Of the energy used in buildings in the United States, 15% is used for air conditioning. A new technology, invented by engineers at Stanford University, may very well help with that. They have created a thin panel that reflects heat away from the building in a way that does not heat the air but sends […]

Let’s say you’re a Swedish green furniture maker and an architect in Australia want to purchase from you for a green building. You now have to figure out how your  green building scheme compares to their standards — and that can be tricky. Getting approval can be a long and complicated process. There is some […]

Board-and-batten siding was very popular in the 19th century, during the Civil War, and has appeared on and off again ever since. It is gaining popularity now. The board-and-batten system consists of larger boards, spaced a little bit apart, with smaller battens either behind or in front of the larger boards, covering the spaces. This […]

There is a demand for transparency in green building materials. The information is there, but it’s not that easy. There are some materials that need to be banned because they’re known to be hazardous. However, there are some materials that in one state of being can be hazardous, but when diluted are therapeutic, like lavender. […]

In Atlanta there is a “cool” new system for controlling the temperature of your outdoor living spaces. It’s called “The Equinox Louvered Roof” and it’s made of durable aluminum panels that are adjusted via a solar powered remote or switch. It can be set for open, slightly closed, and closed all the way which is […]

When it’s time to replace your old furnace, the salesman may offer you a newer, more efficient model that has a higher BTU per hour than your old one. What’s more important than the BTUs is the output capacity. Here are some numbers to put it in context: input: 60,000 BTU/hr. (old) vs. 69,000 BTU/hr. […]

The Melbourne cricket grounds (MCG) is getting an upgrade designed to keep it the forefront of energy conservation. The new light towers are low energy lighting technology. The new plans include revamped heating and ventilation systems, new building management systems, modernized room controls, and a chilled water system. With these new upgrades, utility costs will […]

We all love our windows, but come winter time, they cause us to lose our heat. This happens due to the fact that no matter what kind of windows you have, they simply are not made to keep out the cold. There is an easy solution to this, curtains. With most curtains, however, there is […]

Everywhere you look you’ll see trends for remodeling your home. What’s the best way to go? You ultimately want upgrades that increase the value of your home and improve the way you live. Think of easy access for when you’re older, or an extra room for live-in care or multi-generational living. Outdoor living space is […]

Here are the five hottest trends in the construction world for 2015. 1. Safety has been, and will continue to be, important–without your workers you can’t get anything done. 2. Ground-up construction will be popular even though there are plenty of spaces to remodel or repurpose. Many companies and restaurants want new buildings. 3. Passive […]