Understanding energy efficiency – A house is a system
A house is made up of components that work together to form an integrated system.
How to choose summer kitchen amenities
Now that the weather is getting nicer, all ideas of outdoor leisure home activities come flooding back to your mind. From playing out in the yard with the kids, to enjoying neighbors over for a…
EnerGuide Rating for New Homes
There are a number of different construction standards for low energy and/or green homes in Canada. Depending on the region of Canada you are in, you may be familiar with one or more of the following…
Decor: High-style, low maintenance indoor gardens
If you are tired of the traditional approach to indoor plants, you may want to draw on the inspiration of Shane Powers. He developed a new selection of beautiful and self-sufficient planters which…
Bunk room blast – a great kid space
Thanks to Twitter and Facebook, I sometimes have too much exposure to great ideas. Effective use of space is always a challenge so when I came across this blog post from August Fields it was a given…
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…
The Pyramid of New Water Sources
Today is World Water Day and it just so happens that Jerry Yudelson, noted green building authority and author, has released a new conceptual tool to help people understand where water will come from…
Terminology Primer – Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC)
Have you ever noticed that when it comes to heating, ventilation and cooling discussions, you feel like there is another language being spoken? As with most areas of specialty, this is the case! The…
Canadian tax implications of cross-border real estate shopping
It's hard to resist the temptation of an excellent bargain. With that being said, their are implications beyond the pricetag. A recent article in the Globe and Mail scratches the surface of what…
