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3398 Washington Road
Atlanta, GA 30344
USA

773.398.5288

Advanced residential construction and home improvement consulting and owner's advocacy in Atlanta, using the latest building performance diagnostic and modeling techniques and tools. Airtightness, insulation, HVAC, ventilation, moisture, and air quality and EMF consulting for homeowners and building professionals alike.

Videos/Podcasts/Articles

Home performance articles and stories from the field with internationally respected building forensics guru Corbett Lunsford at the Building Performance Workshop. Hear new episodes of the Building Performance Podcast, see new videos from the Home Performance YouTube channel, and learn all about how diagnostic testing (more than an 'Energy Audit') can make home improvement and new home construction a proven process!

Filtering by Category: Ecologic

Gas Stove Reality Check: Why Banning Gas Cooking is Not the Whole Story

Corbett Lunsford

As we've learned, and continue to learn, from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's 'HOMEChem' and 'CASA' experiments (https://indoorchem.org/projects/), the chemistry, microbiology, and physics of the indoors is complicated. That's why doing something 'nice' like banning the manufacture or sale of gas cooking ranges might be a misguided step that'll make regulators feel good, but leave us hanging on a TON of other side effects that are still not addressed.

Learn to select and install a kitchen exhaust hood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y08HOnzafM8

See our ultimate kitchen exhaust system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMkvCn1sGvk

See Broan's SmartSense Infrared Heat Sensing range hoods: https://bestrangehoods.com/product/built-in/hbn1246ss

See AirCycler's RangeRelief make up air controller: https://www.aircycler.com/products/rangerelief

Toss Your Black Plastic Kitchen Cookware: It May Have Lead and Flame Retardants Built In

Corbett Lunsford

We talked with University of Toronto researcher Miriam Diamond, and she dropped this bomb. This is not a drill, or a joke. Researchers found LEAD and FLAME RETARDANTS leaching from black plastic cookware of all types, brands, and prices. You simply cannot know if they made it black to hide recycled content or not, and the plastic they use comes partly from recycled electronics- hence the chemicals. We hope you share this tidbit with everyone you know- the manufacturers too please.

Mythbusting a Miracle Cooling Machine: Basically a Sped Up Sweat Box- Arctic Air Pure Chill Review

Corbett Lunsford

This 'Arctic Air' Pure Chill machine is trying to sell itself as an air conditioner, but it's actually a cleverly disguised evaporative humidifier, like you'd use in an old house in wintertime. Ridiculous. Here's a bit of testing and science fundamentals to help you avoid re-branding and other marketing tricks in your home. For the testing, I used the temperature/humidity datalogger HOBO MX1101.

The Future of House Wrap: a Stronger, Insulated, and More Airtight Envelope

Corbett Lunsford

At the Tallwood Design Institute at Oregon State University, we found a mockup built by our friend Mark Fretz, whom you'll be hearing more from. This is an experimental use of Mass Plywood Panels (MPP) and wood-fiber insulation for multifamily buildings and other homes.

One note: they don't seem to have termites up there, so this would be extra experimental around Atlanta, where we certainly do have burrowing insects of all kinds. Season 3 of 'Home Diagnosis' coming soon: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Join our members and become part of the making of this show: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Why Bleach and Sanitizer is NOT the Answer: the Human Microbiome in 1 Minute

Corbett Lunsford

If you only take 60 seconds of microbiology training, this should be it. Thanks to the amazing experts Marina Vance (https://www.colorado.edu/lab/vance/marina-vance) and Rob Dunn (https://robdunnlab.com), and James Weiss for the stellar microphotography (https://www.youtube.com/c/JamsGerms/featured).

See the whole 'Home Diagnosis' series at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Become a member and help us go deeper exploring the science of homes: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Cleaning in America: Science and Side Effects of Vacuums and Spray Cleaners

Corbett Lunsford

"Cleaning" in 21st century America involves a lot of mechanics, chemistry, and microbiology- and our complex cleaning protocols have many side effects that you might not have considered before. Here's a quick demonstration of what cleaning means for your home's invisible dynamics and the health of your family.

Watch the full episode at: https://homediagnosis.tv/episode-210-headaches-of-homechem

Become a member and help us keep exploring the science of homes: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

3 Acre Permaculture Design: Species List, Planting Map, Timeline, and Budget

Corbett Lunsford

https://youtu.be/8NyKSkx7yPA

Now that Grace's journey learning the science of landscaping in the mastermind permaculture course Regenerative Backyard Blueprint (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IynM_7gPBfg), and the extensive site visit and measurement process by Shades of Green (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o9YfuWwjko), the final grand plan is ready! Review the species, planting arrangement, timeline and budget ideas for our 3 acre property in Atlanta, GA with Rebecca Baxter of Shades of Green Permaculture.

Check out Shades of Green's mastermind course and their consulting: https://shadesofgreenpermaculture.com/

Learn more about this homestead: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq4YgAoFaG-F6xvGT1MKwt-u

Learn more about our TinyLab: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsc2-5fAgMq51-6Gwm3m7HXjRhgt9X7RK

#shadesofgreenpermaculture #permaculture #permacultureatlanta #growdontmow #pollinators #pollinator #pollinatorgarden #pollinatorfriendly #pollinatorhabitat #pollinatorparade #pollinatorswelcome #pollinatorsandflowers #organicgardening #organicgarden #organicgardener #organicgardeningmethods #organicgardens

How Perfect Can a New Home's Chemistry Get? Healthy Indoors Minute

Corbett Lunsford

Even with their newly-finished home still obviously off-gassing, and with a massive amount of wood finishes and structural materials certainly emitting formaldehyde, this high performance forever home is testing like a decades-old, well-established house as told by chemist Alice Delia of Prism Analytical. Through the selection of low-emitting materials where possible AND 24/7 ventilation of the spaces, the Lunsfords have achieved their goal of a sanctuary with limited chemistry.

Learn a ton more at: http://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

Subscribe to Healthy Indoors Magazine and join the community: http://HealthyIndoors.com

Test your own home: http://pati-air.com

Air On Fire: Mindblowing Picture of Your Home's Indoor Chemistry

Corbett Lunsford

It's hard to believe in something you can't see, so let us show it to you. Learn the most basic facts about the chemistry of the air around your face, every minute of every day of your life. Thanks to our 18 show sponsor companies and three dozen Patreon supporters for making this show season possible. Help support our work at: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV See the show at: http://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Permaculture Plan: Surveying/Analyzing & Landscape Design for our Forever Home's Dream Garden

Corbett Lunsford

Now that our home is built and we're happily living in it, we're ready for the much bigger job of setting up a legacy garden and self-maintaining landscape around it. Permaculture is the design science of tuning the ecology around us, and Brandy Hall and Rebecca Baxter from Shades of Green (https://ShadesOfGreenPermaculture.com) are experts in this. Hear from them how our property might be re-tuned to transform it into a garden that requires minimal maintenance. More on this home and property at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead About Shades of Green Shades of Green is a regenerative landscape design, build and education firm located in Atlanta, GA. For over 10 years, Shades of Green has designed and installed regenerative outdoor spaces for commercial, residential and municipal clients that contribute to protecting biodiversity, growing food, medicine, and pollinator habitat, building soil, and restoring the water cycle. Founded by Managing Director Brandy Hall, Shades of Green is a Woman-Owned, Certified B Corporation and member of the Sustainable Sites Initiative. Find out more and become a part of the Shades of Green community at shadesofgreenpermaculture.com and on Instagram.

Birth Industry vs. Building Industry: the Science of Placentas Under Pressure and Unrealistic Deadlines

Corbett Lunsford

On the occasion of the home birth of our third baby, which became an emergency C-section at a nice hospital, I’d like to draw some parallels that are not talked about a lot. There’s an obvious problem with lack of science in ‘doing things the way they’re always done’, and conversely too much test data makes us lose perspective.

Join the Healthy Indoors Community and subscribe to Healthy Indoors Magazine at: http://HealthyIndoors.com