By Paula Minahan
The idea of living in a truly sustainable green environment is a homeowner’s dream: Lower energy bills, healthier materials,

Photo: Barley & Pfeiffer Architects
 
Overhangs provide protection from the sun.
the satisfaction of “doing the right thing.” But with our slumping U.S. economy, many worry about holding onto their home — let alone building a [...]

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By Paula Minahan
Swimming pools are a big draw in summer, but when it comes to energy consumption, they can be a big drain. Award-winning green architect Peter Pfeiffer shared his own experience on how to reduce “pain at the pump”:
Here’s a great story about building my own home. We installed solar panels on the [...]

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By Paula Minahan
Peter Pfeiffer doesn’t mince words. His passion for green building takes an almost proselytizing tone at times. And it’s no wonder. The straight-shooting architect has spent the past 30 years at the forefront of the

Photo: Barley & Pfeiffer Architects
 
Peter Pfeiffer’s green house in Austin
green building movement. The award-winning work of his Austin-based firm, [...]

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By John DeFore
As counterintuitive as it sounds for those raised to think of all trees as environmentally precious, there are some varieties that prove a nuisance, possibly even a hazard, in certain areas.
Western juniper, for instance. While natural wildfire/regrowth cycles once kept juniper under control, modern firefighting efforts have sometimes allowed the trees [...]

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By John DeFore
This week’s consumer electronics event RetailVision saw the latest salvo in a war that should have been fought long ago but probably won’t end soon: The event’s “FRESH” exhibit, showcasing ten hot product innovations, included a display by a company founded on the idea that one plug is plenty for practically all [...]

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By Emily Speir

Photo: Phoenix Composting Toilet Systems
 
Outdoor venues such as Quail Ridge County Park in Missouri use composting toilets.
As a kid watching the remains of my latest goldfish swirling into oblivion, my thoughts were a mix of horror and curiosity. Where was my dear fish going? Where did anything go that got the flush? The [...]

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By John DeFore
At last week’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando, a company called Hydromatic Technologies introduced what it described as “the world’s first green clothes dryer” — which isn’t a standalone dryer at all but may well represent a leap forward in efficiency.
The Dryer Miser is a conversion kit that can be fitted onto [...]

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By Bill Marvel
“The heavens show forth the glory of God,” the Psalmist declared, “and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.”
Ah, no longer. Unless you live in a remote desert or on a mountaintop, these days the heavens mostly show forth the operations of the local electric utility. And the firmament — when you can see [...]

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By John DeFore
Of all the logos and labels that identify products as environmentally responsible, few approach the iconic status of the recycling logo, in which three turning arrows form a triangle. Now a new smartly designed logo hopes to join the triangle as a quick reference point for Green shoppers, at least when it [...]

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By John DeFore
Of all the products that made BuildingGreen’s new Top 10 list, the one most likely to be of use to those of us who aren’t building homes (or remodeling kitchens) any time soon is the LR6 LED Downlight from LLF. Designed for use in recessed lighting fixtures, the downlight offers predictable benefits over [...]

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That hissing sound you hear may be your toilet leaking — literally flushing away your money and a whole lot of clean water. As much as 80,000 gallons of water can be wasted each year by an undetected toilet tank leak, according to Ace Hardware. Leaking toilets cause more water waste than any other fixture [...]

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By Melissa Segrest
Winter’s icy blast is on its way, and now is the time for folks in cold climates to consider conserving energy when firing up the furnace. Replacing an old, cranky furnace may be your best option, but if that’s impractical, you can retrofit your current furnace to make it more energy-efficient. Most furnaces [...]

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