Drain Water Heat Recovery – An Untapped Resource
This simple system for recovering heat from wastewater makes a lot of sense—especially for families and commercial buildings that produce a lot of hot water. Power-Pipe drainline heat exchanger. Heat…
Plan of the Week: “Perfect Porch Promenade!”
www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 3825 - The Madeline 5 A perfect porch wraps two sides of this country-style home. Ideally sited with the porch facing forward, receive guests at the side entry in…
Accessible Housing By Design – Make Your Living Space More Livable
As we grow up, grow older or welcome new people into our homes, our needs as homeowners can change. A house that is designed, built or renovated according to the principles of universal design can…
Environmental Efficiency Changes as of 2012
Delays of 2 to 4 additional days for the receipt of house plans purchased in Quebec (Canada) in order to update the plans to meet new codes in effect will not affect clients elsewhere as…
Residential Wood Heating
If you heat with wood now or are considering the use of wood fuel for home heating, this book is for you. Wood as a home energy source differs in important ways from all the other options. Heating…
Boost Your Energy With Natural Light
Modern Kitchen design by Seattle Architect McClellan Architects Abundant natural light in a home not only saves electrical energy, but it gives you more personal energy too. In a normal building,…
Ventilate Your Home to Reduce 374 Indoor Pollutants
Airtight homes keep in heat... and many other things. At the beginning of my career, I had the privilege of working for a company specializing in residential ventilation called Venmar. The company is…
Finish Your Basement the Right Way
Contemporary Basement design by Minneapolis Design-build Orfield Remodeling, Inc Basements are tricky. These large spaces beg for a new use, but they often become dumping grounds for all of…
CMHC – July 9, 2012 New Mortgage Rules in Canada
Here is the summary of the yet another CMHC new rule for “high ratio” mortgages (20% < lower down payment). Note – this change of rule does NOT apply to anyone who has 20% down payment or more.…
English-Style Landscape Gardens
Mediterranean Landscape design by Miami Landscape Architect orlando comas, landscape architect. An English landscape is characterized by sweeping vistas across rolling lawns, distant groves of…
House Plan of the Week: “Fabulous Flow For Limited-Mobility Residents”
www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 3276, The Tidewell Following a survey on our website with close to 500 respondents, consensus was a desire for available universal access or wheelchair-modified…
5 Kitchen Improvements to Enhance Aesthetics and Improve Resale Value
Nowhere else in the home does design and functionality need to be more harmonious than in the kitchen. This is the most-used room of the house, one where we spend most of our leisure time, one that…
Garden Design Essentials: Color 101
Eclectic Entry design by Los Angeles Photographer Stephanie Wiley Photography Anyone who has walked into a room painted in a dull or garish palette knows the power of color. Color intuitively…
