#724: Simple HVAC Systems, Furnace Flues, and Strategies for Passive Cooling
The Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
4.8 • 785 Ratings
🗓️ 13 February 2026
⏱️ 47 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Chris says home heating and cooling systems should be simple. Colin's friend is wondering how to know if he needs his furnace flue relined. Tom says that building planners and designers should be doing more to make houses resilient in a warming climate.
Tune in to Episode 724 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:
- The benefits of keeping HVAC systems simple
- Furnace flues and masonry chimneys
- Strategies for passive cooling and keeping houses cool in hot conditions
- DIY descaling of boilers and on-demand water heaters
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 724
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | A lot of the things we talk about on the podcast and |
| 0:07.9 | find home building are relatively nuanced conversations, right? |
| 0:12.3 | Like moisture management, these things are not going to kill you, but the exception is combustion |
| 0:17.8 | appliances improperly invented are extremely dangerous and can kill you and |
| 0:21.8 | pretty quickly it doesn't take a long time if you have acute exposure final |
| 0:27.4 | thoughts I think you just did it welcome to the fine home building podcast our |
| 0:33.7 | week with discussion of building remodeling and design topics aimed at anybody |
| 0:37.4 | who cares deeply about the craft and science of working on houses. |
| 0:41.2 | This is Senior Editor Patrick McComb. Today I'm joined by Green Building Advisor, editor Randy Williams. |
| 0:46.3 | Hey. |
| 0:47.7 | Find Home Building contributing editor and production manager for TDS Custom Construction, Ian Schwant. |
| 0:52.8 | Howdy. |
| 0:53.9 | And producer, Carrie Delahanty. |
| 0:55.8 | Hi. |
| 0:57.1 | Please email your questions to FHB Podcast at Fine Homebuilding.com. |
| 1:01.1 | You can find previous podcasts and check out the show notes at findhombuilding.com slash |
| 1:05.7 | podcast. |
| 1:06.9 | Well, it is great to see you all this morning. |
| 1:09.1 | Thanks so much for being here. |
| 1:10.4 | Great to be here. Well, if folks haven't noticed you all this morning. Thanks so much for being here. Great to be here. |
| 1:11.8 | Well, if folks haven't noticed already, we should mention that Randy is on location in southern Wisconsin. |
| 1:18.3 | He was caught in a blizzard, driving back, I believe, from one of Jake Bruton's building sites. |
... |
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