tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67118508814588551632012-02-16T13:08:48.124-05:00BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.comBlogger751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-61490879310168034282008-09-23T19:04:00.000-04:002008-09-23T19:07:11.159-04:00

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-40589978563356912962008-09-18T10:26:00.014-04:002008-09-18T11:05:41.253-04:00

Well for once I have an answer for you ! This is Farmer Bob fromBrooksville and I call you a few times a year for advice. But I wish therewas a way to get answers for my problems.On to the knotweed. 15 years ago we had a neighbor with a 1/2 acre of thestuff, and we fenced it in and put 2 pigs in there and after a few monthswe brought them home. Never a piece regrew. Gone forever. No chemicals

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-46672009899397932532008-09-18T10:26:00.012-04:002008-09-18T11:04:16.737-04:00

Dear TomI was a student at UM0 in the seventies, was impacted by the possibleunavailability and very real price jump of oil and bought a little wood lotto secure my energy needs for the future. For several years my sons and Icould often be found there preparing inventory for the next heating season.At that time I read of Professor Hill's experiments with wood heat andbought a copy of his

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-75145274600154359312008-09-18T10:26:00.011-04:002008-09-18T11:02:34.841-04:00

Hi Tom,When insulating the outside concrete wall at my home, should I use the Dowsuper tuff-r sheathering or the styrofoam light blue insulation? Also, doyou have a suggestion on which glue I should use?Thanks, HarleyHi,Use Styrofoam, it will stand up better. It does need to be protected with acoating, but this does not need to be done immediately and only the abovegrade area needs to be

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-20785292213246966052008-09-18T10:26:00.010-04:002008-09-18T11:01:28.974-04:00

Hi Tom,I recently did a driveway sealing job for a friend. I don't have asphaltso it is not a concern for me personally. After I bought and delivered thestuff, another friend told me "I heard you weren't supposed to do that."After the job was doneand looked OK, another friend told me the same thing-so what's the scoop ondriveway sealer? I enjoy doing odd jobs but don't want to waste

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-37823170516938480252008-09-18T10:26:00.009-04:002008-09-18T10:59:01.828-04:00

Tom,While vacationing in Maine for 7 weeks, I saw your article about "oldwashers". Very glad I read it since the front-loaders are very expensive.Also, it made me think about my "research" in trying to find aclothes-washer manufacturer who still uses the lint filter "basket" thatsits on top of the agitator and water and lint flow into it from the top ofthe washer "tub". GE used to manufacture

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-14150790346397693182008-09-18T10:26:00.008-04:002008-09-18T10:43:01.972-04:00

Dear Tom,I am unable to get to my chimneys from the attic, as I am unable to get upthere myself. Can I use the spray foam insulation that comes in the cansto insulate my chimneys from the bottom up?I would be able to do it that way, but was unsure if it was safe to usethis product in this fashion. I use both oil and wood to heat with, ifthis makes a difference.My house was built in 1845 and I

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-64771490433326315512008-09-18T10:26:00.007-04:002008-09-18T10:40:08.439-04:00

Tom:I am pleased to see you were a man ahead of your times, I always knew it.The attached diagram shows where the previous owner ran the pipes to thehot water base boards in a wooden box. The box troth travels the exteriorof the family room in the basement of a raised ranch. This raises aquestion about the pipes that carry the hot water. In a normal house theyare in the wall, I suspect.

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-85930151159074855122008-09-18T10:26:00.005-04:002008-09-18T10:38:20.676-04:00

Tom,We very much enjoy your Saturday morning show and are hoping you might beable tohelp us out with the following :We have a 50 year old frame camp near Grand Lake Stream, Maine. Recentlywe puta new roof & skylight on it. We did not vent the roof ridge or soffits,but are now thinkingabout finishing the interior of the roof with 1 by 6 inch tongue & grovepine. It is presentlyexposed 2 by 6

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-78557377878104929662008-09-18T10:26:00.003-04:002008-09-18T10:33:51.298-04:00

Tom,I respect your opinions on heating solutions within the State, and wantedto run by my situation and feedback. I am in the process of adding on asubstantial addition to our existing home (log home, 970 sq. feet on slab)and am reworking our heating system (currently just a wood stove) as theaddition will have a walk-out basement with a total of 2400 sq. feet. I amconsidering a wood boiler for

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-81389421610828554082008-09-18T10:26:00.002-04:002008-09-18T10:31:35.353-04:00

Tom, One subject you haven't addressed is what those of us who flee to Florida for the winter should do with our homes. We can't use wood pellet stoves,nor many of your other energy saving suggestions. When we leave, we turnthe furnace thermostat down as low as we can. But last year, for example,our furnace used about 300 gallons of oil to heat the house minimally whilewe were gone for over

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-91583883160144563982008-09-18T10:26:00.001-04:002008-09-18T10:28:53.060-04:00

Hello Tom,My house is 24 x 40. I have been thinking of ways to help with the heatingbill this winter.One thing I aim to do, is to insulate the concrete foundation from theground up to the clapboards. This distance is about 18" with 5 cellarwindows, 14x24. I have seen people gluing insulation on the concrete andthe other day at Home Depot, I located 1 1/2" insulation with aluminum oneach side, 4x8

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-38093980372292240892008-08-18T11:00:00.001-04:002008-08-18T11:02:19.852-04:00

Tom,I am trying to convince a friend that installing a timed thermostat toreduce temperatures at night will save money. So far I'm unsuccessful ashe insists it takes more energy to warm up the house in the morning than you save during the turn down at night. Can you give me some info that might help my case?Anton LarsonHi Anton, I believe that unless the house has some really odd heat lossc

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-3486646063009190662008-08-18T10:59:00.001-04:002008-08-18T11:00:32.643-04:00

Tom,Will a side vented Pellet Stove effect vinly siding with smoke stains? We are considering having a Pellet Stove installed in our Salt Box home, tovent past the peak of the roof would be very costly. So we thought of thedirect vent through the wall.Thank you for the advice.Dick in HampdenHi Dick,I have done two sidewall vents and have about 4 years on the older installation, with no indication

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-87475100385764005962008-08-18T10:56:00.000-04:002008-08-18T10:58:34.646-04:00

Dear Mr. Gocze,I was interested in your article on heat savings in the Bangor Daily News dated July 5/6.Can you recommend any energy auditors in Aroostook County?Thank you,John M. StewartCaribou, MEHi John,You can get a list of them online at:http://www.mainehousing.org/ENERGYAuditServices.aspxOr, you can call Maine Housing at (800) 452-4668. They can give you a listing of folks in your area.Tom

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-28644266267291434972008-08-18T10:55:00.000-04:002008-08-18T10:56:49.731-04:00

Dear Tom, I heat my home with electricity, even though I have a FHA furnace. Of course, at some point, the energy prices may reverse and I will use oilTwo years ago, I installed two inches of insulating boards on the outside of my foundation walls, down to grade. This helps keep cold out of the cellar andI am wondering if I installed the two inch board on the inside of the wall, would I get

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-75260164833171973732008-08-14T10:46:00.001-04:002008-08-14T10:48:36.486-04:00

Dear Tom, I recently read your article on electric heat (BDNAug. 9/10) and was wondering if you would comment on eletric thermal heaters such as those put out by Edenpure or Comfort zone.Thank-you KirbyHi Kirby,These are electric heaters, that function in a rather weird way that apparently allows them to use fancy, confusing prose to try to sell you avery expensive electric

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-16197069468749592052008-08-14T10:44:00.000-04:002008-08-14T10:46:36.529-04:00

Hi Tom, I got a question I'm sure you've been asked a bunch. I currentlyhave an older Weil-Mclain boiler,with a domestic coil for hot water, whichhas been upgraded .I am considering an Amtrol boiler-mate installation @ acost of around $2k.It was recently suggested that I might considerinstalling one of the heat pump units that uses basement air and anelectric hot water tank in series .I haven't

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-90258840864761550612008-08-14T10:37:00.001-04:002008-08-14T10:44:36.890-04:00

Hello Tom,You were so prompt and helpful with my last questions that I should warnyou I could become a terrible pest.We have a small and very wet basement. Maybe 20x30 tops. My wife isinterested in humidex. I have seen mixed reviews online. I have also heardDick Hill talk about something called a smart vent. There seem to beothers out there The past fewweeks have of course, really brought this

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-23098505159652751052008-08-13T12:16:00.000-04:002008-08-13T12:17:52.141-04:00

Tom, How about the pros & cons about pebble reactors. I understand they aresafer than the ones currently in use and even new construction of nuclearfacilities will produce electricity at 4 cents a kilowatt about 1/3 thecost of oil/nat gas.Thanks,Richard AbbottHancockHi,This is a great question for Dick Hill, but I think I can deal with it.As far as I am concerned, the genie is out of the bottle

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-30437112768054362782008-08-13T12:15:00.000-04:002008-08-13T12:16:08.740-04:00

Tom:I am contemplating adding a small addition to my home - - a small rusticcape (approx 24'x32') with a standard poured cement wall foundation. Thesurrounding area is all ledge w/approx 2-3' of topsoil. I plan onbuilding the two-level addition (20 x 24') on a slab to be attached to theexisting foundation via a small entranceway. This would place the additionat ground level to access the

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-35531993917114853652008-08-13T11:26:00.001-04:002008-08-13T12:13:12.657-04:00

Tom,I live in a home with a dirt basement. Sections of the basement have beendug out to accommodate the old forced air furnace (now waiting to bedismantled), the new boiler and oil tank and two chimneys. There is stillone quarter of the basement that is still dirt up to about two feet fromthe house flooring. The basement is very wet, mostly due to the water thatflows in through the fieldstone

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-65581131492212461472008-08-13T11:24:00.001-04:002008-08-13T11:26:53.149-04:00

Tom,What is the best material to use for a winter insulating skirtingaround a house that sits on a post foundation? Every year I see avariety of things used: plastic, bales of hay, bags of leaves,tarpaper, pieces of rigid foam insulation, boards. What is the bestmaterial for keeping the cold winter winds from blowing under thehouse, and what is the easiest to install? And what is the most

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-40740967464933953962008-08-13T11:21:00.001-04:002008-08-13T11:23:37.398-04:00

Dear sir,I am insulating my house. What do you use to seal the junction between the cement basement and the wood house? There is about a 1.5-2 inch over hang .Foam has been suggested.For your info. I have brought the attic up to R50, and added 1,75 in foam to the basement and R 30 to basement ceiling. RBHHi,You can use latex acrylic caulk or canned foam to seal

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-15956148206904082172008-08-13T11:09:00.001-04:002008-08-13T11:20:27.092-04:00

Mr Gocze,I have a question on insulation.I have 9 inches of loose insulation in my attic with no vapor barrierand would like to add more [ such as the type that can be blown in]Do I need a vapor barrier and where ? Thank you.Larry Lancaster650 Main RoadEddington, MaineHi Larry,I would add another six inches minimum of cellulose insulation on top ofwhat is there.It is good to have a vapor

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-90981635205860055652008-08-13T10:57:00.001-04:002008-08-13T11:00:59.795-04:00

Tom, I am interested in exploring a coal insert stove for my fireplace to supplement my oil heat this winter. What are ''must knows'' as Iinvestigate coalinserts? What do you like about coal inserts? What do you not like about coal inserts?Downeast Coal carries the inserts do you know of other dealers? Are there used inserts available?Thank you, Robby MacDonald Bangor, MaineHi,Inserts have

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-2653774936943955932008-08-13T10:32:00.000-04:002008-08-13T10:55:28.008-04:00

Dear Mr. Gocze,My mother owns a 190-year-old New England style house that wasactually company housing during the lumber run in the 1800's inEllsworth. She can't live there anymore for health reasons and hasmoved in with my sister. Unfortunately, she can't afford the upkeepassociated with the house, let alone the massive heating bills thatwill likely come this winter. She'd like to sell the house,

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-8086090050954540862008-08-13T10:26:00.000-04:002008-08-13T10:31:24.899-04:00

Tom,I was wondering if you knew of any comparative analysis that has been doneon indoor wood fired boilers. I'm looking to tie a new wood fired boilerinto my existing oil fired baseboard/hot water system. I've located fouror five different manufacturers including Tarm and Greenwood but wonderedif there is something like a consumer reports analysis out there to helpguide the selection process?

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-8121419331268866132008-08-13T10:22:00.001-04:002008-08-13T10:26:14.397-04:00

Hello Tom,The basement of our 1996 home is not insulated. We have radiant heatinstalled under our sub-floor and wood floors, with R 11 paper-facedinsulation between the stringers. Would a reflective product likeReflectix or Prodex be effective or do we need to simply add moreinsulation? Do we need to cover the stringers with the insulation orjust insulate between them?Thanks,DickHi Dick,I am

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-507417387246662862008-08-13T10:18:00.004-04:002008-08-13T10:20:53.915-04:00

Hi Tom,Check out the latest in coal burning stoves here in maine. These will putpellet stoves to shame. Coal stoves have have greater burning times andoffer higher btu's per ton. I think your readers would like a comparisonstory. Check out a dealer in gouldsboro, downeast coal stoves. I have noconnection to them, I have been looking at a new stove and they have a greatsite and heating forum to

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-7512466173986751572008-07-28T12:49:00.000-04:002008-07-28T12:50:45.127-04:00

Hi Tom,Has anyone come up with a good solution to insulate windows on cloudydays and long winter nights? Even with argon filled low e units, thisseems to be the greatest source of heat loss after insulating walls,attic and basement. I was told by the distributor of very costly rollup window quilts that they "are NOT an energy saving device", soneedless to say he was less than convincing at

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-88939077836098299242008-07-28T12:48:00.000-04:002008-07-28T12:49:19.754-04:00

Hi TomIs there any truth to the rumor that you can get 40 miles to the gallonon the wood pellet powered cars made in Detroit, Maine ?but on the serious side; have you any experience with this company andtheir product. Insulating Paint?ChuckBangor, MaineHi Chuck,No fooling around, the pellet car is coming!They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother!The real laughing matter is the ceramic sphere

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-36809991717915541552008-07-28T12:43:00.000-04:002008-07-28T12:46:49.245-04:00

Dear Mr. Gocze/Prof Hill:In May I traded in my old hot air furnace and electric hot water heater fora new boiler.? I burned 900 gallons of #2 fuel oil last heating season,plus paying big bucks for my hot water and thought it was time to savesome.? I anticipate that I will use 500-600 gallons over the next year forboth heat and hot water.? In fact, while I was worried that the oil waterwould be

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-32175964319291325032008-07-10T10:41:00.001-04:002008-07-10T10:43:15.182-04:00

Tom,I read your artice n the Bangor Daily news and I am interested in doingmore to insulate my house this year. I was wondering you could answer afew questions?I have a 1500 sf ranch built in 1962. I blew 12'' of cellulose in theattic a few years ago. The walls are 2x4 except for a new addition.I have looked at putting 2" foam on the outside. I would have to take all my siging off and windows

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-85579790391460171532008-07-10T10:39:00.001-04:002008-07-10T10:39:33.740-04:00

Tom, I have been reading and enjoying the advice in your column along withProfessor Hill's remarks. We live in a log cabin in Aroostook County, expanded and winterized in2003. The original Ward Cabin (20 by 30 feet) has their short, camp gradelog walls. I have caulked every log joint on all but the south side. Therest of the construction (basement living space and a two story el bringingthe

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-15800400224757428632008-07-10T10:36:00.001-04:002008-07-10T10:38:33.419-04:00

TomI have bare concrete walls right now so I would most likely go with 4 by 8sheets of foam board.Is moisture a problem if you use the foil covered foam 4 by 8 sheets? Alsowhat is recommended to seal the joints between the sheets?I have been looking at putting additional insulation into my attic (it isR-38 blown fiber glass). There is a lot of discussion of fiber glass vscellulose and cellulose

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-83079323344972011802008-07-10T10:34:00.002-04:002008-07-10T10:35:42.223-04:00

Tom,I renently purcahsed a Home that was a foreclosure. The home is a large( 3,000) sq ft. post and beam under construction. The shell has beencompleted. The exterior sheathing is on, but no siding. The framing is2 X 4 walls. there is no wiring , heating, etc.. in walls at thispoint. My question is what would yo recommend for insulating theexterior walls to obtain the proper "R" Factor.

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-68592982232734803472008-07-10T10:32:00.000-04:002008-07-10T10:33:22.814-04:00

Mr. Gocze.Years ago a well known carpet company in Bangor sprayed insulation onthe exterior walls of their brick building. Would it make sense tospray foam on the exterior walls of the basement between the groundand the bottom of the cedar shakes? It would be about two inchesthick if it were sprayed to be even with the shakes. It could then bepainted any color to complement the house.Applying

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-51440667672481118142008-07-10T10:30:00.000-04:002008-07-10T10:32:02.915-04:00

Hello TomI have tried the radio show have not been able to get through. Hopefullythis can get a response and I will keep trying.We own a part time home in Jackman. It is a full size house. We wouldlike to shut it down November to May, drain the pipes etc. I know that oneshould not totally shut the heat down in a house with a foundation. Wewould like to considerredirecting some of the heat

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-48384342120909907322008-07-08T11:16:00.000-04:002008-07-08T11:17:39.044-04:00

Hi, Tom;Like many people today, I am interested in buying a pellet stove. I livein a 950 sq. ft. 1994 mobile home, and I think I want a stove that canbe fully automatic, with a thermostat control that can be wall mounted.Do you have specific suggestions for brands / reliability / size, andhow about for automatic-wall thermostat controlled vs. "on the stoveautomatic heat output " controllers?

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-68594237557033263442008-07-08T11:15:00.000-04:002008-07-08T11:16:31.851-04:00

Tom,In your opinion would a pellet stove be more efficient that a biobrick burning stove? Which would be less expensive to run? Thank you so much.Hi,A pellet stove is less expensive to run. BioBricks are cool, but cost about20-30% more than pellets.The real beauty of pellets is the automatic control of the heat. You losethat with a stick or brick burning device.I am uncomfortable with the cost

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-41420152353073119802008-07-08T11:13:00.003-04:002008-07-08T11:15:31.063-04:00

Tom,Lots of folks have been changing their heating source because of theoil prices. My question is - which onepollutes the most/least . . . oil, wood, wood pellets, gas, coal??SueHi,Good question! Depends on which pollutant you are talking about. Wood isprobably the most polluting in terms ofparticulates. In terms of greenhouse gas pollution, coal and oil are theworst, with gas close.The other

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-33254326262791406172008-07-08T11:13:00.001-04:002008-07-08T11:13:40.933-04:00

Hi Tom (and Dick),Your tips in a recent column, Tom, advising homeowners to tighten upagainst cold air infiltration and insulatingfirst, and improving the heating source second make sense. You may havecovered this before, but aside fromwrapping pipes, caulking around windows and doors, etc. but how about alittle more on a little more on addinginsulation to an existing house. Many homes built more

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-83337855613629926162008-07-08T11:11:00.000-04:002008-07-08T11:12:13.633-04:00

Hi Tom,We have ordered 3 tons of Northern wood pellets arriving end of August. Isthat a good choice and is there a chance the pellets would not be good toburn when we go to use them. should we go with only 1 ton at a time. Wehave a dry place to keep themThank youHi,I am a little nervous about storing pellets outdoors, even with thewrapping that is doubled up on the pallets. If they are stored

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-17250238584258115142008-07-08T11:10:00.000-04:002008-07-08T11:11:14.548-04:00

Dear Mr. Gocze,I believe that I may have missed the articlethat you suggested you were going to write regarding insulating basementswithout causing an issue with mold and mildew. We insulated one area ofour basement last year with 3" aluminum coated styrofoam insulation. Wealso taped all of the seams with aluminum tape. Since this area is astorage area, we have not had it finished with sheet

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-13277703577025965022008-07-08T11:09:00.001-04:002008-07-08T11:09:58.158-04:00

Hi Tom -I've got a question about cellars. My 1920-era house in Bangor has alot of dampness in the cellar. I would like to insulate around thesills and exposed joists in the ceiling (above the stone and brickfoundation) where a lot of cold air can be felt coming in during thewinter. However, I'm afraid of sealing in moisture and causingdamage. Any suggestions on how to do the job properly?Thanks

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-60741586298305608552008-07-08T11:08:00.000-04:002008-07-08T11:09:10.340-04:00

Hi Tom,NRT is installing solar water tubes in my new house in Steuben..We are starting toput it all together and expect to pore the slab in a week or two.I calledmy contractor friend about your article on flat tubes being the best fordomestic and he informed me NRT is not using the flat plates and he saidthe round tubes are better.My question is since I am using solar watertubes for both

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-79737409245212556812008-07-08T11:05:00.001-04:002008-07-08T11:07:02.869-04:00

And another thing … I looked up some stuff on the internet …like the averageMPG of American cars, how many gal of gas are extracted from a barrel of oiland how much of this gasoline goes into cars, how many cars are on the road,the average mileage driven by each car holder .. then I looked up how muchmore mileage the average car would get if every car in the US had its tirespumped up to the

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-4586437662028683252008-07-08T11:04:00.001-04:002008-07-08T11:04:24.635-04:00

Hi Tom,Maybe I am spending way too much time out in my garden but I had an idea.What if there was some confined way to capture the heat in my compost pile(which usually runs from 104 to 122 degrees F) to heat my home. There aremay ways to maintain the C:N ratio just by what you add to the pile. Andthese items are all around us whether from the yard or kitchen. What do youthink? I have some great

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-36207994936030017452008-07-08T11:02:00.000-04:002008-07-08T11:03:21.599-04:00

Tom,I own a 1,700 square foot cape that was built in 1999. I heat the housefrom an unfinished basement primarily using a wood stove (I also have an oilfurnace with baseboard hot water as a secondary heat source). I amconsidering insulating the basement walls to save money on fuel (wood andoil). What I would like to know is with what type of insulation andinstallation you would recommend for

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-64184895810711875412008-07-08T11:00:00.000-04:002008-07-08T11:01:29.389-04:00

Tom,You may have covered these questions in a previous column that Imissed. If so, could you let me know where to look?I'm from Hawai'i originally, so know very little about insulation. Iown a 140 yr old Cape in Eastport which has very little insulation,judging from how little heat is retained in the winter. I cannotafford to pull off the siding to insulate and am wondering about

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-87740048210015770712008-07-08T10:58:00.001-04:002008-07-08T10:58:47.981-04:00

Dear Tom Gocze,I have read your article on ceiling insulation in the past weekend paper. Ido have ceiling insulation (fiberglass). It looks fairly filled in betweenthe joists. The ceiling area does have electrical wiring in some areas. Myquestions are: Does it make sense to put in sheet insulation? whatthickness of insulation? I'd also want to apply some sort of walkways forpossible use?Several

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-59568164631489132662008-07-08T10:56:00.000-04:002008-07-08T10:57:21.414-04:00

Tom,I read your articles with great interest as being more efficient is alwaysthe best way to go.Your comments about basement insulation are interesting as I am consideringinstalling foam insulation in my home and am not sure about the best way togo about (type, R-value, adhesive, distance below grade, etc.)Any help on this one?ThanksRobHi Rob,You can use fiberglass, if there is a studded wall

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-49293204954624645592008-07-08T10:55:00.000-04:002008-07-08T10:56:11.436-04:00

Tom,My daughter lives in Skowhegan in a 1988 modular, one level ranchhome, uses 800 gals. of oil yearly, and tried to purchase a HARMAN pelletstove last week. NO LUCK! They seem to be back ordered until next SPRING!UGH! Thus, she has put $200 down toward a LOPI PIONEER which hopefully willbe available the end of August. Question: is this a good or great orterrible decision on her part??? Any

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-17896441847547110242008-07-08T10:54:00.001-04:002008-07-08T10:54:41.263-04:00

Hi TomI am building a new home and plan on using 2 x 8 studs for the walls, 1/2"exterior sheathing then a layer of foil faced (both sides) thermax insulation and tape the seams, then siding. I am going to have thewalls spray foamed with 4" of insulation and then standard 1/2" sheet rockinterior walls. question is with how tight the walls will be with the sprayfoam and the thermax insulation on

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-42261741839598659062008-07-07T10:20:00.001-04:002008-07-07T10:20:55.524-04:00

Hi Tom, I am looking hard at the new Acadia heating and cooling system asshown on www.gotohallowell.com Have you any information on this system oradvice?JimHi Jim,It looks good, especially if you want AC along with heat. Would be nice tosee a little more time under their belt. It is always nice to have theluxury of time when dealing with a new technology. Of course, there is awarranty that will

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-63788676653863814272008-07-07T10:18:00.000-04:002008-07-07T10:19:29.243-04:00

Tom,How in the world do you attach insulation to your basement wall? No one Iask seems to know. Is it something I can do myself?SylviaHi,If you are trying to install foam insulation, it is very difficult to glueit to the walls and do a good job. One exception is to have spray foaminstalled on the basement walls. This sticks extremely well and does anexcellent job. It is also rather expensive.An

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-46482332487559070832008-07-07T10:17:00.001-04:002008-07-07T10:17:53.492-04:00

Tom,I read your artice n the Bangor Daily news and I am interested in doingmore to insulate my house this year. I was wondering you could answer afew questions?I have a 1500 sf ranch built in 1962. I blew 12'' of cellulose in theattic a few years ago. The walls are 2x4 except for a new addition.I have looked at putting 2" foam on the outside. I would have to take allmy siging off and windows

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-67998192814765030292008-07-07T10:11:00.000-04:002008-07-07T10:16:04.677-04:00

TomI was amazed at how little employees of home improvement supply storesnew about proper amounts of insulation when I was preparing to addinsulation to our attic in our 4 year old modular. I could actually seesheetrock when in the attic and all the rafters. I researched online andfound I should have at least R49. No one I spoke to could tell me that. Iended up adding 32 bags of blown in

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-53709610937160190662008-06-27T10:40:00.001-04:002008-06-27T10:40:57.210-04:00

Hi Tom,I have a question about insulating my basement walls. We have a 1930sbungalow with a wet basement. We had a comany dig a trench around theperimeter of the basement, install perforated drain pipe and gravel, andre-cement over the trench leaving a 2 inch slit along the bottom of thewall. The walls are crumbly on the surface and some of the water thatcomes in runs down the walls into the

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-80438174953827799272008-06-27T10:39:00.001-04:002008-06-27T10:39:57.053-04:00

Tom,Thanks so much for your quick reply!Is it safe to turn the furnace off and on this summer - only turning iton when we actually need hot water?Thanks again - love your column and your show!SuzieHi,If the boiler has a coil built into it, it is not wise to turn it on andoff.If it has a separate tank, it is not necessary.Ask your oil serviceman if you are not sure.Tom

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-30210156289798011502008-06-27T10:37:00.001-04:002008-06-27T10:37:53.521-04:00

Dear Tom:What is the best way to insulate suspended ceilings, and what kind ofmaterial should I use? Can I insulate these ceiling without taking thegrid work down?Thank you. Bob TweedieHi Bob,There is no simple way to do this. Ideally, spray foam on the originalceiling is a good way to go.You can try putting fiberglass batts up overhead. There will be voids,which are not desirable, but it is

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-29339901345649956842008-06-26T10:14:00.000-04:002008-06-26T10:15:55.385-04:00

Dear Tom, I wish the BDN would publish a price comparison between fuel oilcompanies in the Eastern Maine area. Gasoline is easy to shop by justdriving down the street and observing the signs. Fuel oil & propane priceshowever are only available by calling the respective companies. I think itwould be a real service to readers for the NEWS to publish this informationespecially during these high

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-84854101961177142782008-06-24T11:07:00.001-04:002008-06-24T11:09:11.035-04:00

Hi Tom.. I have a 2000 SF retail space with approximately 50 linear feetof southern exposure that I would like to supplement my existing heat withhot air solar panels. I have been looking for info online but everything Icome across is either for hot water or electricity. What are your feelings on this.Thanks, JackHi Jack,Check out the website: www.builditsolar.comIt is an affordable project if

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-14468174114290792552008-06-24T11:06:00.001-04:002008-06-24T11:09:52.440-04:00

Dear Mr. Gocze,I believe that I may have missed the article that you suggested you were going to write regarding insulating basements without causing an issue with mold and mildew. We insulated one area of our basement last year with 3" aluminum coated styrofoam insulation. We also taped all of the seams with aluminum tape. Since this area is astorage area, we have not had it finished with

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-72414389402417103222008-06-24T11:05:00.001-04:002008-06-24T11:05:59.159-04:00

Hi Tom,We have oil furnace with Boilermate - 2 adults (2 showers daily/laundry anddishwasher once/ week). Is a tankless electric water heater our best bet?Can the furnace be completely shut off for the summer without any damage?If electric is the way to go, can the furnace be turned on and off in thewinter as well?Thanks for the help, SuzieHi,You might do better with an electric tank water heater

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-31832695211895060302008-06-24T11:04:00.001-04:002008-06-24T11:04:50.935-04:00

Dear Tom:I especially enjoy your section in Bangor Daily News online edition, which Iread every day.Some of your articles refer to your radio show, which I cannot listen tobecause I am currently located too far away, in New York City (but will bemoving to Maine soon).Is there an website through which I can listed to your radio show online?Thank you.BillHi Bill,It is not presently available online

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-68575402133624289222008-06-24T11:02:00.000-04:002008-06-24T11:03:23.532-04:00

Hey Tom,Dan Frazell here again. In taking your advice I got an estimate forsome spray foam for my home. The company is Advanced Spray Foam out ofClinton. Has some pretty solid testimonials on the website from allover Maine. He has given me a quote of doing 3" of 1.7-1.9 ridged foamin the attic and 2" of same in the basement walls and the crawl spacesof my home. My question is, does that seem like

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-1265415740601954222008-06-24T10:55:00.000-04:002008-06-24T11:01:01.981-04:00

Tom,Several years ago before building a house on MDI, I suggested usinggeothermal energy as a heat source. The builder rejected my idea because of the island being granite. Was he correct? TedHi Ted,No. If you were using wells as a source, there is no problem.If you were trying to bury coils, there might be an issue, but I wouldassume there could be enough soil on a given site to bury a

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-18900705744200847342008-06-20T14:53:00.000-04:002008-06-20T14:54:28.415-04:00

Tom, I intend to expand my wood burning from a Regency wood stove in my cellar to an outside wood boiler. It's my intention to heat my home(3000 sq ft) with this boiler. I cut my wood on family property so, wood is free. I would like to put in a boiler that's not going to smoke up the neighbor hood. My neighbors are within 100' of me but, they are seasonal. I do not intend to burn the summer

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-73408134403686078542008-06-11T10:49:00.001-04:002008-06-11T10:51:33.738-04:00

Hi, Tom, It appears that the blackened parts of inside plywood sheathing is "mold" Called the insulation contractor and put blown in insulation on hold. I have someone from Servpro coming tomorrow(Tuesday) to tell me what is involved. Unfortunately all of the homeowner's insurance policies in the last two years have excluded mold, etc from full cover rage. Now one is only covered for a

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-3977160061689753832008-05-16T15:41:00.001-04:002008-05-16T15:45:34.202-04:00

Dear Tom,I am building in a field and the wind blows all the time. Is there any gain with 1/2" foam on the outside with the seams taped? If I do this I am going to use high density insulation in the walls with the paper on it then sheetrock. Any concerns? I know there is not much R value in 1/2" foam but I would think it will keep the cold wind out. Thanks for your help...RonRon,If you are

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-54164549719978350082008-05-08T15:40:00.000-04:002008-05-08T15:41:51.593-04:00

Dear Tom,Read your article in Saturday's BDN. Our two story home is roughly 20 years old. It has six or seven inches of fiberglass in the attic. This past winter our heating bill was about $3,000.00, up from about $1300.00!! What to do? I have been thinking about having an additional 10 or 12 inches of fiberglass blown in on top of the existing fiberglass for a total about 19 inches. Do you think

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-9726557441715986512008-05-07T18:09:00.000-04:002008-05-08T15:48:42.093-04:00

Dear Tom,The heat exchanger of my current furnace has a crack and metal flakes in the firebox, this has been verified by a smoke bomb test.I built my home in 1986 with 6 inch fiberglass bat insulation and 1 inch of foam, purchased from you, over the walls before sheetrock, 12 inches of fiberglass in the ceiling with an 1 inch of foam.The home is positioned to get the most light from the winter

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711850881458855163.post-82598766719373443602008-05-06T15:42:00.000-04:002008-05-08T15:47:23.535-04:00

Tom,Could you discuss the various ways an oil fired hot water boiler type furnace/system could be retrofitted to make it more fuel efficient? Such as replace the burner, add an automatic stack damper, add an outdoor reset control (I'm very interested in knowing makes and models that would work well in a single family house), changing the oil spray nozzle, keeping the heat exchange area clean, etc

BDN Bloggernoreply@blogger.com1