BackPage Primers

Binders in Manufactured Wood Products: Beyond Formaldehyde

Concerned about emissions regulations, the manufactured wood products industry is moving away from glues formulated with urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde.
Environmental Building News—October 1, 2007

Ground-Source Heat Pumps: Tapping the Earth's Mass

Ground-source heat pumps take advantage of stable temperatures just below the Earth's crust for energy-efficient heating and cooling.
Environmental Building News—September 1, 2007

Light-Emitting Diodes: Chasing White Light

LED lighting is becoming more energy-efficient and cost-effective, but it has not yet realized its potential for efficacy, and for wider applicability.
Environmental Building News—August 1, 2007

Volatile Organic Compounds: Definitions Matter

Because of how air-quality regulators define VOCs, judging a product's contribution to indoor air quality using only VOC content can be misleading.
Environmental Building News—July 1, 2007

Drywall Options: Paper-Faced, Monolithic, or Fiberglass-Faced?

Drywall types differ in cost, recyclability, and response to moisture and mold.
Environmental Building News—June 1, 2007

Insulated Concrete Forms

Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are permanent forms for poured-concrete walls.
Environmental Building News—May 1, 2007
Member Comments

How the Sun's Path Can Inform Design

Mark Smith says, “One of the important tasks in selling or leasing real estate is demonstration—demonstrating the features and benefits of your...” More...


Water-Efficient Showerheads

Bill Burke says, “Thanks to EBN I found the 1.6 gpm showerhead. Delta certainly does a good job of hiding it on their...” More...


Armoroc Cement-Bonded Particle Board

Michael Kavanagh says, “Hal, Much of the tensile strength comes from the mineralized, post-industrial wood fibers. We have called on the services...” More...

Hal Levin says, “Mike, I'm sorry, I missed the wood fiber part that I saw after clicking "submit comment." So, it is not VOC-...” More...

Hal Levin says, “Hi Mike, Thanks for your kind and generous remarks. Actually, the more I learn the more I know that my expertise...” More...

Michael Kavanagh says, “Hal, Your expertise in this area is acknowledged and appreciated. However, let’s not lose sight that Armoroc Structural Cement...” More...


An Affordable Heat-Pump Water-Heater Retrofit

sunil sinha says, “AirTap Heat Pump Water Heater is installed in the places like garage, basement, attic which are mostly not directly heated...” More...


Styrofoam SIS

John Beeson says, “The aluminum layer which would reside on the outside (?) when taped would be an effect air retarder, but it...” More...


An Affordable Heat-Pump Water-Heater Retrofit

Ethan Goldman says, “Because this is an air-source heat pump, the heat it's "pushing" into the water in the tank is extracted from...” More...


D'Mand Hot Water Delivery System

Brent Eubanks says, “My unit is installed as a retrofit, and I have occasionally found warm water in my cold tap at the...” More...

Alex Wilson says, “The concern Mr. Behm expresses is a real one--for retrofit applications. When a Metland, Taco, or Uponor D'Mand system is...” More...

Gregory Behm says, “Brent or anyone else with D'Mand experiences, What is your experience with the cold water temperature after running the D'Mand system?...” More...