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Your Lamp or Space Heater Could be Making Your House Colder
An incandescent bulb in the wrong place or a space heater can make a home uncomfortable for its occupants. Are you making these mistakes?… Read more
Posted in Design, Energy, Health, HVAC
Tagged air sealing, CFL bulb, comfort, compact florescent, cooling, efficiency, energy efficiency, health, heating, humidity, IEQ, incandescent bulb, indoor environmental quality, indoor environments, insulation, LED bulb, passive systems, space heater, thermostat
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8 Challenges of the Tiny House
Last week, Tiny House Atlanta and Southface hosted a room full of tiny house enthusiasts. Even if you don’t think you want a tiny house, you should give some thought to the idea.… Read more
When “Nice” Weather Causes Indoor Air Quality and Humidity Problems
The shoulder season between cooling and heating our homes often means indoor health and comfort problems. Are you ready for them?… Read more
Posted in Health, HVAC
Tagged air filtration, allergens, cooling, heating, high humidity, indoor air quality, indoor humidity, shoulder season
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9 Reasons Why “Smart Vents” Aren’t Smart
You can now invest in “Smart Vents” for your home. Here are nine reasons why you should not.… Read more
Posted in Design, Energy, Health, HVAC
Tagged ACCA, air conditioning, Air Conditioning Contractors of America, air leakgage, Architectural Digest, comfort, cooling, ducts, ductwork, efficiency, exfiltration, grilles, health, heating, humidity, HVAC, infiltration, Keen Home Inc, Manual D, Smart Vent, vents
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Notes from “How + Why: The Details of Sustainable Homes”
Ryan Taylor and Mike Barcik of the Southface Energy Institute are looking forward to presenting, “How + Why: The Details of Sustainable Homes” at the 2015 AIA National Convention.… Read more
Posted in Building Codes, Design, Energy, Government, Health, HVAC, Water
Tagged ACCA, AI-820.04, AIA CRAN, Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Appraisal Institute, ASHRAE 62.2, Building America, Building America research teams, Building America Solution Center, Building Science Corporation, department of energy, ENERGY STAR Certified New Homes, Energy Vanguard, Engineered Wood Association, environmental protection agency, EPA, Green Building Advisor, Indoor airPLUS, Key Air Sealing Details, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, LBNL, National Green Building Standard, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PNNL, Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum, RESNET, Southface Energy Institute, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, WaterSense, ZERH, Zero Energy Ready Home
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Georgia’s HB 255 Outlaws LEED Green Building Standard for State Properties
House Bill (HB) 255 passed through the Georgia General Assembly’s 2015 legislative session. Though HB 255 is probably unknown to most citizens, the precedent it creates deserves our attention.… Read more
Posted in Building Codes, Energy, Government, Health
Tagged American Tree Farm System, Forest Stewardship Council, georgia general assembly, Georgia House Bill 255, HB 255, House Bill 255, LEED, LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction, lumber, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, timber industry, U.S. Green Building Council, USGBC, wood wars
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Are You Looking for the Safer Choice Label?
The Safer Choice label identifies household cleaning and home products that meet stringent health and environmental safety standards. This is particularly important for children and pets.… Read more
Posted in Government, Health, Safety
Tagged allergies, American Lung Association, asthma, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, chemical sensitivity, chemicals, cleaning products, Design for the Environment, DfE, EPA, fragrance free, household cleaners, indoor air quality, ingredient disclosure, laundry, Safer Chemicals Ingredients List, Safer Choice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Uniform Trade Secrets Act, UTSA
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2015 NGBS is Open for Public Comment!
The 2015 National Green Building Standard is open for public comment. What could possibly be more exciting than commenting on a sustainable building standard?… Read more
Posted in Building Codes, Design, Energy, Government, Health, HVAC, Water
Tagged 2015 National Green Building Standard, American National Standards Institute, ANSI, basic accessbility, building codes, Earthcraft House, Home Innovation Research Labs, indoor air quality, LEED for Homes, National Green Building Standard, NGBS, Ramesh Gulatee, State of Georgia
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When To Open Your Windows + Doors for Fresh Air?
You know how this blog is always going on about only opening the windows when conditions are favorable? You won’t often find more favorable conditions than this beautiful Atlanta afternoon!… Read more
Posted in Energy, Health, HVAC
Tagged allergies, asthma, humidity, IAQ, IEQ, indoor air quality, indoor environmental quality, outdoor temperature, pollen, weather
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2015 AIA Convention Early-Bird Rates End Wednesday!
If you’re thinking about attending the 2015 American Institute of Architects national convention in Atlanta, you need to sign up now. Early-bird rates end this Wednesday!… Read more
Posted in Building Codes, Design, Energy, Finance, Government, Health, HVAC, Water
Tagged AIA, AIA members, AIA National Convention, American Institute of Architects, CRAN, Southface, sustainable homes
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Counterpoint: Open a Window for Improved Indoor Air Quality?
An article by Healthy Child Healthy World claims you should open a window, especially when it’s cold outside. Is that true? What’s best for your family?… Read more
Posted in Building Codes, Design, Energy, Health, HVAC
Tagged 2012 International Residential Code, 2012 IRC, allergens, allergies, asthma, building code, energy-recovery ventilator, fresh air, Healthy Child Healthy World, heat-recovery ventilator, humidity, indoor air quality, indoor environmental quality, indoor pollutants, mechanical ventilation, mindbodygreen.com, ozone
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Bad, Better or Best: 3 Ways to Get Fresh Air in Your Home
There are three primary ways to provide mechanical ventilation to a home. The first is not good. The second is better but not great. The third is the best choice. Do you know your options?… Read more
Posted in Building Codes, Design, Energy, Health, HVAC
Tagged air leaks, air sealing, allergies, asthma, balanced ventilation, comfort, efficiency, energy-recovery ventilator, ERV, exhaust fans, exhaust-only ventilation, fresh air, health, heat-recovery ventilator, HRV, IAQ, IEQ, indoor air pollutants, indoor air quality, indoor environmental quality, supply-only ventilation, ventilation
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Save 20% on Higher Green Home Appraisals!
Appraiser Sandra Adomatis and Lance Coyle, 2015 President of the Appraisal Institute, just offered 20% savings on a great resource for valuing homes!… Read more