Summer is a great time to enjoy gardens and outdoor gathering spaces. Soaking up the sunshine or feeling a warm breeze under the moonlight is even better without having to swat away mosquitoes or deal with other irksome bugs. There are various ways to help make spending time in outdoor spaces fun with fewer swarms [...]
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 [...]
Earth buildings are structures that are made from earthen materials, such as straw or adobe. An earth building can range from a simple garden shed to a residential dwelling that is large enough to be called home by multiple people. Earth buildings are environmentally sustainable, affordable, stable, strong, comfortable, and are appropriate for a variety [...]
Recycling construction and reusing salvaged materials not only helps to conserve natural resources, but also saves money. According to Metro (oregonmetro.gov), as much as 90 percent of construction waste could be recycled or salvaged for reuse at a lower cost compared to disposal. Garbage disposal fees in the Portland metro area are approximately $94 per [...]
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 [...]
The often rainy, yet beautifully green Pacific Northwest has a surprisingly accommodating climate for a wide variety of plants to grow and thrive. Tropical-looking, but cold tolerant palms and banana trees have been grown here as well as plants that require chilly temperatures, such as apples, lilacs, and tulips. Despite the ability to grow such [...]
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 [...]
Neighborhoods are more than just groups of buildings. They are where people live, work, play, shop, socialize, and learn. There are neighborhoods called ecodistricts that have this in mind while also considering resource efficiency and environmental sustainability as well as promoting health and well-being. According to EcoDistricts (formerly the Portland Sustainability Institute), these areas are [...]
