The practice of putting polyethylene vapor barriers in houses was intended to keep them dry, but it ends up keeping them wet. It's time to explore alternatives and to reconsider how to keep homes cool in summer. Vapor barrier + air-con = damp moldy walls So here's a little known fact that most HVAC installers won't…

Basement mold and mildew can easily be avoided with better designed walls. Common building practices trap moisture in wall assemblies preventing them from drying. That musty, moldy basement smell that we have come to accept as unavoidable, is actually quite avoidable. The solution is really quite simple - stop…

Solar panels good, coal-fired power plant electricity bad. If only it were that simple to choose. We discuss the best alternatives for producing your own power at home, from solar to wind turbines to generator bikes. Home energy generation, which option is best? How the electrical grid is fed near you will be a huge…

Kitchen cabinets can off-gas formaldehyde and countless other chemicals for years after they have been installed. Here is a price comparison of some Green Kitchen cabinet choices for better indoor air quality (IAQ). Green kitchen cabinets - why does it matter? To improve the air quality of your home , that's why…

Would you exercise for an hour every day if the workout powered your home for twenty-four hours? EcoHome investigates if Bike Generators cut the mustard. Mitigating climate change at home, get on your bike! As we look for ways to mitigate climate change , improving home energy efficiency and decentralising power…

Buildings & construction play a major part in climate change & biodiversity loss - nearly 40% of CO2 emissions - EcoHome signed the Pledge. Climate change & biodiversity loss are a fact - so what can we do? Climate change & biodiversity loss are the most serious issues we can have a positive impact on by changing…

Normally Homes & Indoor Spaces Should be Ventilated with Outdoor Air - But What Should we do when It's Smoky Outside? How to protect our Health when our high efficiency Homes have HRV, ERV or Central Aircon Systems. How to protect indoor air quality from smoke during wildfires in homes with HVAC? As we move towards…

It's impossible to choose the right electric car without first defining which EV is best for you depending on where you live, where you're driving to and what or who you're transporting. Buying an electric car (or EV) is on the increase For a lot of people though there's a nagging question in the back of everyone’s…

The tirst tiny house strata in Canada is officially approved in Okotoks Here at Ecohome we love Tiny Houses, which is probably why we have a full section devoted to Tiny Houses here! So, imagine how thrilled we were to hear that one of Canada's first official tiny houses full developments recently got official…

Ground covers & succulent plants offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional high maintenance lawn, the bonus is, bees love them too. Alternatives to grass lawns - ground covers! North American backyards have one main point in common – Kentucky blue grass. But here we’re talking about ground covers and…

Sustainable home landscaping has permeable surfaces, doesn't require a lot of watering, and ideally incorporates rainwater collection. Urban farming means you can eat what grows there, and that's even better. How to grow vegetables & fruits in a garden Plants survived long before humans were around to water them, so…

A new environmentally-friendly rigid foam insulation board made from cellulose nanocrystals is a viable alternative to Styrofoam - according to researchers at WSU. Current rigid foam insulation panel choices It would probably not come as a surprise to many people to hear that fiberglass insulation and rigid foam…

How to build decks with greater durability - permits, deck materials, railings, foundations & construction techniques for longer lasting decks including natural wood finishing oils & stains. Deck building tips for a durable deck construction: Meeting setbacks and getting building permits in Canada & US Raised Deck…

aka "Celebrate Earth Day every day, not just once a year! By spending our Money wisely We can make a difference to the planet our children will Inherit. Here at ecohome .net we’re all about promoting Better Construction with a helpful focus on the step-by-step “How To” of Designing, Specifying, Building or…

Hemp fibreboard cabinetry materials as an alternative to standard wood boards for kitchen cabinets - why it makes Eco-friendly sense. Hemp is a very sustainable construction material that is no longer just a fringe product; rather, it is becoming a more accessible mainstream building product, most notably as…

Building our Frost Protected Shallow Foundation slab on grade with Solar radiant floor heating powered by air tubes heated with air solar panels for our demo house - Ingenious! Ideal for boosting Passive House heating in cold climate zones. Why build a frost protected shallow foundation using prefabricated foam…

Things to look for when downsizing from a home to a smaller apartment or retirement home. Buying a house in retirement Are you planning to downsize, move closer to family, or relocate to your dream retirement destination? While changing homes is typically associated with younger adults, many seniors are making the…

Aerobarrier is a non-toxic acrylic spray that quickly and affordably seals air leaks in attics and homes. We cannot overstate the importance of airtightness in homes and attic rooms. A proper air barrier reduces heat loss in winter, overheating in summer, and prevents moisture build up in walls which can lead to…

How to find reliable green home builders in your region and what questions to ask them. How to find a certified green builder? First look in the Ecohome Professionals Directory for a green home builder in your area .  To find the right builder, h ere are some tips of what to look for and what to avoid. First, start…