Sep 28 2007
Windows are important to the overall design of a home. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and styles in order to give our home the look we want. Windows also provide us with sunlight and beautiful views. But if you are planning on building a green or energy efficient home windows are also essential to the efficiency of the design. Is it possible to have the both of best worlds?
Sep 28 2007
A room used exclusively for taking off shoes and throwing down belongings is great during inclement weather or for a home with kids, but a mudroom is more than just practical. Mudrooms have also proven to be part of a healthy, green home. What is it about this entry room that makes our homes healthier and more efficient?
Sep 21 2007
Planning to build a green home can be confusing.What makes a green home green?What factors are most important and why?
Factors such as, building envelope, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy, local conditions and green materials have significant effects on the health and efficiency of our homes. Deciding what matters the most to you and your family is up to you.
Protecting your home from the elements is one of the most important considerations. The building envelope is the separation between the interior and exterior of a home (essentially, it is the outer shell). This separation is usually made up of walls, a roof, and a foundation and is an important factor in the home’s efficiency.
Sep 20 2007
When shopping for an energy efficient washer and dryer, you might find that most washers are front loading (also know as vertical-axis washers).
So, what is it that makes a front loading washer more efficient than a top loading (horizontal-axis) washer?
According to Energy Star, front loading washers are up to 40% more efficient than top loaders.
Top loading washers fill the tub with about 40 gallons of water in order to soak the entire load of laundry.
The tub of a front loading washer rotates so that laundry tumbles into a smaller amount of water (18-25 gallons) at the bottom of the washer, therefore, the tub does not need to be filled completely.
Sep 18 2007
Air infiltration is a top source of energy loss in a typical house. Building a tight house is a great, economical way to prevent that energy loss. But doesn’t a tight house trap air inside of your home?
A common misconception of a “tight” house is that it does not have ample air circulation resulting in a build up of moisture and stale air.
For these reasons a properly built “tight” home requires the knowledge of building science and mechanical air exchange.
Sep 14 2007
Note from Your Green Neighbor: Occasionally I will profile little tasks that are easy to do and yield big benefits when it comes to improving the performance of your home’s efficiency and the environment.
A good way to go green is by starting small.
Sure, recycling cans and bottles is a pretty standard practice and throwing away used batteries is no longer a habit of yours, but what about taking it a step further?
Did you know that replacing incandescent bulbs (typical household light bulbs) in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs (aka CFLs) is a small task with big benefits?
Sep 13 2007
Dear Readers,
Welcome to MyGreenHomeBlog.com! I believe that living a healthy, green life starts at home. There is so much we can do to reduce our impact on the earth and even save a little money in the process, but with all of the information about green homes out there things can get pretty confusing.
A little digging will uncover an abundance of valuable information about products and trends related to green homes and green living. I have interviewed specialists, researched many topics, and uncovered reliable sources so that together we can discover what it really means to be green.
I am especially grateful for the support provided by the team of engineering and architectural experts at Independence Energy Homes. I encourage you to continue learning with me so we can all enjoy a healthy, green home.
Sincerely,
Your Green Neighbor
