Windows, Efficiency and Techniques

Windows have been around a long time. The origin of the word is centuries old and the original “wind eye” was nothing more than an unglazed hole in the roof that provided ventilation and day lighting. Today’s windows have come a long way since then. Good windows add much to the enjoyment, comfort and value […]

The Next Big Thing: Energy Efficiency Remodels

Want to know what the “Next Big Thing” in home ownership will be? No one can predict the future with absolute certainty, but there are no safer predictions than these: non-renewable energy sources will become increasingly scarce; energy costs will rise over time; and people will continue to desire comfortable homes that are affordable to […]

Recreating the American Home – The Passive House Approach

I found a great book and I’m recommending it to anyone who would like to know more about just what a high-performance home can be. It’s called “Recreating the American Home: The Passive House Approach” by Mary James. The publisher is Low Carbon Productions. Ms. James has put together an extraordinary and diverse collection of […]

Cool and Green

Green living happens when we apply conscious thought to everyday life; when vision coupled with planning intersect at appropriate times. Setting yourself up for success is the key. Since summer is here, let’s use an appropriate example. Most of us would not care to live in Southern Nevada without modern air-conditioning systems. We depend on […]

Passive House – Ultra Efficiency

This column often explores the exciting transformation taking place in the building industry. Green building programs have grown and multiplied at an amazing rate in recent years. We’ve looked at Energy Star, LEED and even the Living Building Challenge. These programs are important because they raise the bar and provide real-world examples of what is […]

Energy Audits are the High Road

When we have a choice to make, taking the high road means choosing the honorable or ethical course over some lesser alternative. In terms of housing efficiency, Nevada has a choice to promote an ethical path toward increased home energy efficiency and savings, or to maintain the dismal and expensive status quo. I’m referring to […]

Housing’s Silver Lining

They say that every cloud has a silver lining. That might be even more appropriate here in the Silver State, since the clouds caused by the housing market have caused more than a passing shadow. However, the sun is beginning to peek through, and it’s shining a bright light on some activities in the housing […]

Appraising Green Homes

They say the dream of the older generation was to pay off a mortgage, while the dream of today’s young families is to get one. In this economy, that’s no joke. That dream is now taking on new dimensions that include managing the ever-rising cost of energy and water. In today’s home market, a lot […]

Blowing in the Wind

Back in the 60s, Bob Dylan sang “The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind.” At the time, I don’t think he had renewable energy on his mind, but wind energy is certainly a large part of the answer to today’s energy puzzle. All across America, homeowners […]

Let the Sun Shine In

I love winters in Southern Nevada! In fact, just about anytime from October to June is fine by me, but deep winter is special. I suppose it’s a stretch to call our relatively mild and brief period of cool weather “deep winter” but hey, it’s all we’ve got! One reason I like it so much […]