It is certainly the time of year to keep warm air inside while considering winter storm protection for windows. Storm windows can be made of glass, rigid plastic panels, or durable plastic sheets and they can be installed on the outside or inside of a home's existing windows. The cost of storm windows have [...]
Imagine arriving home from work or anywhere else and your favorite room or the entire home is pre-cooled in the summer or pre-warmed in the colder months in anticipation of your arrival. This would not only feel comfortable to the senses, but would certainly save money in comparison to leaving the heat or air conditioning [...]
Passive solar design utilizes a building’s site, materials, and climate to reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling. Windows, walls, and floors can be made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute energy from the sun. Passive solar design helps to utilize this warm energy in the winter while limiting heat absorption and distribution in [...]
A geothermal heat pump, also known as a ground-source heat pump, is a central heating and/or cooling system that uses the constant below-ground temperature of soil or water to heat and cool a building. In the cooler months, this system draws heat from the earth or water and brings it inside the building using a [...]
Insulation is a crucial component of energy efficient buildings. It helps keep buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, heating and cooling costs are 50-70% of energy use for the average household in the U.S. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by the ability of the [...]
Sick Building Syndrome comprises of various non-specific health symptoms that appear to be related to spending time in a building (EPA, 2009). To learn more about SBS and the contributing factors of SBS, please see our previous article. Various buildings across the globe have been surveyed for SBS and studied further. An example of a [...]
Preparing for winter in the Pacific Northwest means more than just buying warm coats, drinking hot cocoa, and knitting fluffy scarves. It also means getting your home ready for wet and cold weather. Winter weatherization is maintenance for your home that can help prevent costly repairs and save on heating bills. Below are winter [...]
Solar power can lead to financial savings in the long run as well as being beneficial for the environment. The yearly reduction in carbon from generating electricity from the average 4 kilowatt home solar power system is equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by half an acre of trees. There are four primary [...]
An Overview of Green Residential Buildings Sustainable homes can offer benefits to everyone involved in creating and inhabiting such dwellings. Residents of green homes can breathe cleaner air indoors as well as save money on operating costs. In the building process, recycled and reused materials can be used whenever possible, which may help to save [...]
An Overview of Green Commercial Buildings Buildings can become green, also known as sustainable, in the design, building, and renovating stages. Green buildings are resource-efficient and the overall impact to the environment is reduced. Operating expenses are lowered, plus employees and visiting clients benefit from greater air quality. Qualities of green commercial buildings include: [...]
