What could be greener than a tiny home? They use so many fewer resources than a traditional home that they should almost get a free pass in the green building world, shouldn’t they? Almost, but not quite. With tiny homes becoming more popular, let’s explore some green building pitfalls that...
Category: Postings
Design Matters
Postings
I've been around the globe a time or two but until this past weekend had managed to avoid visiting Florida (excepting the one time we touched Key West via sailboat which somehow doesn't count). This visit, which was work related, had me in the Tampa/Clearwater/St. Petersburg area. I wasn't actively...
Why you should be using an induction cooktop
Amy Musser
Induction cooktops are new. I get a lot of questions about them, and at this point not enough designers, contractors, and homeowners are specifying them. In my opinion, they’re the best choice for just about everyone. In this week’s blog, I’d like to present my reasoning. What makes induction cooktops...
Renewable Energy in Nicaragua
Boone Guyton
I am in Nicaragua with Leaf for Life that is doing workshops on sustainable ways people can grow food to fight malnutrition. The workshops have been at the University of Agriculture in Managua and two women’s coops out in the country. I was here 30 years ago and the country...
Know Your Stormwater
Postings
"If we were tenants, the earth our home, and Mother Nature the landlord, we'd have been evicted long ago". Variously Attributed Last Saturday I had an opportunity to talk with a good friend who is a biologist, forester, and water quality expert with the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources....
Natural Building
Brian Knight
Natural building is similar to green building. It seeks to reduce the environmental impact of our dwellings without sacrificing health or comfort. Green building often includes materials that many see as unhealthy or not natural. It's tricky defining natural building systems and we urge people to view the big picture...
Introducing…. Greenbuilt NC net-zero and net-zero ready homes!
Amy Musser
Three new net-zero energy homes are being certified in Asheville this week, and you can tour them all this weekend and next during the Parade of Homes! If you're a member of the WNC green building council, you got an email today introducing the latest overhaul of the Greenbuilt NC...
Talking to Deniers
Postings
How To Talk To A Climate Change Denier Or Conversational Tips For Those Unfortunate Souls Found Within Earshot Of Those Individuals Who Deny The Overwhelming Scientific Consensus That Human Activities Are Responsible For Catastrophic Climate Change Question: Steve, my uncle’s knuckles do not actually drag on the ground but he...
Solar + Batteries
Boone Guyton
We are looking into adding some more PV to our exisiting net metered 3.8 KW system along with a compatible amount of batteries. The idea being to produce enough to fuel an electric car with solar generated electricity that will be our short run town car. We have a 2015...
DC motors and CERVs
Boone Guyton
I came across this Green Police 2 minute video (http://bcove.me/ryhxnqc9) and was impressed by the difference in the AC vs DC fans they tested.( These guys are often worth the 2 minutes of video they do on different green building products. http://bit.ly1DY27M8 ) Basically while doing the same work the DC...