#703: Heat Pump Water Heaters, Wiring behind Baseboard, and Off-Grid without Propane
Release Date: 09/19/2025
#718: Electrification, What Kind of Windows, and Uncomfortable Bonus Rooms
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Ian and Randy help Patrick respond to listener feedback about the best way to help clients and home electrification before taking questions about window construction and improving the comfort of a badly-built bonus room above a garage. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Improving envelopes before new heating and cooling systems The right window for a pretty good house Fixing comfort problems in above-garage living space ➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: ➡️ Sign Up for ➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:...
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#717: Best of FHB Podcast, Volume 10
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
In this best-of show the crew talks about cantilever decks, peel bond primers, the model Existing Building Code, post-frame buildings and effective collaboration between designers and builders. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Rebuilding cantilevered decks with rotten joists Evectively controlling peeling paint without full removal The model Existing Building Code The best way to build a post-frame building Effective collaboration between buiders and architects Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us...
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#716: Shop Foundations, Steam Showers, and Sealing a Brick Crawlspace
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Ian, Randy, and Patrick discuss home projects before addressing listener feedback about embodied carbon in new builds and Saddam Hussein’s palaces before they taking questions about building steam showers and the right way to seal and insulate a brick crawlspace. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Reducing the use of concrete in new builds for lower embodied carbon The right way to build and detail a steam shower to control water vapor Sealing and insulating a crawlspace in an old house Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the...
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#715: Affordable Tools, Motivating Trade Workers, and Whole-House Dehumidifiers
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
An anonymous listener outlines their company’s strategy for attracting and retaining new hires. Josh reminds fellow FHB Podcast listeners about tool-lending libraries. Dan asks about the need for smart vapor retarders. Tim shares his experience dehumidifying his house with a simple system. Randy and Ian describe home projects and help Patrick address listener feedback and answer their questions. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Advancement and incremental raises for new trade workers The utility and cost of smart vapor...
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#714: Lead Paint, Exterior Insulation, and Deck Ledger Condensation Control
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Dan Kolbert raises a lead paint red flag. Jeff wonders if a Bonfig wall is better for inexperienced crews. Andrew wonders if an insulated band joist behind a flashed ledger can dry. Grant and Mike Guertin help Patrick talk about editorial and home projects before addressing listener feedback and questions. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Lead paint risks with architectural salvage Introducing exterior insulation to inexperienced crews Does an insulated band joist dry behind properly-flashed deck ledgers Have a question or topic...
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#713: Insulation Problems, Septic Systems, and Slowing Thermal Bridging
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Ian, Grant and Patrick address reader comments and inquires. They first hear about extensive problems with foam insulation in the UK. Then they ponder why septic systems haven’t kept up with the times. Finally they talk about the newest and previous versions of studs meant to reduce thermal bridging Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Poor workmanship causing problems with efficiency upgrades in the UK Why septic systems are poorly marked and lack monitoring technology The newest stud meant to slow thermal bridging ...
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#712: What Clients Want, Heat During Construction, and Enclosure Retrofit Sanity Check
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Doug says homeowners and home buyers worrying about the wrong things isn’t new. Chris asks if reducing carbon in houses makes sense with AI’s voracious energy consumption. Spenser wonders about ways to temporarily heat his job sites. Zach describes his comprehensive plan to redo his house’s building envelope. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Why clients having trouble caring about what they can’t see Pros and cons of common temporary job site heating Rebuilding the shell of a house you’re living in Have a...
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#711: Training Ex-Military for Trade Work, Questioning Carbon, and Where's the Sheathing?
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Grant learns about military veterans joining the local construction workforce with help from the Department of Defense. Josh Salinger and Grant help Brian address listener feedback and questions. They also talk about Josh’s new Fine Homebuilding course called . Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The Department of Defense’s Skill Bridge Program Decarbonizing houses and the proliferation of data centers and AI Boosting the energy performance of houses without sheathing Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show?...
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#710: Windows With Exterior Insulation, Double-Stud Walls, and Basement Remodeling
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Responding to an attendee who wants to share his experience at the Summit, Brian asks Ian and Randy what they liked about the event, and what they didn’t. The crew shares their preferred details for installing windows in walls with continuous exterior insulation and opinions on insulating double-stud walls. We try to help a listener who is refinishing a basement that’s been refinished before. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: The best of the 2025 FHB Summit Installing windows in thick walls Strategies for finishing basements Have a...
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#709: Trade Careers, Faulty Fire Alarms, and Windows in Masonry
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Accountant Austin shares thoughts on trade work. Ian’s smoke detectors are waking him up at night. Will wonders if his windows are detailed correctly. Brian and Grant help Patrick share listener feedback, answer their questions and talk about housing affordability. Grant discusses an editorial assignment that looks at affordable windows. Brian describes his trip to Austin to learn about 3D printed homes made from concrete. Patrick talks about introducing people to trade work through SPARK. Tune in to of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about: Controlling indoor...
info_outlineWill says a heat pump water heater was a no-brainer investment. David shares a story about attracting workers to the skilled trades. Evan has been thinking about the challenges of running wires behind baseboard. Jim wonders why the Podcast is suggesting propane for off-grid second homes.
Ian and Randy help Patrick respond to listener feedback and answer their questions about home building, design and remodeling.
Tune in to Episode 703 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:
- Installation and payback of heat pump water heaters
- The best ways to attract new trade workers
- Can you live a modern lifestyle off-grid without propane
Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at fhbpodcast@taunton.com.
➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 703
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