Summer cooling can significantly add to the running costs of your home and contribute to harmful greenhouse gas emissions. You can reduce both costs and emissions through the installation of radiant barrier sheathing. NASA has utilized radiant barriers on its astronaut suits and equipment since the Apollo mission as they are very effective at keeping out radiant heat. Radiant barriers are extremely effective at reducing summer heat gain in attic spaces. Read more

The economic downturn and housing slump has been hard on the construction industry and many professionals have left to seek employment in other sectors. With construction picking up in the first quarter of this year, labor shortages are becoming a growing concern. A National Association of Home Builders survey showed that there is an increased shortage of professionals in the industry. 23% of companies reported roofer shortages, 38% reported carpenter shortages with similar reports for electricians, framers, plumbers and bricklayers. Innovative builders are turning to advanced building methods to overcome these labor shortages. Read more

The housing recession has led to the loss of many qualified building employees and the closure of many manufacturing facilities. Now that the market is rebounding, those who survived the recession are experiencing labor shortages and increasing building material costs. Rising concerns about these issues are starting to affect the market as builder confidence experienced a two-point drop in April*. Read more

An Earthship is a home that is a radically sustainable building. Constructed of recycled materials, Earthships can be built in any climate and are made to produce their own power, potable water and sustainable food while dealing with waste onsite. Earthships are the brainchild of architect savant Michael Reynolds whose life’s mission it has been to help others to design and construct Earthships of their own.
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Green building is becoming an international phenomenon and many home plans now come standard with energy efficient building envelope features that were once an added cost. As building codes change to improve efficiency, designers push the envelope of what it means to have a green home. We take a look at homes that expand the boundaries of green buildings with these extraordinary eco-friendly homes.

Orchid House, Cotswolds

This green building masterpiece has the distinction of also being the most expensive green home in in the world having sold for $14.2 million. The Orchid House produces more energy than it uses through geothermal heating, solar and wind power. The home is designed by Sarah Featherstone who was also responsible for part of the London Olympic Village.
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Creating energy is a complex and surprisingly inefficient process. This process is especially inefficient when we use fossil fuels to generate electricity like natural gas and coal. When these fossil fuels are burned, large amounts of heat energy is lost. We then send electricity through miles of cables where further losses occur. This means that when you save 1kw of energy in your homes, you’re actually saving three or four; now that’s a great return on investment.

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