai tankless unit. That isn't "cheap" but I think for a well built unit that should last 20+ years that's not a bad price for the performance. If you are thinking of swapping out your standard tank and going tankless you will easily make up that $500 in extra costs for labor/gas lines/venting. This unit is well priced and I can't wait to install one on 2014.

Best,
Matt Risinger
- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

If you like good hardware you will LOVE Accurate's Full Mortise Hardware Locks. I've installed a lot of pocket doors in my career, but these doors I installed recently with this hardware are by far the most satisfying. They are expensive and worth it! Special thanks to Webber + Studio Architecture who specified these for the remodel project we completed together. The sliding door hardware is by Hafele and is the HAWA Junior model. This combination makes for the best available pocket door system I've ever experienced.

Accurate 2002 Pocket Door Lock / Pull

The slider track is Hafele HAWA Jr.

Notice the flush tile to wood transition. I love that detail and do it for all my projects.

These pocket door locks are so crisp, they are worth the premium.

Best,
Matt Risinger
- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

This is really cool, my firm was named "Best Remodeling Contractor" in the Winter edition of Austin Home Magazine. I've always said that being a contractor involved in remodeling makes me a much better new builder, and vice-versa. Taking apart old homes here in Austin has been a wonderful education in practical building science, and the lessons we have learned from these vintage homes has driven so much of what we do in new builds.

Risinger Homes Named Best Remodeling Contractor in Austin Home Magazine

Best,
Matt Risinger
- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

If you've ever installed a Clothes Dryer you know that the vent at the back is in jeopardy of being pinched off the second you push the unit back into place.


Squashed Dryer Vents are pretty common. How long do you think this Dryer takes to dry a load of clothes?

The simple way to eliminate this problem is by using a recessed box. The DryerBox Model 425 gives you a few inches back into your laundry room, and prevents the inevitable kink with an exhaust collar flush to the wall.

The back side of the laundry room wall showing the Dryer Box in place with an upflow exhaust.

Super easy to install.

Here's the Dryer Box prior to sheetrock installation.

These run about $30 and are well worth the minimal price.

I've been using these for about 10 years now, and finally when I was on the job site yesterday it hit me that not everyone has seen these before. Here's an Amazon link to the Model 425 shown. Cheap but effective solution for this common problem.

Best,
Matt Risinger
- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

Everyone needs help buying gifts for men. Here's my list of Matt Risinger approved items for your Builder, Craftsman, Handyman, Engineer, Geek, Woodworker, or just plain Dad in your life. I'll start with the Cheap and end with the Pricey$$$

1. FastCap Tape Measure. $10-15

My crew and I LOVE this tape measure! You can write measurements on the side with a pencil and erase it with your thumb, the measurements read left/right, and it has a pencil sharpener built in! This is the best tape I've ever owned and it's cheap! These run $10-15. I prefer the 16' model because the size doesn't weigh down my belt, but they make a 25' model too if you need the longer length.

2. Tajima Chalk Line Snap Box. $15

Chalk lines are mainly used in rough carpentry, but my guys use them when building decks and doing layouts. Most chalk boxes are clunky, this one is silky smooth! Crisp lines, fast rewind, great hook. Another great gift so your craftsman can replace his old junky model. Again about $15 with Amazon Prime free shipping! I also highly recommend the white chalk by Tajima if you're doing finish work like a deck. The blue chalk can be hard to remove and that's the last thing you need when framing an Ipe deck.

3. Building Science Builder Guide to YOUR Climate $45

My copy of the Builders Guide to Hot-Humid Climates by Dr Joe Lstiburek.

This is the best $45 you will spend in education about Building Science. This book is my go-to Bible on how to build a house in my climate. Consult this map to ensure you buy the correct guide for your part of the country. If you are in Austin, TX you are in the Hot-Humid climate.

4. Leatherman Skeletool Multitool $35

So many tools in such a compact space. This is a builders friend!

This Skeletool is the main knife clipped to my jeans on any given day.

Bottle opener doubles as a lanyard attachment for a pack.

This $35 Leatherman is the only one I've carried consistently over the years. I love my larger Leatherman Wave, but it's nearly $60 and it's too bulky for everyday carry (that one lives in my truck door compartment). This Skeletool is my everyday carry knife. It has a great belt clip and the bottle opener is important when you have so many Aggie friends.

5. Extech Temperature / Humidity Pen $60

As a building science geek, I've loved having this in my glove box to pull out randomly throughout the years. Mine is almost 10 years old and still works perfectly. I use it to verify humidity levels in a house during construction, to see how a humidity is doing in my house (or a clients house), and to verify temperature throughout a house to see if rooms are staying within 2 degrees of each other. If you ever work on HVAC systems this is the model to own! Runs about $60.

6. Lie-Nielsen Block Plane $165

My wife got this for my Christmas present last year. It's pricey at $165, but this is a heirloom quality tool that I will pass down to my kids. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to use this block plane! It's weighted perfectly and the wood shavings are so crisp. This tool will be a delight for any woodworker, finish carpenter, or home handyman on your list. It has more uses than any other plane I own, and I absolutely love to use it.

7. Canon 70d DSLR with Advanced Video capability $$$$

My new best friend! Canon 70d

Ok, so this is a bit expensive but everybody needs a stretch gift right? This Canon 70d is $1200 with the kit lens but it has really taken my blog and video shoot up about three notches! This is the first digital SLR to have true autofocus while shooting video. Any cheap camcorder can do this, but until now every DSLR has had terrible autofocus while in Liveview (with the mirror up). I've had mine for about 3 months now and it's been fantastic. I came from an older Nikon D90 and I shot video with a $300 Panasonic camcorder, so this is quite a step up for me. The beauty of video through a DSLR is the amazing lenses. A small camcorder can't produce the wide angle shots that my Canon 70d can. I have alot to learn, but this was my Christmas gift to myself this year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
Best,
Matt Risinger

- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

Rheem's new Prestige Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater Model HB50RH

I'm researching Heat Pump Water Heaters again because I'm building a lake house for a client in an all-electric area and I want to recommend the current best model. The last time I was building in this situation I used the older model Rheem Heat Pump Water Heater called the HP50. This was when Heat Pump Water Heaters had just entered the market and it seemed like a perfect solution for an efficient house on the lake. We ran water to a standard electric 50 gallon tank first that could be OFF most of the time, then to the Rheem HPWH. The idea was that the clients would only use the Rheem when it was two of them there, but when company was coming they could turn on the 50 gallon electric tank to have 100 gallons of standing hot between the two tanks. I made this Video in 2010 about that install if you care to see more about this older model Rheem.

Rheem HP50 still going strong after almost 5 years.

I gave them two switches inside the house to turn on/off the primary and backup units as needed based on house occupancy.

Main= Rheem HP50 Aux=Standard Electric 50 gal tank

Rheem HP50 still going strong after 4 years in this crawlspace.

So, 4 years later this plan seems to be working well. The only downside to this setup is that with 50 gallons in the HPWH and set to Heat Pump only mode you are limited on hot water output. If you fill a tub with water, then you've got a very short window for a shower before you run into cold water. This is do-able with two people in the house, but with a family of 3+ I could see this running out of hot frequently.
The NEW Rheem Prestige Hybrid HB50RH model.
They've upgraded the BTU capacity of the Heat Pump so this new shiny silver model has a 8700 BTU HP inside (almost 3/4 Ton of cooling!). That means that the new model will go from cold water to hot much faster than before, and should be a bit faster than most other models I've seen on the market. See this Link for their spec sheet. It also has a pretty wide operation range on the heat pump from 37-120 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that the hotter the environment the more efficiently this unit will operate. For us Southerners, I highly recommend using this inside your garage, OR even better inside your house so you can benefit from the cool/dry exhaust air!
Efficiency:
This new model is VERY efficient with an EF rating of 2.45! (I believe the old model was rated at 2.0 EF) Most electric tank water heaters are around .85-.90 ER ratings so this unit is going to save hundreds of dollars annually vs a standard electric resistance water heater. I'm fairly certain after doing some web searching that this is the current leader among all Heat Pump Water Heaters for best (most efficient) EF rating.
Lastly, they have updated the control module on this unit with some cool features. It has a vacation mode you can set the unit to idle for 2-28 days. That could be very handy for people who travel frequently. It could be set to off for 2 weeks then turn on the day of your arrival!
Downsides:
#1 I wish this unit had a bigger capacity tank. I recently installed a AirGenerate ATI66 (video review link) in a clients house and he's even having capacity issues with the 66 gallon model. He does have two young kids who bath in a tub and he showers within 30 minutes of their bathtime however. I think that 50 gallons can work with a family of 2, but you will possibly need to think about spacing out hot water use.
#2 This is minor, but I wish the Rheem had a way to pipe the input/exhaust air like AirGenerate does.

AirGenerate ATI66 has a 4" duct connection for input and exhaust air

Bottom Line: If you're in the market for a 50 gallon Heat Pump Water Heater this new Rheem looks to be a winner. I've found their older model to be very reliable, and I believe this is a very price competitive unit ($1100-1300ish). In my calculations most households can save the difference between a standard electric water heater and this new Rheem Prestige Hybrid in 3-5 years so this unit will save you a TON of money on your electric bill in the long run.
PS> If you've never read Martin Holiday's GreenBuilding Advisor article on Heat Pump Water Heaters it's worth the read even if it's slightly outdated. Link here.

Best,
Matt Risinger

- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

There are 4 things every house needs to control (in order of importance):

Water
Air
Vapor
Thermal

The building codes have dictated the Thermal/Vapor Control that builders must adhere to, and nearly every builder in the US knows off the top of their head the R-value of the insulation in their walls/attics. But, until recently the building codes haven't addressed air control. The 2012 IRC now dictates that builders in my climate zone need to achieve a Blower Door test of 5ACH50 which is actually pretty tight and will make quite a few builders need to research air sealing methods in order to truly reach this level of air-tightness. As an aside, it's interesting that codes barely touch on water control which is of course the most important control layer on any house. What difference does it make what R-value your wall has if water is getting into that wall through a leaky window, or a poorly sealed plumbing or hvac penetration?
So, in my quest to build ever tighter houses I've decided that my goal is for every house I build to get as close to 1ACH50 as possible. Not every house I build will get to this standard as I'm sometimes limited by the Architecture on the weather-stripping of exterior doors. I've found that sliding glass doors, custom doors, "store front", and other Architecturally cool doors can really kill my blower door tests.
If you've followed my blog, I've used a ton of different methods to air seal inside a house. Spray foam, Owens Corning Energy Complete, Caulking, etc. Using these methods I've been able to get most houses below 2.5ACH50. But, to reach that goal of 1ACH50 I've decided to take a page from the PassiveHouse playbook and tape my exterior sheathing seams. In reading Martin Holiday's "Tape Test" article from March 2013 Fine Homebuilding, I thought that Siga Wigluv was the clear winner as the best tape for OSB sheathing seams. Martin's article says that it's best to use a primer and I fully agree. I bought my Siga tape online from SmallPlanetWorkshop.com along with the Siga accessories. I also recommend using a J-Roller to roll out the tape and ensure good adhesion. Here's some photos of the install process:

All OSB Sheating with a bottom 2' course of Pressure Treated Plywood

I use Carlisle CCW 705 on the bottom 12" to ensure this vulnerable area is protected.

The CCW 705 runs over the concrete slab by 1-2" to air seal and move water away from the sheathing. Notice the dark primer before adhering the peel & stick CCW 705.

Siga Wigluv 60 (2.25") tape, Dockskin primer, Siga tape dispenser, and J-Roller to ensure a tight install.

This tape is expensive, but you get what you pay for. It sticks tenaciously!

Carpenter using a mini-roller to apply the Dockskin primer to the OSB seams prior to taping.

Siga Wigluv on the PT Plywood to OSB seam.

Almost fully taped...

Tape is completed and the whole house gets DuPont Tyvek Commercial Drainwrap as the WRB over the OSB.

I made two videos of the Siga Tape. This first video is my impressions and a good destructive test.

This next video is the more complete version showing the install process.

Unfortunately, I've been waiting on the rear and front doors for this house so I've not been able to perform the blower door test! I'm expecting this house to get very close to my goal of 1ACH50! I'll post and update to this blog post once I get the results. Overall, I'm really happy with this Siga Tape and I think this method is superior from an Best Practice standpoint on that list of Control Layers.

Best,
Matt Risinger

- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

I've used alot of waterborne floor finishes over the years but my favorites are the ones made by BONA. See my past reviews on Bona Traffic, and Bona Naturale .
Here's the background on this project. It's a remodeled 1960's house with Architecture by Webber + Studio Architects here in Austin, TX. This is a solid 3/4" Pecan floor nailed to 3/4" plywood over a vapor barrier on a concrete slab. We laid the floor with raw wood then sanded just the edges of the floor where base molding would hit the floor (in order to eliminate shoe molding we install floors THEN base).

We install hardwood floors shortly after sheet rock is completed.

We condition the house post-floor install to keep the moisture content of the wood consistent. RH of the house should be maintained under 60%. I use portable AC's in the summer along with Dehumidifiers to keep the RH below 60%.

Bona Mega is about 30% less costly than Bona Traffic and is easier to work with because it's a one part poly (no mixing).

One coat of Bona Mega and this Pecan floor is looking fantastic. I like the Satin finish, not too shiny, not too matte/dull.

Hard to capture on camera the gloss level of Satin. It's my favorite finish. Notice the floors are finished before cabinet install.

And here's the finished floor ready for move-in. This picture represents the satin sheen well.

Notice the white base landing on the floor with no shoe moldings.

In conclusion, I'm a fan of Bona Mega. This product has performed well, has a durable finish, and has the right sheen level. The house with these photos was completed 2 years ago now and it's still looking fantastic. I would highly recommend this product for your wood floor project.
Special thanks to Kristynik Hardwood floors who did a terrific job on this project.

Best,
Matt Risinger

- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

I am a huge fan of hardwood floors. I think that a true hardwood floor that's been sanded and finished onsite is the best choice for a floor inside a custom home. I've remodeled a lot of houses and re-used their 100 year old flooring, there isn't any other floor choice I can think of that would be saved and reused 100 years in the future. The most common choice for hardwoods in the houses I build has been White Oak, so when I found out the Architect (Scott Ginder with Dick Clark Architects) had specified Mesquite; I knew I needed to video the process.
Here's a few teaser images of the finished house first:

The Big Ass Haiku fan in the living room has been a hit with my clients. http://www.haikufan.com

My crew built these White Oak wine room doors.

The dark anodized aluminum framed Gerkin Rhino windows look great with this floor.

Rift Sawn White Oak cabinets and Carrera Marble counter tops complement the Mesquite floors well!

The Mesquite stairs are stunning, and the metal work is pretty spectacular too!

Here's a link to the Hygrometer shown in the video that we use to monitor humidity.

And this is my favorite job site dehumidifier the Quest Powerdry 4000 Pro that we use to control job site humidity.

Lastly, a big thanks to Hardwood Designs who supplied, sanded, and finished this floor! Amazing work guys!

Best,
Matt Risinger

- Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

Risinger Homes is a custom builder and whole house remodeling contractor that specializes in Architect driven and fine craftsmanship work. We utilize an in-house carpentry staff and the latest building science research to build dramatically more efficient, healthy and durable homes.
Be sure to check out my video blog on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter @MattRisinger

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