A House Doctor- Building Science, "house doctoring", is the study of how air, heat, and moisture in a building interact with people and the building's parts. Applying  Building Science to the design of a home is the smartest choice.   If you don't use Building Science during the design of your building,  the forensic version may be your introduction. Forensic Building Science is figuring how a building killed someone or made them sick.  Building Science  also investigates high utility bills, structural damage or molds from moisture buildup, drafts and cold spots, and exterior allergens entering a home.

A visit from a House Doctor, before building, may be the best insurance you can buy for you, your family, and the investment in your home. Many insurance companies are dropping molds from their coverage, so mold prevention may be the only way to avoid mold repair bills as high as $50,000. 

Most advanced countries have building codes requiring that the performance of a home be Building Science certified through inspections and diagnostics.  Unfortunately, most homes in  the USA are still built in violation of  basic Building Science.

House Doctors Make House Calls!

Health

Indoor air pollution is a serious health hazard in most homes. Only continuous mechanical ventilation can assure clean air in a home. 

Safety

600 families are found dead in the US every year from carbon monoxide poisoning. No combustion appliance should use house air. Furnaces and hot water heaters must be outside the living space or be fully sealed combustion if in the home. Fireplaces must be sealed combustion as well.

Comfort

Hot spots and cold spots are the result of thermal bypass in the frame structure. Proper blocking of thermal bypass during framing or before insulating, can completely eliminate any potential comfort problems.

Durability

Trapping moisture in the parts of a building can give molds, some very toxic, a foothold in your home. Trapped moisture can also cause premature failure of structural parts. Even in dry New Mexico this can be a problem, like the Santa Fe Library. Many insurance companies are dropping molds from their coverage after seeing that mold claims are rising rapidly and repair costs are astronomical.  The risk of mold has just been transferred to the homeowner.

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency puts money in your pocket every month for ever.

 

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Last modified: February 26, 2003