Most houses in this part of the world are 'stick-built.' That is, they're framed with 2x4s - sticks. This term came from the timber framers who were used to building with massive posts and beams. When smaller lumber became available…
Today we're running a guest post by Chris Kaiser of Mapawatt.com. I met Chris recently because we're both blogging from the great city of Atlanta, and our blogs complement each other well. Here at Energy Vanguard, we focus mainly on…
"Making something beautiful is one of the most sustainable things you can do." - Sarah Susanka, Author of The Not So Big House. "Making something beautiful is one of the most sustainable things you can do." - Sarah Susanka, Author of The…
What pops into your mind when you hear the term 'modular home'? Cheap? Flimsy? Ugly? Trailer? Energy hog? Boxy? Cramped? Well, let me try to bring you up to speed in the field of modular, and especially green modular homes.…
Next month, for about three weeks, professional cyclists will ride 2,200 miles through the hills and towns of France competing for the title of Tour de France Champion. Only one will be crowned champ, but they won't have earned it…
A few weeks ago, my uncle, John, called me up and asked if I could design the house where he and his future wife would spend the rest of their lives. Like many people, he wants to save money on…
Last week in my role as a home energy rating provider, I had to disqualify a home for the ENERGY STAR label. I hated doing it because it was a nice home and, in every way but one, can be…
I've just finished going over the newly released ENERGY STAR 2011 guidelines for new homes and, as you might expect, I'm happy about some of the new requirements and disappointed/perplexed about others. Overall, though, the program is moving in the…
Whether you're a homeowner looking to get a home energy audit or you're interested in getting trained to become a home energy auditor, you should know that there are only two organizations that offer what you're looking for. One is…
I saw this commercial on TV last night and knew I had to share it here. I saw this commercial on TV last night and knew I had to share it here. Yes, Georgia Power is part of the Southern…