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I was going to write today about the range of energy efficient and sustainable housing standards and programs that are offered by organizations. But I got sidetracked by an article by Allison Bailes on his Energy Vanguard blog. [continue reading]
Environmental awareness is spreading across countries like a slow, yet steady, fire. Enterprises that focus on energy saving schemes are constantly on the lookout for fresh ideas. Nearly every second day, a new project is charted out in some part of the world. Some of them fail due to lack of funding, while others collapse because of their irrational basis. Only once in a while, an idea that is conceived actually makes it into the ... [continue reading]
Our rationale of following the path of Passive House, LEED, Zero Net Energy, Living Building Challenge or other specific set of guidelines is not to achieve a certification to have in our portfolio. These programs provide standards that achieve a better quality home with high energy efficiency, interior spaces that are comfortable, have healthy air quality and are quiet, yield a durable home that has a lower carbon footprint and is kinder to the planet, ... [continue reading]
"What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what you read, whom you know. What breaks your heart, and amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love. Stay in love. It will decide everything.” Pedro Arupe Recently, at the ACI national conference, I was reminded of this in so many ways. Along with a dear friend and colleague Bethany Profaizer (Director of Client Solutions at ... [continue reading]
Last week, I got a request from a contractor who didn’t have time for a sales training. Could I just give him a list of key tips? Well, yes, I can. I don’t expect the list by itself, though, is enough to have a big impact. You need the understanding behind each point, and the practice to excel. Nonetheless, perhaps a quick peek can help you identify some areas to work ... [continue reading]
In many ways, entering a bid is the most important part of your job as an HVAC contractor. Without knowledge of how to make an accurate, competitive bid, you won’t be able to secure much work and the work you do get will wind up losing you money. Below are a few basic aspects of bidding that you can learn in order to maximize your earning potential and workload. [continue reading]
Fitness wearables inspire people to change; to exercise more in order to meet their daily goals. These sophisticated gadgets gather previously untapped data about our everyday lives to give us a better understanding of ourselves – otherwise known as the “quantified self.” [continue reading]
It turns out that one of the most valuable remodeling options is one you can’t see. That’s the conclusion of the recent Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling magazine, which compares the average cost for popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale value in 100 different U.S. markets. For the first time, Remodeling included an energy efficiency measure—fiberglass attic insulation—and the results were ... [continue reading]
One of the next big leaps in home energy efficiency and market transformation hinges not on some new energy-saving gadget, but on our ability to share data about homes. Specifically, the ability to share standardized data on an individual home’s performance and on the energy upgrades that it received. [continue reading]
Anyone who has read a blog, sat in on one of my presentations, or been a client of Carmel Building & Design knows that I’m passionate about sustainable building. The passion stems from a desire to take what I’ve learned about human impact on the environment over the past 25 years and apply it to my chosen profession. But, it’s not just a way to satisfy my need to address the ... [continue reading]
