Ways Your Life is Improving with Hi-Tech
Many are saving money and space by switching to highly efficient, compact, electric tankless water heaters.
Lower Your Cost of Living with an ICF Home
Studies show that construction costs are relatively small compared to the operating cost of a home over a 30-year mortgage. Insulated concrete form (ICF) homes reduce those costs through energy efficiency and low maintenance living.
Underground and Other Unseen Things
It occurs to me that some the most important things about building a home are either underground or otherwise unseen, from utilities to time and effort.
Solar Power International Annual Convention Returns to Las Vegas
Over 18,000 attendees are expected to attend Solar Power International at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas for the four day event September 10-13.
Ventilation for Better Buildings: Is My Home Too Tight?
Say you’re building, or living in, a high-performance house with a well-sealed, well-insulated envelope. Sometime, somewhere, someone is going to ask the question, "Doesn't a house need to breathe?"
High Performance Homes Don't Have to Cost More
Smart builders can make trade offs to offer resilient, energy efficient ICF homes that don't have to cost more than a comparable stick built home.
Celebrating 115 Years of Air Conditioning
What do summer blockbuster movies, boxed chocolates and skyscrapers have in common?
Understanding R-value and U-value
Knowing what R-value and U-values mean is key to following energy issues and to selecting products that best suit the climate zone you are building in.
Past Predictions and Today’s Practices
Fifty years ago radiant heating might have sounded like science fiction. Today there’s a saying about concrete and underfloor heating systems that goes, “friends don’t let friends pour concrete without PEX in it”.
Give Your Current Tank Water Heater a Low-Cost Boost
When a hot water faucet is turned on we expect endless hot water, especially in the shower. But we have all experienced the not-so-hot shower caused by other demands for hot water in the home.
OA Showcase Home Creates Resilient Design with ZIP System® R-Sheathing
Custom builder Michael Anschel likes a challenge, and there is perhaps no greater challenge to a builder than taking a 1920s-era home and giving it new life while still respecting its original architecture.
Historically-proven designs for modern homeowners
The architectural style of your home is what gives it character. Fortunately for today’s homeowner, there are many styles that have stood the test of time and remain popular among those with an eye for good design.
Comparative Analysis of Current State-of-the-Art Heating
Comparing self-regulating radiant heating to traditional forced-air and renewable energy systems reveals impressive energy savings and performance using the radiant system.
The Many Angles of Eco-Friendly Building
There are many angles to building an eco-friendly home including advanced construction techniques, using recycled building materials, and for many people, growing food and recycling the waste. For my project I’ve tried to cover as many “eco-friendly umbrella” areas I can.
Trends in entryway customization: minimalism
There is an increasing interest in minimalist styles among homeowners, and entryway and door designs are no exception.
Comfort and Savings from Point-of-Use to Whole-House Hot Water Enhancements
Most families living in a large, single-family home experience a shortage of hot water when a high demand is present. An electric tankless water heater might be the perfect solution.
Geothermal HVAC Systems Also Provide Hot Water
Not only can geothermal provide energy efficient heating and cooling, it can provide virtually free hot water for at least part of the year.
New Clip System for Easier HRV/ERV Installation
A new bayonet clip system for heat and energy recovery ventilators streamlines the installation process in single and multi-family homes.
Substantiated Success Backs Self-Regulating Radiant Heating System
Electro Plastics, Inc. (EPI) (dba STEP Warmfloor) inventor of the only low-voltage, flat, homogeneous self-regulating Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater in the world, has many years of proven success.
Find your fit: door glass for any home
The entrance to your home is the perfect place to make a statement and express your personal style. You can dramatically up your curb appeal by simply adding or replacing your front door glass - it’s easy!
