Energy efficiency / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Close up of a Highly Reflective Tandem Perovskite Solar Cell Panel.
Solar photovoltaic

Next-Gen Solar Perovskite and Tandem Cells - the Latest in Solar Technology

...energy conversion efficiency makes them a critical technology for future-proofing sustainable homes, optimizing limited roof space, and accelerating global clean energy adoption paths. Now that you know more about next-gen solar perovskite and tandem cells, find more info about solar energy and green building technique...

Heat Pump Exterior Compressor
Heat pumps, geothermal and AC

2026 Heat Pump Buyers Guide for Homeowners and Professionals

...energy retrofits. This guide provides an authoritative roadmap for homeowners and building professionals to navigate the latest efficiency standards, cold-climate performance capabilities, and the significant 2026 energy efficiency tax credits and rebates that are currently available. Understanding heat pump technolog...

The Top Heat Pump Water Heater Brands
Heat pumps, geothermal and AC

2026 Heat Pump Water Heater Buyers Guide for Homeowners and Professionals

...efficiency standards, low-GWP refrigerant shifts, and the significant green home energy efficiency tax credits and rebates available for domestic hot water this year. Understanding heat pump water heater technology Uniform energy factor and performance in 2026 Installation space and venting requirements Top performing...

A residential home undergoing an exterior thermal overcoat renovation
Wall assemblies - renovation

Thermal overcoating: a technical manual for high-performance exterior retrofits

...efficiency and durability in 1970s bungalows and older stick-frame homes. The science of the dew point shift Aero-barrier vs. self-adhered membranes Structural rainscreens and long-screw fastening Window buck transitions and out-setting frames Choosing the right insulation for overcoating The science of the dew poin...

A  copper drain water heat recovery unit in a residential plumbing stack.
Hot water

Drain Water Heat Recovery: Efficient Energy Recycling

...energy efficiency in sustainable home design Vertical units: brand performance and pro features Installation and plumbing configurations Efficiency, maintenance, and return on investment Horizontal dwhr for slab on grade foundations In brief How drain water heat recovery works How the falling film effect transfers he...

Renewable energy

How to heat a home with only solar panels - A homeowner's & pro's guide to off grid heating

...energy efficient home, is using the sun to your advantage by employing passive heating and cooling design techniques. This design philosophy adapts the building's design and orientation so that the majority of windows face south. This allows your windows to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the form of hea...

Diagram showing the flow of heat and cooling in a modern district energy system.
Heating and cooling

What is District Energy and How Does it Work?

...energy versus individual home systems Locations and applications where district energy systems make sense Urban areas: Downtowns and central business districts use district energy to serve a high density of commercial and institutional buildings. Institutional campuses: Colleges, universities, hospitals, and healthca...

Concept and design

Smart Homes: Efficiency, Comfort & Convenience at Our Fingertips

...energy just by being plugged in. Smart home monitor © Rogers Communications Smart home monitors can provide you with a running history of your consumption, your carbon footprint, and even a list of your most energy-consuming appliances or devices. It can also help you set monthly budgets and goals for en...

U-Values vs R-Values - The Differences Explained
Insulation and soundproofing

Understanding U-Values: How Are They Different Than R-Values?

...energy efficiency, as a low number means less heat is passing through the component. Where U-value is used U-value is the universally accepted standard for measuring the thermal performance of complex, pre-fabricated assemblies, most notably windows and doors. A window is an assembly of different materials - glass, fra...

Semi-Translucent Aerogel Filled Commercial Windows
Insulation and soundproofing

Aerogel - Super Insulation for Windows and Walls

...Energy intensity: The equipment, pressure cycling, and energy required to maintain the supercritical state and recycle the solvent make this process very energy-intensive and slow, leading to a high embodied energy value. Embodied carbon: As a result, the cradle-to-grave embodied carbon footprint of aerogel is signif...

Closed-cell structure of rigid foam insulation board with trapped gas
Insulation and soundproofing

Thermal Drift in Foam Insulation: Understanding R-Values in Insulation, Why They Change and Degrade Over Time

...energy performance. Thermal drift refers to the reduced R value of aged insulation as blowing agents dissipate.    This guide provides a comprehensive look at the key aspects of this topic. Below is an overview of the sections we will cover, allowing you to jump directly to the information you need. What is thermal ...