Blogger and home building expert Matt Risinger of Austin, TX sings the praises of the dehumidifier. It is a must have in today’s greener homes with tighter envelopes. Though the HVAC system is meant to handle a portion of a home’s dehumidifying needs, Risinger believes in the benefits of a separate unit,  like the new […]

Breathe easier at home addressing fibers, filters, and air ducts that can harbor dirt and dust. Follow these six tips for clearing the air: 1) Replace the air filters monthly. 2) Clean air ducts. Hire a local duct cleaning company for an average of $90 to $125.00 per hour. Air ducts are usually cleaned every […]

Newly constructed homes are a big deal. Big rooms, big baths, big floor plans. “Big” homes in 2013 are actually almost 150 more square feet than larger homes in 2012. Homes are running about 2,679 square feet today. The trend toward super-sized homes actually began in 2009, when homes averaged about 2,362 square feet. Why […]

There are dozens of projects that will improve the energy conservation of an older home. Appliance upgrades, air-sealing, or tree planting are DIY jobs that get the energy-saving job done with minimum fuss and instant gratification. Other projects, like installation of replacement heating or cooling equipment, require help. As you examine whole house systems for […]

Energy efficient homes are tight and insulated. But what about efficient water heating, after all, aren’t a good portion of energy costs are focused there? There are two ways two go: direct solar heating or a solar-electric (photovoltaic or PV) system. Energy experts are advising more often that solar-electric may be the better option. You […]

There are vital trends to focus on in home design. Unlike trends that steer us towards one countertop or another, these trends will improve the way we live with nature, how safe we are in our homes, and how much energy we use. Federal housing expert Samuel Rashkin shared a dozen trends that focus on […]

The remodeling drought is over and the trend toward more functional and beautiful kitchens and baths continues. According to experts at National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, home remodeling has rebounded. The industry is expected to see a rise in business of over 4.5% by […]

A 5,500 square foot home is an energy monster. Gary Armstrong, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado and koi-fish enthusiast, needed help reducing the footprint of his home and koi ponds. For support and ideas, he called in David Bednarski, owner of Bestway Mechanical in Colorado Springs. Knowing solar and various other technologies would be […]

When snow turns to rain and ice dams in your gutters start to melt, you may be met with winter’s latest challenge to your home. If you’ve noticed damp walls as the temperatures rise, the ice dams are probably pushing water from the melting snow into your house. Remodeling specialist Kevin Wharton notes that "Unfortunately, […]

Comfortable aging in place meets modern sensibilities for environmental living: that’s ROSE Cottage. “ROSE” stands for Renewable energy production, Occupant-driven special design, Sustainable building practices, and Energy-efficient construction, a net-zero energy residence exhibited by Bosch. At 3,300 square feet, the home is hardly a cottage. Its owner, Harold Turner of the architecture and engineering firm […]