Historic preservation
A preservation expert shares how to restore an older home economically and energy efficiently.
Some call it a "dome home," but the technical term is a geodesic dome.
A geodesic design uses triangles to create a super-strong sphere structure. The shape encloses the most amount of space with the least amount of materials, making these homes very economical and earth-friendly.
The most famous geodesic dome in the world is "Spaceship Earth" at Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park.
The freestanding dome shape allows tremendous flexibility in the placement of walls and the size and shape of rooms. Nooks and crannies can be used for storage and play space.
The high open ceiling provides great ventilation and bright sunlight all day long. In the summer, warm air rises along the curved walls and escapes through windows in the top of the dome, providing natural air conditioning.
A preservation expert shares how to restore an older home economically and energy efficiently.
Structural insulated panels, also called SIPs, foam-core panels or stress-skin panels, are significantly more airtight than stud walls.
Your roof and attic play the most crucial role in your home's energy efficiency system, reducing your energy costs during the winter and summer.
New, energy-efficient homes need new solutions to circulate and ventilate the air inside the home.
When building your new home, don't forget about the importance of energy-conserving products like furnaces, air conditioners and appliances.
Using the sun's stored energy to heat your home reduces your conventional energy consumption.