Turning a Barn Into an Energy-Smart House

Utility worker with an electric meter

Before you break ground on a new house, give your utility companies a call. They can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and construction delays.

Trombe wall on the interior of a home

Using the sun's stored energy to heat your home reduces your conventional energy consumption.

Boy and grandmother on front porch

A preservation expert shares how to restore an older home economically and energy efficiently.

Graphic of heating and cooling circulating through a house

Our four-part series explores how to handle comfort issues in a new home.

Building materials, blueprints and paint chips

More builders are offering sustainable choices in new home construction. Find out what's available and how it impacts the earth and the bottom line.

Cross section of a structural insulated panel

Structural insulated panels, also called SIPs, foam-core panels or stress-skin panels, are significantly more airtight than stud walls.

Insulated concrete forms in the ground

An insulated concrete form (ICF) system eliminates the cold drafts typical of wood-frame construction.

Mom and daughters playing in leaves

When building your new home, don't forget about the importance of energy-conserving products like furnaces, air conditioners and appliances.

Geodesic dome home

A geodesic design uses interconnected triangles to create a strong, environmentally friendly structure.

Turning a barn into an energy-smart home