Winter in the Midwest is long, but you can be comfortable in your home when it is a cold climate house. The following suggestions will assure that your house is efficient, healthy, and durable.

• Thermal insulation over the entire building envelope, including the foundation. This is usually a combination of materials. It should be installed to minimize gaps and cracks.
• A continuous air barrier on the warm side of the building envelope. This barrier holds in the warmed (or cooled) air and prevents moist air from entering the structural cavities where it can condense on building materials such as the outside sheathing.
• A vapor retarder on the warm side of the building. This keeps the insulation and structural cavities dry.
• A continuous weather barrier on the exterior of the building. This prevents water and wind from blowing into the wall cavity where it can cause mold and mildew problems, and reduce the effectiveness of the thermal insulation.
• Energy-efficient, condensation resistant windows. These windows should include a newer technology called "warm edge technology." It helps keep the edges of the window warm to reduce condensation.
• Low-toxicity materials, finishes, and furnishings. Choose materials and furnishings carefully to avoid indoor air quality problems and make your home healthier.
• Safe, efficient heating and cooling systems. Direct-vent and sealed combustion equipment greatly lowers the risk of pollutants such as carbon monoxide from getting into the house when the furnace and hot water heater are in use.
• Mechanical ventilation. A carefully planned and installed ventilation system is critical to assure good indoor air quality. There are many options available to remove stale air and bring in fresher outdoor air.
• Efficient and safe appliances and lighting. Appliances and lighting are important parts of the system.

By choosing the above components, buyers will have a healthier and more durable house, and the energy savings will cover additional costs. The Cold Climate Housing Program (CCH) is a part of the Department of Wood and Paper Science in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Minnesota. It promotes the idea of the "house as a system." This means that the building structure, the mechanical systems in the house, and the occupants are interactive. A change in one part of the system will always affect the others. For more inforamtion, visit Wood and Paper Science.

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