Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1998, is a set of green housing rating systems that determine how well building owners use eco-friendly construction. Builders hope to be LEED certified by scoring well in six areas; site sustainability, water efficiency, optimum use of energy and […]

To save energy and reduce the unit size of your air conditioner, consider the following six ways for bringing air ducts inside: 1) simply movie them in and leave them exposed. 2) Condition the attic by moving the building enclosure to the roofline. 3) Carefully place the ducts in a lowered ceiling or soffit in […]

Yamhill, Oregon is home to the only single-family home on the globe to boast all three prestigious green building certifications. The Karuna house features key, noteworthy characteristics: 1) the house includes an optimal enclosure and solar design to help maintain low energy levels. 2)Ecologically compliant concrete poured onto expanded polystyrene geofoam forms the foundation. 3) […]

California Contractor Mike  Hartrich wanted to find ways to assist his fellow tradesmen win back customers after the recession. His Santa Cruz Construction Guild website is local and well-regarded, serving more than 200,000 people, and focused on small, family-owned business, rather than outside corporate interests. Hartrich provides pertinent advertising on the site for guild members, […]

Despite recent trend reports regarding home construction, the “tiny house movement” is growing. An increasing number of  Americans buyers reject the bigger is better mentality in a post-recession housing market. Since the market is favoring higher income buyer currently anyway, small homes with minimal financing seem to be a viable option for many. Moving beyond […]

In the 1930’s, building scientists examined the problem of peeling paint across America. The most common feature of the peeling structures was their use of wall insulation. After some study, scientists  like Bill Rose set forth construction conclusions as they pertained to moisture, addressing the idea that insulation  was the problem.  He asserted that insulated […]

The month of October recorded a decline in mortgage rates, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). That decline was not a reduction of new home rates or conventional mortgages, which actually increased. Loans on existing homes acted as a motivator for the decline and revealed that there has been a rate plateau since […]

The quality of homes builders can build will receive a boost with the help of the HERS Index, now added to the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code. The Home Energy Rating System analyzes a home’s energy performance and offers builders a rating that correlates to their region and climate zone. Homebuyers will have the opportunity […]

Fall weather ushered in a significant decline in United States 2013 consumer confidence numbers. Though the rate began to slow in November, it is difficult to determine whether national insecurity about the government shutdown was to blame or whether the economy was actually softening. More is expected to be determined after the holidays. Surveys reflecting […]

How effectively are green roofs performing? To improve the practicality and quality of data collected, several research projects are underway and may soon increase knowledge and prevalence a relatively rare building option. Green roofs function to better insulate, retain rainwater, and alleviate the “heat island effect” on dark roofs. Portland State University researchers are examining […]