House & Home

Going Green

Septic Rx

Bacteria are very hard-working little buggers.  There are trillions of bacteria in your stomach and intestines. They digest your food, protect you from infections, and generally maintain a healthy total-body balance.  A lack of diversity […]
Going Green

Plan Landscape Shading with Fast-Growing Trees

The critical exposures of a building in the northern hemisphere are those facing south and west. They receive the most direct sunlight in the summer and account for a majority of the building’s heating load. […]
Going Green

Radiator Maintenance Tasks

This category includes radiators, convectors, baseboard heaters, and finned-tube units—anything that circulates hot water or steam for space-heating purposes. Some of the simple things that help to keep them operating at their best: Remove any […]
Going Green

Add Attic Insulation

Older buildings were designed at a time when energy was inexpensive, and it may not have been economical to provide (what is now considered) an effective amount of insulation. A good portion of the envelope […]
Going Green

Attic Ventilation Fan

The attic can reach 150 F on a hot summer afternoon – double the ambient temperature!  That puts a huge load on the air conditioning.  You can add insulation to the attic floor (which also […]