During this Earth Day month, Green Sisterhood is focusing on a healthier Planet. I believe a healthier planet starts in the home. Reducing your exposure to volatile organic compounds swarming throughout your house is one of the first steps to a healthier house.
Septic Backup. It Ain’t Pretty. Learn How to Avoid it.
In January, the unspeakable happened. The basement bathroom backed up from a clog in the pipe leading to the septic system. And boy did it back-up, all over my cork basement flooring. For two hours we cleaned an inch of waste all over the floor and bathroom. The damage to the floor […]
Energy Efficient Home Design: The Harpoon House, Tiny but Practical
I love efficient houses. Harpoon House is a 704 square foot 3 story house in Portland, Oregon. It is a certified LEED Platinum house and was built green and efficient without sacrificing the comforts you would expect in a small house. Before you gasp at the small size of the house, note that the average […]
Green Building Masonry Block Solution via Watershed Materials
The cement industry accounts for at least five percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions. Masonry block used extensively in the housing arena contributes to this footprint. Watershed Materials stand to take a huge dent out of the conventional masonry carbon footprint with its low cement block. But its natural good looks will win our hearts.
Wood Burning: Dangerous to your Health. Find Out Healthier Solutions.
When it is freezing out, what is the first thing you want to do? I bet you want to sit in front of a roaring wood fire and warm up. In fact, many US households depend on wood to heat their homes. Currently, there are 12 million wood stove and 243,000 hydronic heater (outdoor wood boilers) […]
10 Green Insulations to Reduce Energy, Increase Comfort
The last couple of days have been unbearable with the wind chill below zero. I can’t imagine what my house would feel like if we didn’t install several inches of open-cell foam insulation. But what happens if you aren’t gutting your house and need to install insulation in certain areas of your house? Listed below […]
Green Home Products I Love at Greenbuild Philly
This week I got my green building geekiness fill at Greenbuild Philadelphia. Let me tell you. As I strolled down the aisles I got that tingly feeling inside that green building was back and stronger than ever. Although, the exhibits catered more to the commercial building arena, there was something for everyone in both […]
Green Design + Efficiency Married in Solar Decathlon Austria Home
The solar decathlon is one of the most innovative competitions in green building design. College teams vie for the award to build the most efficient solar home within prescribed parameters including cost. Two year ago, I toured several of the houses at its Washington DC location and was amazed at the teams’ out of […]
