lighting-appliances-electrical / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

There are a lot of options to consider when shopping for appliances, designing home lighting, and heating your home. These pages outline some things you can do that will help reduce your consumption, and despite what is sometimes a higher sticker price, usually save you money. Efficient and effective home lighting desi...

The first thought of home lighting design should be the orientation of windows for quality of life, but also passive solar heat gain. Not only does the sun offer free heat, but free light as well. Natural and certain types of artificial lighting can reduce the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). Studies s...

Reducing energy consumption in homes Even when sitting idle, almost all TVs, computers and stereos etc., will still be using power. So any added cost for high efficiency appliances and electronics gets recouped however frequently or infrequently that they are used.   Whatever small appliance and electronic item you are...

This is the fifth piece in a blog series written by Craig Anderson as he documents the design and construction of an off-grid LEED Gold passively-heated home. See post 1 of the off-grid homes blog here, the overview . or post 2 in the off-grid homes blog here covering design and construction choices. or here see post 3...

How to choose the best LED bulbs and DIY lighting fixture installation tips. LED bulbs are here to stay, it's time to make the leap. The colours are warmer now, the bulbs are dimable and the price is coming down. Incandescent bulbs give off lots of unwanted heat, which in summer months makes your air conditioning syst...

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and 'daylight balanced' home lighting: how do they affect us? As the days grow shorter in the fall and winter months, many people experience a noticeable drop in mood and energy. For some, this shift goes beyond the typical 'winter blues' and is clinically recognized as seasonal affect...

Water and moisture wreak havoc on homes, affecting function, durability and our health. Given that kitchens and bathrooms are the main source of humidity, we need to put extra thought into designing these rooms so they consume less, last longer, and help us maintain healthier homes. Durable water resistant surfaces wil...

Best practices for attached garages: a homeowner's & pro's guide Designing an attached garage requires a sophisticated approach to building science to ensure that convenience does not compromise indoor air quality or thermal performance. Because these structures share a common wall and often a ceiling with the prim...

Clever kitchen design ideas: a homeowner's and pro's guide The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it can also be a source of frustration if the space is not designed to function efficiently. This guide explores a range of innovative, space-saving, and convenient ideas that will make your kitchen a pleasure to use. F...

What is the difference between LED and Incandescent lightbulbs? At the beginning of the 20th century, light bulbs were handmade, with incandescent filaments painstakingly being placed in tiny glass globes. Manufacturing is a little more automated now, but the performance of incandescent bulbs hasn't changed - 80-90% of...

Carbon monoxide prevention and detection: protecting your air quality from dangerous gases Carbon monoxide (CO) is often referred to as the silent killer in homes because it is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that can reach lethal concentrations inside a home without occupants ever realizing it. For homeowner...