New technologies that integrate solar battery storage into home solar installations have finally made the leap to completely meeting homeowners’ needs.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), electricity production generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions (roughly 30%) because nearly 70% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. A concerted effort is underway to quickly ramp up renewable energy at both the utility level and distributed across residential and commercial properties. We also know we can reduce energy use through simple behavior changes like turning off lights and electronics when not in use. When you are looking for
In addition to monthly utility savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy-efficient products and projects qualify for a variety of tax incentives and rebates at the local, state, and federal levels. You can search the DSIRE website for what incentives you may qualify for to help your renewable journey along.
New technologies that integrate solar battery storage into home solar installations have finally made the leap to completely meeting homeowners’ needs.
Are you wondering whether a company that claims sustainable practices lives up to your personal values? Here are a few companies across the spectrum that show how it can be done.
Tiny homes and ADUs foster homeownership. So policymakers are partnering with designers and modular construction companies ensure that these additions to local neighborhoods are affordable, beautiful, and sustainable.
Understanding how ethics and sustainability are connected is crucial to unlocking decision-making strategies—wherever you call home.
LED light bulbs that were once very expensive can be had for $5 or less. The savings in energy cost, year after year, pays for the investment many times over. But which products will last, and show you and your home in their very best light?
Imagine solar panels that can take air and turn it into fresh drinking water for you and your family. Source Hydropanels have figured out a way to make this not-so-crazy concept a reality. Read More …
In an era of increasing water scarcity, the innovations at Bend, Oregon’s Desert Rain house, America’s first Living Building Challenge-certified residence, are worth tapping into.
Artisan eco-friendly lighting means not having to choose between style and taking care of the earth, as brands embrace their role in protecting the environment.
Extreme energy savings Building with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) from Extreme Panel Technologies is the ultimate way to build green. Extreme SIPs regularly save owners 50-60% on heating and cooling costs. The panels can be used as a complete building envelope...
Rockwool—an eco-friendly building brand that manufactures stone wool insulation products using basalt rock—prides itself as an environmentally and socially responsible company that adheres to the highest of standards in business ethics and sustainability practices.
What is geothermal heating and cooling, and what are the benefits? Geothermal heating/cooling systems are 300-600% more energy efficient than traditional systems. They use less energy even during the coldest winters, emit less CO2 into the atmosphere, and last longer. See how they are used and why one may be right for you.
Home building has come a long way in the last 50 years. New standards for improved insulation values and air-tightness have enabled huge boosts in energy efficiency. But these improvements come with a risk of poor indoor air quality and moisture retention. Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) and Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) are air exchange systems that not only offer great benefits for your home and your health, but can also help in saving money from your utility bills.
Ever wondered if the heating or air conditioning in your house is really necessary? Passive House (aka Passivhaus) is a design approach to building that reduces the energy required drastically – sometimes up to 80-90%. In 90 seconds, this video explains how it's done....
Solar Roof shingles are both green and gorgeous. With an integrated Powerwall battery you’ll effectively turn your home into a personal utility! Plus, they’re so durable they’re warrantied for the lifetime of your house, or infinity, whichever comes first.
Window film is a simple and quick way to give your windows a fun fresh look while increasing your home’s energy efficiency. They work by reflecting and reducing the amount of ultraviolet light and solar heat that streams in through glass windows.
A simple calculation shows how you can have a zero energy home for the same price as a conventional one, and keep the monthly savings in your pocket. Here’s how it worked for Bruce.
There is no doubt that induction uses less energy than an electric resistance burner, but comparing it to a gas burner is more complicated. Here’s how it breaks down.
This “Net Zero Victorian” shows that a standard city house on a standard city lot in chilly Minneapolis can be renovated to be net zero in energy with no sacrifice in attractiveness, space, or comfort.
While HRV equipment is well-design and durable, the technology has been plagued by poor installation practices that reduce their value. “In all my many years in the HVAC industry,” says Manclark. “I have never seen anything screwed up as much as HRVs.” Here are the six steps to success for selecting and installing HRVs.
To achieve zero energy, designers and builders everywhere are employing an array of design concepts, product choices, and financing approaches. Because there are so many ideas, it seems appropriate to offer a quick rundown of the most cost-effective measures for getting to zero energy.
When designing, building or even remodeling a home to be very energy efficient, much time is spent on the building envelope, electrical systems and appliances. But did you know that exterior landscaping can affect the energy performance of your home?
Your zero energy home design project will be smoother, less expensive and more successful, and builders will thank you, if you use these twelve strategies in the design process and detail them on your plans.
Don’t we all want to save energy and money? Here are 7 apps that can help you start saving now!
Beyond giving homeowners the information they need to make their home more energy-efficient, the Home Energy Score can also showcase the energy investments you’ve made in your home to make it more attractive to potential buyers in the future.
Currently, the U.S. leads the world for installed geothermal capacity, with more than 3.7 gigawatts (GW). With continued R&D successes and strong industry adoption, geothermal could meet more than 10% of U.S. electricity demand. Here are some interesting facts about geothermal energy.
Passive solar design takes advantage of a building’s site, climate, and materials to minimize energy use. A well-designed passive solar home first reduces heating and cooling loads through energy-efficiency strategies and then meets those reduced loads in whole or...
Choosing efficient products and renewable energy sources can put money in your pocket through rebates and tax credits – but only if you know what programs exist in your area. This tool makes it easy.
Passive solar design is the harnessing or directing of solar energy through non-mechanical, non-electrical means. It is a key principle of green building, often applied in designing buildings for maximum solar heating during cold winter months and maximum protection...
A net zero energy home doesn't have to look any different than any other home, but there are certain products that are better suited than others to help you achieve your net zero energy goals. Here are some examples.
You can take advantage of clean, renewable energy by buying "green power" or by making your own electricity with a small home renewable energy system. Learn the purchasing options available in your area, or learn how to plan your own system and choose the right...
What if your home was so efficient that it produced as much energy as it used? What if you never had to pay another electricity bill? Green dreams like this are coming true all over the world. Whether you’re building or remodeling, a net zero energy home is well within your grasp.
Did you know that on average, households lose about 20 percent of their heated and cooled air through the duct system to the outside? Click through to learn what to do about it and 10 other important facts about saving energy at home.
Are you ready for a home that lives, works, and lasts better? The home of the future - a better home - is available today. Take a virtual tour of homes that are so energy efficient a renewable energy system can offset all or most of their annual energy consumption....
Each step towards a greener home is a step in the right direction. We have great ideas to share to make your home more energy efficient and save you money.
By Christina Stowers, Communications Specialist in the Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program at the U.S. Department of Energy When I say “sustainability at home,” you may already know what that means. You’re probably imagining the steps you take in...
Like a miles-per-gallon rating for a car, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score is an easy way for homeowners, buyers, and renters to get directly comparable and credible information about a home’s energy use across the housing market. Shown in a simple 1-10 scale (10 being the most efficient), a Home Energy Score report can be used to estimate a home’s energy use, the associated costs, and provide affordable suggestions to improve its efficiency.
Good news! There are now ways for everyone to use solar energy at home. Solar is now more affordable than ever and, no matter where you live, the various options for using solar make it possible to choose a setup that works great for you.
Cree is one of the leaders in the LED lighting revolution and is making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting.
Track energy use over time. Monitor energy throughout the month to make sure you stay on track. Set device-level notification. Enable alerts when the garage door opens or the sump pump turns on. Identify sources of energy waste. Find energy hogs, identify your energy baseload, and how much it’s costing you. Keep tabs on your home. Check whether the oven is still on, or whether the drain pump is running.
Seamless backup power. With or without solar. Powerwall detects grid outages and automatically becomes your home’s main energy source. Protect your home from the next power outage and keep your lights on, phones charged, and no puddles under the fridge.
This custom home is a sophisticated blend of rustic and refinement. Everything about it was purposefully planned for a couple committed to living close to the earth and following a lifestyle of simplicity. Affectionately named “The Idea Farm,” for its innovation in sustainable building practices, this home was only the 2nd new home in Minnesota to receive a Gold Rating by MN GreenStar.
The sonnenBatterie eco is an energy storage solution that utilizes intelligent energy management software. It is easily adaptable to your individual needs. The system is available in a variety of storage capacities and configurations, allowing for extensibility and expansion.
There are numerous ways to conserve energy at home, with one of the easiest changes being lighting. Lighting is said to be the fourth largest energy consumer in residential homes, contributing to about 10-20% of your overall energy bill, so a simple change to energy-efficient bulbs can go a long way in reducing your household eco-footprint and saving you money.
By Allison Casey, U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory Colorful leaves, cooler weather, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice everywhere—it's definitely fall! While you're snuggling in and sipping a warm drink, we hope you'll join us this October and...
At Elemental Green, our mission is to accelerate the adoption of green home building and renovation – sustainable homes should be the status quo! And, quite frankly, they need to be. We desperately need to protect our environment. Right now, we believe the drive...
Follow the future of framing like so many other homeowners have! For more than 50 years Premier SIPS roofs, walls and floors have framed homes from the oceanfront in California, to hot temps in Southern Florida, to freezing winters from Alaska to Maine. Decades in the field have shown that SIP homes have stood stronger, straighter and greener than those homes framed with traditional 2×6 lumber and batt insulation.
World Green Building Week (WGBW) is September 25th - October 1st and the focus this year is on net-zero energy buildings. Since buildings consume roughly 70% of the energy in this country and account for about 40% of CO2 emissions, transitioning to net...
Listen in as Kellye Markowski from Energy Smart Homes offers advice for homeowners/residents to reduce their energy and costs and know the best course of action for their house. She says people take a stab at doing the right thing for their home or property, yet they typically do the wrong thing or do the steps out of order.
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