Awning saves energy – how awnings save energy, and for the record, the awning has been around awhile, and have been enjoying a modest resurgence lately. During a span in the 1930s, when summer temperatures were at record highs across the US, they were a common sight on the fronts of businesses and homes all across the landscape. There is nothing complicated about the awning; the principle of them is really quite simple – anything that is in the shade keeps cooler.

The energy savings from using these are quite significant. Continue reading “Awning Saves Energy – How Awnings Save Energy” »

Green Roof What to Consider When Planning to Install One, and in various times, places, and cultures, this roof was the norm. People lived in earthen homes that were sometimes dug out of hillsides or creek banks, and the native grasses and wildflowers grew naturally on top. Other homes had sod or thatched grass roofs. Modern people are discovering the merits of this kind of roofing. If you are planning to install one of these, here are some things to consider and keep in mind.

1. Types of Green Roofs Continue reading “Green Roof What to Consider When Planning to Install a “Green” Roof” »

The idea of using living materials for the living roof is not a new one. Applying it to modern buildings, however, is relatively new. How is the ancient art of a living roof compatible with modern building methods? And why would anyone choose one of these for his or her home? The natural beauty and advantages of green living roofs are plentiful as we explain further. Continue reading “The Living Roof – The Natural Beauty and Advantages of Green Living Roofs” »

Originally posted 2010-04-10 20:13:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

So you want to build an eco-home! But perhaps you are not sure if you can do so on a budget. The good news is, the essence of an eco-home is to reuse, recycle and reduce, which is an inherently economic approach. Here are some ideas on building your eco-home without breaking the bank.

1. Work out a budget

You might say you’re “on a budget,” but have you really sat down and worked through the details of what you will need and how much you have to spend? Take some time to work out a realistic budget that takes as many details into account as you can think of. Continue reading “Strategies to Build an Eco-Home on a Budget” »

Home wind turbine kits are cropping up all over the place. They can be bought off the shelf at large retail stores and installed by the homeowner or professionally. But how much power do they produce? Are they worth it? Here are some things to consider about home wind turbine kits and their efficiency.

A wind turbine’s efficiency depends upon several factors, such as the size of the building being powered, the strength and frequency of the wind, and the size of the turbine itself. It also depends largely on your surroundings. Continue reading “How Efficient Are Home Wind Turbine Kits” »

Thinking of building your own eco dream home with a house design for green? There are few things more rewarding than planning and building your dream home with a house design green. If you are focused on making your home eco-friendly, the rewards can be even more satisfying. There are some specifics you’ll need to keep in mind if you decide to go the eco-friendly route in you house-building efforts.

First, you need to decide how far you want to go in being environmentally friendly. Do you want your home to be 100 percent green, or maybe only 75 or 50 percent? To help answer this question, ask yourself why you are wanting to build an eco dream home. Is it because you believe a natural lifestyle is healthier? Do you care about the environment and want to protect it? You may want a house that is entirely natural and even primitive, or you may want a traditional home with green features. How you address these questions will help you to get a grasp on how far you want your eco dream home to go. Continue reading “Thinking of Building Your Own Eco Dream Home With a House Design for Green” »

Building a New Home From Poured Earth may sound a bit extreme even to an Eco-friendly individual, but there seems to be a growing interest in earth-based buildings these days. There are several possibilities for the attraction – earth-based structures are Eco-friendly, the building material is plentiful, and as the toxic nature of conventional building materials becomes more well-known, many people prefer the non-toxic nature of natural building materials. It is one type of earthen construction that is enjoying a resurgence. Continue reading “Building a New Home from Poured Earth” »

Perhaps, when you first heard the terms cob structure and cob building, you thought it had something to do with constructing buildings from corn cobs. Actually, cob building is a form of earth and straw construction that is quite ancient.

Cob building is a variation on the mud brick idea, and can be referred to as a cob brick. Indigenous earth is mixed by hand (or more traditionally, by using the feet) into a mud, then long straw is added. The proportion of straw to mud for a cob brick is greater than that used for baked bricks. The gloppy mixture is then piled and sculpted into dwellings. Continue reading “What is a Cob Building Cob Structure Explanation” »