What will it take for policy makers and the public finally get on board with the need to do something about climate change?

The United Nations’ IPCC is leading an international effort to understand climate change, and efforts like the Kyoto Protocol have grown out of that background work. But are we getting closer to solving the problem?

A recently approved U.S. patent for drying out building spaces defies common sense and could squeeze builders whose only “sin” is dehumidification.
Cooling towers at a nuclear power plant in Byron, Illinois.Photo Credit: Scott Olson, Getty Images

Saving energy isn’t only about using less electricity and fuel; it’s about saving water.

In this weekly blog, I’ve focused a lot of attention on the energy-saving measures at our new home—from the innovative insulation materials we used to the air-source heat pump heating system and our top-efficiency heat-recovery ventilator. What I haven’t said much about are the measures we’ve taken to reduce water use and why these measures save energy as well.

Tension and pressure, tears and creeps. The Wingnut Test Facility (WTF) gets dope-slapped in our latest round of experiments.

by Peter Yost

This is part of an ongoing series. Read all the Sticky Business posts here.

Human urine collection and use provides a better way to recycle nutrients than use of composting toilets.

by Alex Wilson

Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy this blog over a cup of coffee here’s an article on…urine?

Really?

Let me explain.

A California company, Blue Planet, is reinventing concrete and envisions a world in which the 8 billion tons of concrete used each year sequester billions of tons of carbon dioxide.
Our house cost a lot more than I would have liked, but many of the ideas used in it could be implemented more affordably.
Induction cooktops respond quickly, avoid gas combustion, are tops in energy efficiency, and limit risk of burns. Our induction cooktop blends in well with our matt-black Richlite countertop. Click to enlarge.Photo Credit: Alex Wilson

While a heat-pump water heater will save significant energy on a year-round basis, be aware that in a cold climate the net performance (water heating plus space heating) will drop in the winter.

by Alex Wilson

We chose a heat pump water heater for our new house, and as I've recently discussed here, there are a lot of reasons why you might be doing the same.

Why we opted for electric water heating over a solar water heater.

by Alex Wilson

As we build more energy-efficient houses, particularly when we go to extremes with insulation and air tightness, as with Passive House projects, water heating becomes a larger and larger share of overall energy consumption (see Solar Thermal Hot Water, Heating, and Cooling).

Air sealing and other energy retrofits in our homes can raise or lower radon levels. The only way to know is to test.

 

This blog post first appeared on GreenBuildingAdvisor.com.

Two studies indicate some benefits to using insulated vinyl siding, but more data is needed to win over this skeptic.
To function properly, any ducted HRV has to be balanced after installation Barry Stephens measuring the airflow through a ceiling register of our HRV.Photo Credit: Alex Wilson

 

Predicting performance and rationally selecting window coverings—from awnings to films to cellular shades—is incredibly challenging, but real help is on the way.

There is a lot of interest in just how much (and at how low a price point) window coverings can improve building thermal performance.