The lively, adventurous circles used in Habitus recycled cork mosaic tiles bring a whole new dimension to cork flooring. Using remnants from the wine cork stopper industry, the company recycles the most attractive chips and hand-mounts them onto paper mesh sheets. Naturally moisture repellent, this unique product is suitable for use in showers, bathrooms and […]

Filed under: eco decor on July 31st, 2008 | No Comments »

“I would say that the truth is that everyone living in North America could be more green, and it’s important that when people start doing this work they focus on what they can accomplish without getting too guilty. People need to feel like they are making positive contributions moving forward.” Amy Wakeland

Filed under: quotables on July 31st, 2008 | No Comments »

 
5th and Madison, an elegantly eco-friendly condo tower in downtown Seattle, offers gracious living without a guilty conscience. The wide, shallow homes are built with expansive, operable windows that bathe rooms in natural light and provide ventilation; thereby reducing energy costs.  Bathrooms are equipped with energy-efficient dual-flush toilets and low flow showerheads. In the kitchen, […]

Filed under: green homes on July 31st, 2008 | No Comments »

 
While insulation doesn’t exactly provide the big bling factor, it is a fundamentally important component of a green home design. Bonded Logic recycles denim from worn blue jeans to create their eco-friendly insulation products. UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation is a high performance option that can contribute toward LEED credits with 85% post-recycled industrial content. […]

Filed under: green building products on July 31st, 2008 | No Comments »

 
A Solarsheat heating solar panel package makes it possible to retrofit an existing heating system with PV power. The Solarsheat Furnace Retrofit consists of (a minimum of) four panels, a solar fan and a solar thermostat. When installed with additional R12 insulated duct, the system boosts – or replaces - an existing heating system with […]

Filed under: alternative energy on July 31st, 2008 | No Comments »

How many of us turn on the hot water and let it run until it gets warm, then mix with cold before getting in the shower?  OK, easier to ask how many of us don’t.  Ever consider how much water is just going down the drain?

 An easy step for saving this water […]

Filed under: green practices on July 18th, 2008 | No Comments »

It’s time to update that worn kitchen and you want to make informed, environmentally conscious choices for all aspects of the remodel. Countertops need to be selected with both aesthetic and functional considerations in mind; therefore we’re pleased to note that several companies offer green kitchen countertop materials that fulfill both requirements. […]

Filed under: green bling, eco decor, green building products on July 17th, 2008 | No Comments »

While solar roof panels are an excellent option for reducing carbon footprints and decreasing dependence on power supplied by utility companies, the initial financial output required can create a roadblock for many homeowners. SolarCity has introduced a new leasing program that may benefit those who wish to lower their monthly bills by using solar energy […]

Filed under: alternative energy on July 14th, 2008 | 5 Comments »

At Deltec, going green also means going round. The circular shape of these green modular homes means less surface contact with the outside environment, which improves energy efficiency during high heat and extreme cold. Deltec estimates that the design of their 1,600 square foot Sierra model lowers surface contact by over 600 square feet as […]

Filed under: green homes, green building products on July 14th, 2008 | No Comments »

In just 106 hours, the dynamic green team of Deltec, Extreme Makeover, and The EcoBuiders built a home that achieves coveted LEED Platinum Certification: making the home one of only 25 in America able to boast this distinction.

 
 How did they do it? Following are some of their methods. Optimizing energy performance was a great place to start. Features […]

Filed under: green homes on July 14th, 2008 | 2 Comments »