The American dream of owning your own home, a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage has come under fire of late. The dire economic circumstances, diminishing middle class as well as spiralling foreclosure rates threaten to undermine the lifestyle most Americans take for granted. A recent Yahoo! Real Estate poll shows that 81% of Americans are not ready to give up on that dream just yet. However, a shift in the zeitgeist to a more sustainable future is in progress. Homeowners, and those with ambitions to own a home, are opting for more sensible, greener homes that reduce their maintenance costs and impact the environment in a positive way. Now the American dream is to own a green home, have an organic chicken in every pot and an electric car in every solar powered garage.
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The heat beneath your feet that’s clean and renewable

Geothermal energy is heat that comes from the earth. Geothermal (often confused with earth coupled, ground-sourced and ground-loop systems) is a clean, renewable source of energy utilized for generating electricity. Primordial heat and radioactive decay are responsible for the earth’s inherent toastiness. Primordial heat is a result of the collision of cosmic proportions which created the earth some 4.5 billion years ago. The cooled outer layer of the earth acts as insulation for its molten core. Some of the earth’s elements are radioactive and they release heat as they slowly decay, adding to the earth’s geothermal cache. The earth’s temperature increases with depth at a rate of about 30°C/km. You don’t have to live on a volcano to take advantage of the earth’s heat, you just have to drill baby, drill (but in a good way.)
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A carbon-free Christmas for one and all

Just when the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving has finally been consumed and the dry ice-induced Halloween fog has subsided, it’s time to start planning for the silly season. This year, we would like to encourage you to think about the carbon footprint of your Christmas festivities. There is, indeed, much to think about. When you consider the carbon footprint of the turkey, which travels up to 1500 km to reach your table, the planting, harvesting, transporting and disposal of your Christmas tree, the energy consumed by your legendary lighting display in addition to the traveling of loved ones as they fly, drive and train to you and your homemade eggnog, it’s enough to give you indigestion.
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Designing a zero energy house (ZEH) is a complex procedure. A properly functioning ZEH is like a well composed concerto; all systems need to be working seamlessly together to create a masterpiece. The most important requirements include a well insulated building envelope, efficient HVAC, a reliable source of renewable energy and energy efficient appliances. All of these components must work together to create a home that is healthy and produces as much energy as it consumes. Here are 7 tips to designing a ZEH so harmonious, it would make Mozart proud. Read more

How thermal mass can help you heat your home for free

Over the last couple of weeks we have looked at a number of ways for you to heat your home while reducing your carbon footprint and lowering your utility bill. But how would you like to heat your house for free? You don’t have to lift a finger; no mechanics, no moving parts and no electronics. If this sounds too good to be true, then keep reading.

Passive solar heating utilizes the floors, walls and other thermal masses to absorb solar energy during the day and distribute this heat back into the home during the colder evening hours. Solar heating can be combined into new building designs or retrofitted to your existing structure to provide heating, cooling and natural light. Read more