Building Science: Putting Tightness to the Test

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Building Science: Putting Tightness to the Test

Assuming you are taking steps to address indoor air quality, the goal should be to seal a house as much as possible. But unless you test and measure how tight you’re building—and understand the resulting metrics—you won’t know where you stand. EcoHome’s building scientist offers guidelines for interpreting and utilizing the results of a blower-door test.

GREEN PRODUCTS

Ground-Mount Solar Water Kit
From EarthNet Energy

Energy-Saving Top-Loader
From Maytag

High-Performance-Window Resources
From Amsco

The natural fit for my projects.

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NEWS

June Legislative Update

A roundup of local, state, and federal legislation and government news affecting green home building, including wind energy bills in New Jersey and Rhode Island, how the Home Star bill will affect remodelers, Washington builders sue to stop green-building law, and much more.

Home Loan Snafu Halts Green Loans in California

A new state program allowing homeowners to pay for solar panel installations through their property taxes was put on hold in Placer County and San Francisco after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac began raising questions about such loans. The launches of similar programs in Sacramento County, Los Angeles, and San Diego could be delayed if the regulatory roadblocks remain.

UL Launches Certification for Solar PV Installers

Held at the new UL University lab in Research Triangle Park, N.C., the five-day course for licensed electricians will provide hands-on exposure to the process of installing a photovoltaic system, an overview of solar products, and customer service training.

The Week in Green: June 26-July 2

The cost of building green, mixed demand for appliance rebates, Virginia Tech wins European Solar Decathlon, and other green building news from around the Web.

Housing IntelligencePro - Revolutionizing Housing Information

In today's housing market building on instinct is not enough. Making smart decisions about homebuilding needs facts – not estimates. Fueled by hundreds of data elements in over 800 MSA's –Housing Intelligence Pro allows you to dig deep into housing markets and uncover new opportunities. Get a FREE Housing IntelligencePro report at www.housingintelligence.com/pro.

GREEN BUILDING & DESIGN

New Orleans Slowly Embracing Sustainable Building Practices

Though previously entrenched in traditional, less-efficient building methods, some builders in post-Katrina Crescent City are turning to new products and techniques to rebuild for durability, conservation, and health.

Shaw Industries Closes Carpet’s Lifecycle Loop

Shaw’s Evergreen facility in Augusta, Ga., is the world’s largest carpet recycling plant, annually converting 100 million pounds of reclaimed carpet delivered from 50 collection points into new carpet.

ECOHOME TV

Water-Efficient Bath Products

Water conservation is an integral part of the green movement. Watch to see bath products found at the 2010 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show that are stylish and water-efficient.

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EcoHome Magazine

Current Issue

Check out the current issue of EcoHome, which includes a look at how a 10-year-old sustainable home is holding up, an in-depth review of what makes kitchen cabinetry green, guidelines for using blower-door test metrics, dozens of new products, and much more.