A Fresh Look at Indoor Air Quality

Home should be a place where you can breathe easy, but today that might not be the case. In this special report, we outline causes of indoor air pollution and discuss solutions available to create a safe and comfortable indoor environment.

Type: Special Report

Sponsor: Zehnder America

Complementing Radiant Heat with Quiet, Cool Air Delivery

Electric radiant heating systems have made significant strides in efficiencies and ease of installation, making homes comfortable throughout the heating months with its quiet heat delivery. Now there is a cooling technology that aspirates the interior air for a quiet, efficient delivery of cool, air conditioned comfort for the summer months.

Type: Special Report

Sponsor: STEP Warmfloor

Ductless HVAC Offers Benefits for Building Professionals and Homeowners

Ductless mini splits are gaining in popularity for both new homes and remodeling existing homes. Mini splits – a form of heat pump – provide new levels of energy efficiency for homes. This white paper identifies the benefits that homeowners and building professionals will find when making mini splits a part of a project.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: LG HVAC

Water Conservation Measures Applied to Habitat for Humanity Homes

An ACT D’MAND Kontrols® Electronic Pumping System was recently installed into a Habitat for Humanity home to educate viewers on the efficiency of the water-saving plumbing enhancement.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: ACT D'MAND Systems

Strategies to Retrofit Your Home with Geothermal

Geothermal heating and cooling is one of the top ways homeowners can reduce their utility bills as well as their environmental impact. As the housing market has changed and technology has improved, geothermal heating and cooling has become a viable option for existing homes.

Type: White Paper

Sponsors: Enertech Global, LLC , GeoComfort Geothermal Systems , Hydron Module Geothermal Systems , TETCO Geothermal Systems

Strategies to Retrofit Your Home with Geothermal

Geothermal heating and cooling is one of the top ways homeowners can reduce their utility bills as well as their environmental impact. As the housing market has changed and technology has improved, geothermal heating and cooling has become a viable option for existing homes.

Type: White Paper

Sponsors: Enertech Global, LLC , GeoComfort Geothermal Systems , Hydron Module Geothermal Systems , TETCO Geothermal Systems

Strategies to Retrofit Your Home with Geothermal

Geothermal heating and cooling is one of the top ways homeowners can reduce their utility bills as well as their environmental impact. As the housing market has changed and technology has improved, geothermal heating and cooling has become a viable option for existing homes.

Type: White Paper

Sponsors: Enertech Global, LLC , GeoComfort Geothermal Systems , Hydron Module Geothermal Systems , TETCO Geothermal Systems

Strategies to Retrofit Your Home with Geothermal

Geothermal heating and cooling is one of the top ways homeowners can reduce their utility bills as well as their environmental impact. As the housing market has changed and technology has improved, geothermal heating and cooling has become a viable option for existing homes.

Type: White Paper

Sponsors: Enertech Global, LLC , GeoComfort Geothermal Systems , Hydron Module Geothermal Systems , TETCO Geothermal Systems

Fight the Health Hazards Hiding in Your Water

Even in countries like the United States, clean, healthy drinking water is under assault. Our municipal authorities are fighting a losing battle as more chemicals and pollutants wind up in our drinking water every year. This guide identifies the potential hazards in your water supply and what you can do to protect your home and family from them.

Type: Guide

Sponsor: Environmental Water Systems

Innovative Home Ventilation Strategies Reduce Cooling Costs, Improve Health

Operable windows, doors, skylights, and vents can be integrated in a convective method to address the heat buildup in a home and improve indoor air quality. This white paper looks at these ventilation strategies and identifies products that can help you reduce cooling costs and improve the health in your home.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Solar Innovations

The Importance of Protecting Attics in Warmer Months

The heat trapped inside an attic can cause temperatures to surpass 160 degrees. That means HVAC systems are working harder than they should have to, affecting durability, longevity and, in the immediate term, resulting in escalating cooling costs. This white paper identifies proper insulation and sealing techniques for a home's attic space.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Dow Building Solutions

Do You Know the Dangers Hiding in Your Tap Water?

Tap water is treated to protect against disease-causing organisms, or pathogens, by adding disinfectants. However, some microbial pathogens are highly resistant to traditional practices and disinfectants themselves can react to form health risks. This white paper identifies health risks found in tap water and how to protect yourself.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Environmental Water Systems

Point-of-Use Electric Tankless Water Heating Complements Existing Tank Water Heater

Heating household water is the second largest utility expense of an average home, so it is important to implement ways to reduce monthly water heating costs without sacrificing comfort. Efficiency, comfort and energy savings can be realized by complementing your existing tank water heater with a tankless, electric point-of-use (POU) water heater.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: EcoSmart Green Energy Products

Geothermal to Provide Comfort, Low Energy Costs to Wounded Warrior

In building a new home for wounded warrior Sgt. Ronny Sweger, Operation Finally Home aims to give him and his family the structure for no cost – or, at least, at as little cost as possible. The project builder, Castlerock Builders, knew one way to make that possible was through the use of geothermal heating and cooling.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: ClimateMaster

Allergies and Your Home Heating System

For a homeowner with allergies, being in a home with a forced air heating system can be among the worst places to be. This white paper identifies some ways for homeowners to reduce airborne allergens and improve indoor air quality.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: STEP Warmfloor

Who Says There Is a Drought in California?

Having lived in Southern California almost 60 years, Larry Acker has experienced a lot with regard to water. Larry, CEO of ACT Inc. D'MAND Kontrol® Systems, shares his thoughts on the current water shortage in California and offers a way to reduce wasted water in every American home.

Type: Special Report

Sponsor: ACT D'MAND Systems

Water Filters: Don't Be Fooled by the Deception of Taste

This white paper takes a look at the deception of taste and identifies steps you can take to help ensure your home's drinking water is safe.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Environmental Water Systems

Ventilation and Moisture are Key to Tackling Mold and Mildew

Without properly addressing mold and mildew they can grow fast, acting as an allergen that can cause health problems in existing and newly constructed homes.This white paper identifies areas of the home that are prone to mold and mildew buildup and what homeowners can do to prevent it.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Panasonic High Performance Ventilation Solutions

Today's Residential Greenhouses: Grown with Efficiency and Imagination

This white paper takes a look at how residential greenhouses have evolved to become more efficient and identifies questions to keep in mind if you're considering one.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Solar Innovations

Increase Home Resale Value with Eye-Catching Midrange Improvements

Whether building a new home or considering a facelift on an existing home, there are midrange improvements that you can take to the bank. This white paper identifies some of the top midrange home improvement projects that make your home stand out and give you the highest ROI at selling time.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: ProVia

Effects of the Thermal Envelope on Home Energy Efficiency

What's a thermal envelope? The thermal envelope is, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, everything about the house that serves to shield the living space from the outdoors. This white paper explores some of the building science behind creating an excellent thermal envelope for your home.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Fox Blocks

Health Benefits of Proper Home Ventilation

Today’s new homes are built much differently than those of just a few decades ago. Today, home construction utilizes the latest technologies and products developed to seal the home tightly for energy savings. This white paper looks at the importance of maintaining a healthy living environment through proper home ventilation.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Panasonic High Performance Ventilation Solutions

Point-of-Use Tankless Hot Water Units Gaining Steam in New Home Construction

With the advent of new technologies, home efficiencies and the energy saving requirements by both regulations and homeowners there is a relatively new, highly efficient option on the block picking up steam in the new home market: the tankless point-of-use water heater.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: EcoSmart Green Energy Products

How Heating a Home Affects Your Health

This white paper identifies the health issues associated with poor indoor air quality and identifies an alternative heating approach that creates a healthier indoor environment.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: STEP Warmfloor

Defending the Homefront: Geothermal Equipment Contributed to Injured Veteran's New Home

D.J. Smith Jr. was injured after attempting to recover two injured soldiers in Afghanistan. Fellow residents back home wanted to help repay Smith for his service and sacrifice by building a practically free home to facilitate his continued recovery. ClimateMaster became one of several companies to donate equipment for the project.

Type: Case Study

Sponsor: ClimateMaster

Interest in Electric Tankless Water Heaters Heating Up

Water heater manufacturers have a choice in re-designing their products: either increase the size of the tank to allow for more insulation to meet new standards or reduce the water storage capacity. This white paper explores why electric tankless water heaters are becoming a more popular option as energy efficiency standards are being raised.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: EcoSmart Green Energy Products

Stretch Tape Creates Moisture Barrier around Windows, Door and Corners

Structural leaks can expose your home to a dangerous health hazard — mold. This white paper identifies one product that is helping builders easily create weather-resistant barriers around windows, doors, corners and irregularly shaped areas of the exterior.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Huber Engineered Woods

EWS Home Spectrum Series | Central Whole House Water Filtration

The most versatile and best-selling whole home filtration appliance in the USA. And for good reason.

Type: Brochure

Sponsor: Environmental Water Systems

Passive Solar Heating: A New Century of Innovation

This white paper, sponsored by Solar Innovations, takes a look at passive solar heating, a building technique that utilizes windows, walls, flooring and other non-mechanical or non-electrical devices to gather and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter, and reject heat in the summer.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Solar Innovations

Your Septic System: Ignorance Is Not Bliss

Replacing a failed system never comes at a good time, and the cost can be several thousands of dollars.This white paper, sponsored by Bio-Microbics, looks at one alternative option to replacing a septic system.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Bio-Microbics

Entry Doors with Customized Efficiency and Style for Homeowners

A drafty door is one of the most common points of heat loss in a home during cold months, as well as air conditioning loss in the summer months. Doors are exposed to harsh elements, constantly being subjected to snow, sleet, rain and direct sunshine. This white paper identifies insulated door products available on the market to today.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: ProVia

An Easy Installation for Maintenance-Free Roof De-Icing

If you live north of that intangible line where the winter months change from chilly to extremely cold you know what ice buildup on roofs is all about. Ice dams are formed when accumulating snow on the roof is melted from heat loss through the roof and solar heat warming the roofing material.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: STEP Warmfloor

Home Lighting Options Now More Efficient

One of the fastest ways a homeowner can cut energy costs is to switch to more efficient lighting options, the U.S. Department of Energy says. On average, lighting accounts for about 5% of a household energy bill, and lighting choices also can impact the costs of heating or cooling a home.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Solatube

Structured Plumbing Used in Proud Green Home's Energy Efficient Home Project

A highly energy efficient home recently built in St. Louis under the direction and partnership of ProudGreenHome.com, Hibbs Homes, Verdatek Solutions, Curtiss W. Bryne Architect and the High Performance Buildings Research Center includes the latest home efficiencies for energy savings and a healthy living environment.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: ACT D'MAND Systems

Systems Built Homes Adapt to Needs of Today's Home in Style, Engineering and Efficiency

According to the Department of Energy, insulation is the number one recommended choice for energy efficiency savings. During the planning of a systems built home, engineers and local dealers work to determine the amount of insulation that provides the best R-value for a home in a specific geographic area.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Lindal Cedar Homes

Use Duct-Free HVAC Technology to Build a High-Performance Home

A new alternative for high-performance heating and cooling is the duct-free mini split system that offers a number of significant benefits over the traditional forced-air system. This white paper explores the ways in which duct-free HVAC technology contributes to a high performance home.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: LG HVAC

Understand the True Cost of Building with Insulated Concrete Forms

As building codes demand homes with tighter building envelopes and continuous insulation, home builders and consumers are looking for building strategies that deliver that performance without paying a premium. That’s why homes built with ICFs are becoming a popular choice in many climates.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Fox Blocks

Stop Mold Dead with Defensive Building Practices

Unfortunately, mold has been a fact of life in residential buildings for decades. It's cost the industry many millions of dollars and led to illnesses and disruption for homeowners and their families. This white paper explores a defensive building product that can significantly reduce the threat of mold in a home.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Eco Building Products

Stop Radiant Heat at the Roof for a More Energy Efficient Home

If you’ve ever spent time in a stuffy attic on a hot summer day, you’ve experienced the effects of radiant heat. The roof absorbs the heat, which transfers to other attic surfaces, including air ducts and flooring. This white paper reveals one roofing product that creates a radiant barrier, making your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Huber Engineered Woods

Water Saving Innovation Saves Money for Drought Stricken Southwest Region and Beyond

According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, California has 14 communities on the brink of waterlessness. With no immediate relief in sight from nature’s grip on water, and with the water distribution systems deteriorating at an alarming rate, there is a need for innovation and long-term implementation of water saving initiatives.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: ACT D'MAND Systems

Tankless Water Heaters: Electric or Gas?

It doesn’t make sense to let power-consuming objects continue to consume power when they’re not in use. The same holds true for water heaters. As more U.S. homeowners give up the tank, the question about energy source becomes critical. This white paper compares tankless water heaters, highlighting important points of consideration.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: EcoSmart Green Energy Products

What to Look for in Replacement (and New Construction) Windows

Replacement windows, and original windows in a newly constructed home, are among the most important investments of a home. Not only do they need to keep the harsh elements out while keeping the indoors comfortable, they need to reflect the character of the home. This white paper identifies a few energy efficient window options available.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: ProVia

Membrane Bioreactor Systems Provide Opportunities for Water Reuse

Developing methods to treat and recycle our wastewater for safe reuse is paramount, especially as our world population continues to grow and contaminants affect our limited supplies of fresh groundwater. This white paper takes a look at membrane bioreactor systems (MBS), one of the wastewater treatment systems that is making water reuse possible.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Bio-Microbics

Create a Building Envelope with Continuous Insulation Using Insulated Concrete Forms

To ensure a high level of energy efficiency in new residential construction, building standards are now requiring the use of continuous insulation on the outside of a building, providing an uninterrupted layer across all structural members of a wall. This white paper explores one building system that's gaining ground - insulated concrete forms.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Fox Blocks

The Gift of Geothermal: ClimateMaster Brings Efficient Heating and Cooling to Habitat for Humanity Homes

Since ClimateMaster began partnering with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity 10 years ago, the relationship has blossomed into a collaboration that has benefitted scores of local low-income families by putting them into affordable housing and in homes that rank among the most efficient available when it comes to heating and cooling.

Type: Case Study

Sponsor: ClimateMaster

Small Business Enjoys Comfort and Energy Efficiency of Radiant Heat in New Facility

As Bill Kelly of Kelly Brothers Painting began planning his new business facility in Truckee, California two years ago there was one clear objective: achieve the maximum energy efficiency possible. This case study explains how the owner decided that radiant heating was the best option, providing instant comfort and savings.

Type: Case Study

Sponsor: STEP Warmfloor

Sheathing for a Stronger and Greener Home

In this age of heightened environmental consciousness, consumers and construction professionals alike strive to build stronger, greener homes. That means continually finding ways to heighten energy efficiency, while lessening environmental degradation in the process. A relatively new innovation that can differentiate a green home is...

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Huber Engineered Woods

Metal Roofing Provides Cool Cash Savings on Utilities

There was a time when American homeowners, for the most part, simply thought the only roofing was asphalt shingles. Roofs were heavy and hot. Today, homeowners look for attributes that reduce monthly expenditures, have a minimal impact on the environment and provide curbside appeal. These attributes can be found under one kind of roof...

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Classic Metal Roofing Systems

Energy-Efficient Window Designs

New designs and materials make windows more efficient than ever before, helping to save money and decrease the impact on the environment.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: ProudGreenHome.com

Building Products that Simplify Construction Process Mitigate Skilled Labor Shortage

The most detrimental outcome of the recent recession is the shortage of skilled labor. Some experts estimate that the labor deficit has added 30 percent to the average time it takes to build a home. This white paper looks at some of the products that builder are using to offset the effects of the labor shortage.

Type: White Paper

Sponsor: Huber Engineered Woods