energy efficiency Archives

Temperature and Moisture Control in Mid-Century Homes

Temperature and moisture control in mid-century houses is one of those topics that might seem less exciting and relevant until suddenly…it matters to YOU.

And while our mid-century houses have the potential be properly snug without being too sealed up. They also sometimes need a tune up. Plus a number of trendy, seemingly “esthetic” changes to your house – siding, soffit, or roof changes – can create problems that didn’t exist before. We’ll definitely cover the moisture consequences (yes, that sounds icky) of painting brick and adding vinyl siding.

So let’s dig into some building technology and the broader concept of thermodynamics so that you are READY to handle the most important considerations about moisture control in mid-century homes.

Keep your mid-century house cool with passive solar

40 min readPassive solar design has been around since forever. It just means that a builder makes siting and design choices that use the sun and shade to keep a building warm or cool.

Your mid-century house might be blessed with a great passive solar design or it might have a wall glass facing full west. If you know, you know!

For anyone in the later situation you may be looking for some mcm appropriate ways to shade your over-sunny living room in the evenings or to let a little more light into a shade-locked space! With a smart remodel, you can!

If you can set up your remodel plans to IMPROVE the passive solar potential of your home while also jazzing up it’s looks and streamlining the flow … you’ve got a win win win!

Adding Insulation to Your Mid-Century House

27 min readIs your house too chilly in winter or too toasty in summer? Let’s explore improving your home’s energy efficiency, without compromising its mid-century charm, by adding insulation.

Mid-century homes weren’t built with modern insulation standards in mind. Many of our homes leak heat in cold climates or let in too much warmth in hot ones.

The good news is that these homes often have excellent air seals thanks to plaster walls and old-growth materials, which provide a solid foundation for energy improvements.

Easy Wins for Cozy Living

If you’re looking to make your home more comfortable without a major remodel, start with the low-hanging fruit:

Attic Insulation: One of the simplest ways to improve energy efficiency.
Basement Sealing: Insulating rim joists can make a big difference with minimal effort.
Air Sealing: Check around windows, doors, and outlets to prevent drafts.

These are straightforward projects that you can tackle yourself or with professional help.