Jon Eakes Articles
In 1990 I produced a video for NRCan (National Resources Canada) specifically targeted to grade school children to improve the energy efficiency of the family home. If things look a bit weird in the video it is because the camera was always at the height of the eyes of a grade school kid – you see under the tables, not over them. The brilliant hero of the video is a black & white cat, who…
When I work as a Renovation Coach I do the following: Trace problems to their source Evaluate options for remediation Guide you in your project – step-by-step Help avoid future problems Critique conflicting contractor propositions Find solutions that fit your house and your climate Help point hired help in the right direction Have 40+ years of broad experience in residential building science…
Controlling a hydronic radiator when there is no water shut-off valve. Hydronic heating means heating with hot water or steam. With older systems it often means overheating as well! IS THERE NOTHING YOU CAN DO? Hydronic heating was what kept houses hot a long time ago, and some of the oldest radiator systems are still working today, with new boilers, of course. However, as many homeowners and even…
Two unsuccessful service visits later... I asked Jon a question by email and sent pictures about my furnace not turning on. He pointed out something he saw (almost by accident) in the corner of one picture and that turned out to be the problem! Solved! M Babins ------ Sump Pump configuration Thank you for your quick and detailed reply – much appreciated! Years ago you provided me with some…
After an exchange about hydroxyl air purifiers , Mike asks another question: "What is your opinion on purification units with HEPA and carbon filters versus the hydroxyl technology. I am reading a lot about fine particle pollution I.E dust and I notice that this (hydroxyl) technology does not eliminate the particles although it does appear to neutralize particles. Can you speak to this issue?"…
Gregory in Québec asked: I recently replaced my oil furnace with a heat pump/electric furnace system. I live in the region of Montreal. The heat pump can heat/operate in temperatures as low as -30c. The oil furnace had an air intake duck supplying the furnace with outside (cold) air. I understand this was necessary for an oil furnace. This component is still in place and presently supplies…
Wayland asked: “Does wet Owens Corning Formula Styrofoam ever dry out?” Extruded polystyrene insulation is generally considered waterproof. In fact it was first invented by Dow Chemical for the US army in WW I to provide unsinkable floating bridges -- and has been used as the flotation element of many decks ever since. One day they discovered it was a good insulation. So, if it is…
Research projects by George Brown College, Red River College and Jon Eakes studying pressure equilization in low rise wood frame residential construction GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE Link to PDF: Pressure Equalization final report revised January 2024 -- George Brown College. Link to Fenestration Canada's January 18th 2024 webinar on the GBC final report, which includes more photos and videos on the…
Residential sized units that I can recommend are now available for Canada direct from the factory in Florida. My research and experience have convinced me that using hydroxyl to clear the air of VOCs, kill mould, neutralize mould spores and more is the safest and most efficient way to make living spaces habitable for people sensitive to all these types of air pollution. This is essentially…
Hydroxyl generators are used heavily in industrial, commercial and institutional buildings including schools and hospitals for sanitizing the air, controlling offensive odours and providing that “fresh air” smell without fragrances. They are used extensively in flood and fire restoration for cleaning out pollutants and helping to make spaces habitable. These are not filter machines and…
Jusque pour toi Christian -- cell grab de TV de VHS
Getting oil out of rocks under water Applying Oil Lift Adding Flubber Dust
EN FRANÇAIS There is an elephant in the room – QUEBEC GETS REALLY COLD. The ecological dream of an all-electric urban society is suicidal in a cold climate like Quebec. Extended power system black-outs are a reality of life in Quebec. Every few years electrical system black-outs have forced the evacuation of homes and living facilities to avoid people freezing to death. Fortunately,…
Drill A “drill” is defined as a spinning device that has an adjustable chuck able to clamp down onto a twist bit of just about any size. Yes they still make them – usually called “drill/drivers”, because you can also put screw bits into them. The simplest ones available are usually variable speed (drive screws carefully) and reversable (back out a bit, or unscrew a…
(updated May 2023) -- Essentially nothing has changed in the last year -- read on. As for heating contractors that say you have no choice but to go all-electric, they are either ignorant of the regulations or lying to you. When they tell you that you have no choice, tell them to call their own trade association, the CMMTQ, and get the facts, or click this link . Residential OIL HEATING is being…
Richard writes in: Hi, I could not find this second level question on your web site. I am familiar with the humidity levels required in a home to avoid condensation on the inside on a thermal pane window- we are still getting condensation with readings in the center of the room of 20 degree C /27% Relative humidity with outside temperature of -16.1 degree C. I believe this is within the acceptable…
Video conferencing, like Zoom, is known for head-to-head talks, but it is also a dynamic tool for interactive inspections, remote on-site consultations, and remote on-site teaching. In 2016 I tried to start a Zoom interactive webinar but back then, not many people were comfortable with video conferencing; we were too far ahead of the times. Now, thanks to the pandemic, everyone is plugged into one…
Video conferencing, like Zoom, is known for head-to-head talks, but it is also a dynamic tool for interactive inspections, remote on-site consultations, and remote on-site teaching. In 2016 I tried to start a Zoom interactive webinar but back then, not many people were comfortable with video conferencing; we were too far ahead of the times. Now, thanks to the pandemic, everyone is plugged into one…
Video conferencing, like Zoom, is known for head-to-head talks, but it is also a dynamic tool for interactive inspections, remote on-site consultations, and remote on-site teaching. In 2016 I tried to start a Zoom interactive webinar but back then, not many people were comfortable with video conferencing; we were too far ahead of the times. Now, thanks to the pandemic, everyone is plugged into one…
Video conferencing, like Zoom, is known for head-to-head talks, but it is also a dynamic tool for interactive inspections, remote on-site consultations, and remote on-site teaching. In 2016 I tried to start a Zoom interactive webinar but back then, not many people were comfortable with video conferencing; we were too far ahead of the times. Now, thanks to the pandemic, everyone is plugged into one…