Energy Efficient New Homes – Grants and Incentives

Currently, although Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) does not offer incentives to new home buyers or new home builders, NRCan manages the EnerGuide Rating System, ENERGY STAR® for New Homes, and…

Earth Hour – A one-night stand or new mindset?

WWF-Canada Earth Hour Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate…

Decor: Green Brings a Room to Life

On St. Patrick's Day, it truly is all about green! And what a great color when used in interiors, one that is equally at home in modern spaces as it is traditional rooms, with the ability to bring a…

Amazing Ways with Concrete Countertops

See What Designers Are Doing With This Versatile, Weatherproof Counter Alternative Concrete may not be the first material you think of for your countertop, but take note: Designers are doing some…

Advantages of a smaller house

We live in more space than we need. We’ve got media rooms, master suites, walk-in closets that can be mistaken for bedrooms, and extra living and dining areas. I grew up in a house with formal…

Intelligent Cities – Capturing graywater in Tucson

Would you water your garden with what goes down your shower drain or out your washing machine? In Tucson, Arizona, and an increasing number of water-starved western cities, more and more residents…

Spring planting: Wonderful wisteria

Classic Vines Add Fragrance, Color and Romance to Garden Designs Every spring, I see wisteria blooming on fences and pergolas, and every spring it surprises me all over again. Its twining vines have…

The Dry Garden – Great example of xeriscaping

As beautiful as private landscapes can be, and they can be stunning, none can match the poetry, joy and solace of a public garden done right. As proof, look no further than Arlington Garden in…

Xeriscaping – A sustainable landscape option

Whether by conscience or necessity, many people are looking to reduce their water consumption. The perfectly manicured emerald lawn may certainly look lovely but normally requires a great deal of…

The Importance of Bathroom and Kitchen Fans

Bathroom and kitchen fans are an important part of your home's ventilation system. They remove odours from your house, which improves indoor air quality. They also remove moisture, which decreases…

How to choose green building materials

At DrummondHousePlans, we scour the web for resources for you. With so much discussion about eco-friendly and green building options, it is great to see articles that are more factual than full of…

Indoor Air Quality

With Canadians spending more than 90% of their time indoors, much of it at home, the "healthiness" of their home is a serious issue. Poor indoor air can have a detrimental impact on people's…

We want your natural corks!

A lot of corks will be popping this evening, you may want to think about some creative recycling! An Ontario company specializes in the recycling of natural cork. Jelinek Cork Group has been…

Holiday parody – On the 4th day of building…

Our parody on the Twelve Days of Christmas continues. We dare you not to sing them out loud! Four house plans to choose from, Three French city planners, Two steel-toed boots, and a journal for my…

Greywater Report looks at wastewater’s potential

About 50% of the water used inside U.S. homes can be reused to irrigate landscapes and flush toilets, according to a gray water report released by the Pacific Institute  last week. The Overview of…

Official Opening of the EchoHaven EQuilibriumTM Home in Calgary, Alberta

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Nov. 12, 2010) - Today, the Government of Canada announced the official opening of the EchoHaven Home, an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home in…

Double-duty recycling of building supplies

Whether you are doing a remodel, a renovation or building new, it is surprising to find how many useable materials end up in site dumpsters. It seems like such a shame but these items can be…

Buying An Ethanol Fireplace – Check Out The Facts

  Before winter sets upon us we are considering repairing or cleaning the chimneys, or at least looking at all that needs to be done to have a safe fireplace. A lot of people who don’t have a…

Low Flow Showers for $$$avings

Hot water can account for as much as 25% of a household's total energy costs. In many cases, showers can be the largest single contributor to overall hot water use in a home, accounting for 15% of…

Solar can be a marketable home improvement

As the U.S. housing market continues to stall, homeowners looking to sell their homes need to identify the best steps they can take to make their property stand out.  The right home improvement…