Since the dawn of time the core of human existence has been fueled by fire. Human beings have always loved gathering around the hearth, whether a small fire in a cave 50,000 years ago or the latest induction stove in the kitchen. We started by burning wood, but more recently added coal, oil and natural […]
Dangerous Fireworks – Time to Move On
What is it about our species that makes it so difficult for us to change? Sometimes, no matter how obvious it may be and despite all the logic in the world, it is still not enough. Some traditions are so ingrained in our collective psyche that they are almost invisible to us – it’s just […]
Sailing Home – Maintaining Balance
When I was a young boy, my stepfather and I did a project together. We built a sailboat. It was small but perfect for me at the time. I learned a lot from that experience and my passion for sailing has never waned. Sailing demands awareness and a proper balance between self, the boat and […]
Evaporative Coolers Save Energy and Money
Keeping cool can be a challenge during our hot summers, especially when faced with high energy bills. Modern air-conditioning systems use a lot of power and that’s why making our homes more energy-efficient can be so rewarding. Efficiency can only go so far though, so it’s good to have other options for chilling-out while saving […]
Water-Saving Stealth Provides a Royal Flush
In days of old, even kings and queens did not have the luxury of hot and cold running water and flush toilets had not even been imagined. Modern technology has come a long way since the outhouse moved in-house, but there is always room for improvement. Toilet technology is no exception. I like to find […]
Putting the Brakes on Junk Mail
There are many aspects of our culture that actually do more damage than they are worth. I can think of no better example than the ubiquitous practice of direct mail marketing, more commonly referred to as junk mail. More than 100 billion pieces of junk mail are delivered in the United States each year, which […]
Charging Ahead: Using Your Home to Fuel Your Car
It feels like I’ve reached a milestone in my life. I’ve long been concerned about environmental issues and years ago I realized that change starts with each of us; in other words it was up to me to embrace it. The process, shared with my wife and best friend Marsala, has involved a many-layered strategy […]
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 […]
Keep Energy Efficiency Energized
Home energy efficiency is a very common topic around here. I believe it is one of the best investments a person can make. It’s also one of the best investments our society can make. Home efficiency saves resources, reduces pollution, increases comfort and improves the economy. The best results occur with the local utility gets […]
The Super Bowl of Solar
Competition. It’s as old as life itself. For many, the word brings to mind mega-events like the recent Super Bowl. As big as that mega-event is, there are other kinds of competition that carry much more weight in the big scheme of things. One such competition is the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. It’s not […]