Building Science and Home Performance

a picture of three cartoon homes with solar panels on the roofs, with white exterior walls and green roofs

How Long Do Mini-Split Heat Pumps Last? (And Warranties)

Mini-splits are a significant investment—the average system costs thousands of dollars. You may be wondering whether it will save you money in the long run and, if so, how long the payback period will likely be. Before you can determine this, you must understand the typical life expectancy of a mini-split, its upfront cost, and how much it costs to run.

Hurricane Shutters vs. Windows (What’s the Difference?)

If you live in a hurricane-prone state, the homes in your area are usually built differently than in states where hurricanes are rarer or nonexistent. For example, your house might come equipped with hurricane windows or hurricane shutters. Both of these technologies protect homeowners from the destructive forces of a hurricane. However, there are distinct differences between the two.