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  • by Elle MacKenna

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89

Quick & Cheap Ways to Make Windows Energy Efficient

If you want to boost your home’s energy efficiency the windows are the best place to start. It’s not necessary to invest in replacement windows to boost performance. With some inexpensive materials and a day or two of work you can significantly cut your heating and cooling costs. Here's how...

1 comment    how to home real estate
86

Sound Insulation Options for Homes and Apartments

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...

0 comments    how to home house
81

Is Bamboo a Sustainable Building Material?

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.

2 comments    home house construction
78

Do Air Filtration Systems Work and How Much do they Cost?

More and more the quality of indoor air is becoming a priority for homeowners. In addition to choosing low-toxic finishes and furnishings, air filtration systems can help improve indoor air by removing...

0 comments    home home improvement house
84

Sell Solar Power Into Your Grid and Make Money

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.

9 comments    advice finance home
85

How to Increase Air Flow Through Your Home

A well ventilated home can help keep indoor air healthy and moisture problems under control. In winter, the biggest concern is stopping unwanted air leaks that suck heat and energy out. It seems that the...

1 comment    home house healthy living
81

Costs and Benefits of Low Solar Gain Windows

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

3 comments    finance home real estate
76

Hiring a Buyer Agent

The internet is providing home buyers with easy access to property listings but it can be tricky to navigate the real estate process when it comes time to purchase. The best way to safeguard your investment and ensure that your best interests are protected is to hire a buyer agent.

0 comments    advice finance home
76

Eco-Friendly Paints: Low-VOC Options for the Environment

Conventional paint has never had a good reputation. It’s smelly, messy, old versions contained lead of all things and over the past decade it’s been tagged as a major indoor air pollutant. Today, thanks to consumer demand for healthier paints that perform, manufacturers are offering low-VOC options that are better people and the environment.

4 comments    home house property
78

A Guide to Selling Your Home Yourself - RedFin, FSBO and More

If you are willing to do the legwork, there’s no reason you can’t sell your home yourself. Plus, the past decade has seen a rise in the number of limited service brokers and real estate marketing companies offering flat fee services to do-it-yourself sellers. Get informed about the FSBO resources available... read more

8 comments    how to finance home
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