Here’s an excerpt from an article and podcast from GreenBuildingAdvisor.com which provides a really nice explanation of how heat moves through buildings. If you haven’t read my earlier post on Passivhaus design, you can have a gander at that too.
The Basics of Heat Flow
As construction methods and materials change, and energy gets more expensive, how and why we insulate our homes become more important.
Why insulate? Read more…
In “Food Rules,” Michael Polan describes how he found that the more he researched about food, the simpler everything became. It came down to, “eat food.” (Food your great-grandmother would recognize as food.) To me, the green building concept seems to get simpler the more I learn: you think of the building envelope, or the six sides of your home, as a balloon. A house-shaped balloon. It is far more efficient to fill a balloon with air when it doesn’t have leaks, yes? Now imagine that [house-shaped] balloon having really thick insulated balloon-walls/ceilings/floors on all six sides, but holes at the corners. Won’t it still leak?
I’m sharing an excerpt below of “Passivhaus for Beginners,” an article posted by “Musings of an Energy Nerd” on GreenBuildingAdvisor.com. It may seem a little complicated, but just think of that balloon.
More and more designers of high-performance homes are buzzing about a superinsulation standard developed in Germany, the Passivhaus standard. The standard has been promoted for over a decade by the Passivhaus Institut, a private research and consulting center in Darmstadt, Germany. Click here to read the complete article at GreenbuildingAdvisor.com.
My friend Liz just sent me the link to this ApartmentTherapy.com article on the charming home that won their Small Cool 2010 contest. Don’t you instantly love Beth, the owner and creator of this worshipful little space? She is clearly very happy living in the magic she has made with 325 square feet. Here’s the article. Make sure you click on “enter the tour.”
P.S. When I saw the aqua wall phone, I very nearly swooned.
The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods is sponsoring another workshop to give you the financial know-how for a successful renovation. Topics will include:
* Renovation Lending * Tax Benefits
Qualifying for a Mortgage
* Market Equity * Energy Efficiency
The session will also cover the basics of loan programs, credit, cash required, cash sources, and more. Learn the benefits of renovation lending, buying a home in disrepair, and how to fix it up using unique loan programs.
This workshop is free and open to the public. No reservations required.
This is a nice article from HouseLogic.com – 
You care about the environment. You also happen to have a bathroom badly in need of remodeling. How do you get the job done with minimal impact on both our fragile planet and your precious budget? Thankfully, the growth of the green building movement has given rise to many eco-responsible products and resources that allow you to create the water-conserving, healthy, energy-wise bath you’ve always wanted—all without busting your bottom line. Here’s what you need to know. Read more…
Here is an article on green remodeling from the excellent GreenBuildingAdvisor.com —
Green remodeling is different than building new, but the goals are the same.
Old or existing homes can be made more energy efficient, by using the best building and design practices, and by incorporating materials that are the least harmful to the environment. Read more…
