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83Earth Friendly Countertops
by Elle MacKenna
Countertops can add tremendous impact to your home’s interior décor. At the same time, the manufacturing can have a negative impact on the environment. These days the countertop industry is teeming with creative products that offer Earth-friendly options without sacrificing style. published 14 months ago
82Healthy, Green Insulation Choices
by Elle MacKenna
(Photo: Yucel Tellici) With materials like soy and mushrooms, today’s green insulation choices can sound more like ingredients for stir fry rather than the components of an energy-efficient home.... published 14 months ago
82Green Roofs: Energy Savings and Much More
by Elle MacKenna
Most green roofs in the United States are on large-scale commercial or public buildings but the residential market is catching up. Green roofs can be installed on traditional residences providing homeowners with a beautiful way to cut down their heating and cooling costs. published 17 months ago
82Sell Solar Power Into Your Grid and Make Money
by Elle MacKenna
A recent New York Times article blasted solar energy systems as making “no economic sense.” The truth: solar photovoltaic systems aren’t cheap but they do payback. Sales of solar photovoltaic systems have been rising up to 50% annually in some states and it’s not just environmental do-gooders who are investing in the renewable energy. For many homeowners, solar energy is about dollars and cents. published 16 months ago
80Costs and Benefits of Low Solar Gain Windows
by Elle MacKenna
The shading capacity of low solar gain windows makes them useful in southern climates that have long cooling seasons. While solar gain is just one of many factors that determine a window’s energy performance, understanding the principles, costs and proper applications of low solar gain windows can help you save energy and money...read more published 17 months ago
80How the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Can Lower Your Energy Bills
by Elle MacKenna
An energy efficient home provides lifelong savings. Unfortunately, most homes in the United States are not operating at their maximum energy performance. One of the best ways to improve your home's energy efficiency and lower your energy bills is with a professional home energy rating...here's how published 17 months ago
76Is Bamboo a Sustainable Building Material?
by Elle MacKenna
Bamboo flooring has gained considerable attention in sustainable design because it is a hardy, durable product from a renewable resource which helps deter harvesting of old-growth forests for wood products. However, production of bamboo flooring has social impacts on labor, requires transit energy, contains little to no recycled material, can negatively impact ecosystems and can have a negative affect on indoor air quality. published 14 months ago
76Sound Insulation Options for Homes and Apartments
by Elle MacKenna
Noise pollution is an often overlooked environmental problem. Disturbance from unwanted sound can affect human health and performance, as well as disrupt wildlife. At home, sound insulation is an important... published 12 months ago
76Healthy, Modern Alternatives to Chemically Treated Pools
by Elle MacKenna
Chlorinated pools have been the standard in the United States, an industrial solution to the nasty natural bacteria and pathogens that breed in untreated water. Although chlorine systems are still embraced by many homeowners, healthier pool cleaning processes offer chlorine-free options...read more published 17 months ago
75Choosing Sustainable Kitchen Cabinets
by Elle MacKenna
I find cabinetmakers to be among the most skilled and engaged tradespeople. In the green building industry this quality is elevated with creative and innovative techniques for harvesting and crafting wood... published 14 months ago
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