Ventilation is a necessary component of any home, especially with how many functions modern HVAC systems have. A good ventilation system will keep the inside environment ventilated, heated, cooled and humidified depending on the homeowners preference. Whole-house ventilation systems, in particular, can affect indoor air quality on a larger scale than local ventilation systems, which […]
USI Blog
USI National Spray Foam Technician Trainer Completes Graco Reactor 2 Training
Matthew Frauenhofer, USI National Spray Foam Technician Trainer, completed the Graco Reactor 2 Training this week. Led by Darrick Grewe, the training took place at Graco’s facility in Minneapolis, MN. Graco supplies USI branches across the country with our Reactors, spray guns, hoses, O-rings, and replacement parts, as well as our airless sprayers for ignition […]
What is whole-building design?
Architects, engineers and project management leaders continually strive to find innovative ways to design and produce efficient and environmentally friendly spaces. Whole-Building design treats a building as a single system. Whole-building design has become the gold-standard in creating a sustainable building design that works as a symbiotic system, fostering full integration, seamless workflow, and a […]
Make your building fire compliant
Fire is one of the biggest risks to any commercial building. It can destroy inventory and put lives at risk. It can also spread to other buildings and cause damage to an entire neighborhood. Because of this, fire codes are one of the most important building regulations for any commercial structure. Here is a look […]
Building Thermodynamics 101
Thermodynamics is the science of how heat transfers between objects. It is both an academic science as well as an important applied science in how to most efficiently heat and cool a building. Here is a look at some of the basic principles of thermodynamics, and how they apply to energy efficient heating and cooling […]
Preventing Accidents on a Construction Site
Workplace accidents are no laughing matter. Countless occur every year, resulting in injury to workers and damage to client and company property. However, many of these accidents are ultimately preventable when employees take the necessary precautions and plan ahead for potential problems. Keep some of these common construction site accidents in mind and remember that […]
Why green building is so important
The term green building, which is otherwise known as sustainable design, is a construction practice that focuses on increasing the overall efficiency of the building itself. Goals include optimizing the way the building uses water, energy and internal materials while reducing the building’s impact on the local environment and human health. Such goals are planned […]
Garage doors installation and effect on curb appeal
Curb appeal is critical when you are planning on selling your property. If you do not have any real estate transactions in mind, it does not hurt to have high curb appeal to just enjoy the outside appearance of your home. Many people focus on manicured lawns and beautiful driveways when they decorate for curb […]
Improving Indoor Air Quality of Office Buildings
People spend a lot of time indoors. As such, it comes as no surprise that the quality of the indoor air can play a significant role in determining the comfort and health of occupants. Commercial locations, in particular, are susceptible to poor indoor air quality. Fortunately, it can be easy to improve your building’s indoor […]
Trends in Rainwater management – How builders use and install gutters
Rainwater management has become an important factor in commercial building and urban planning for a number of reasons. In regions with drought, water conservation has become especially important. In coastal freshwater and saltwater communities, stormwater runoff must meet a certain quality standard to be safely returned to this delicate ecosystem without harming wildlife. Because of […]