A new project by Chris Magwood and the team from Endeavor Center is pushing the envelope of green building technology. Unlike other projects of its kind, this home in Peterborough was built without the help of grants or subsidies, but as a purely commercial effort. This is because Chris believes that the market is changing and the building industry must emulate that change to meet the growing demand for greener homes: “Placing the house on the open market will hopefully show other builders that there is an appetite for homes of this type. We believe that the market is changing and that owners are willing to invest in a home that has very low operating costs and a high degree of resilience, and which makes their health and wellbeing a priority,” said Magwood. Read more

If your pool is an energy hog, it may be time to make a few changes that can reduce your summer energy consumption and save money. Your pool pump is potentially using more energy than any other home appliance with over 2,000 watts or more for a 1.5- or 2-horse motor. There are ways to mitigate unnecessary pool energy consumption and small investments now can save you tons of money in the long run. Read more

Want to save money on your utility bill? There’s an app for that! Having a more efficient home is only the first step in reaping the benefits of reduced consumption. Creating a home with a green building envelope and systems that use less energy only work when occupants practice efficient consumption. A greener building or home is a combination of a secure building envelope and efficient HVAC systems and appliances which work in harmony to reduce energy consumption. With careful monitoring and good consumption habits, you can ensure the efficacy of you systems. Here are some apps that can help you to monitor and improve your home’s energy efficiency.
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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

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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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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