Skylights offer natural light in a home but account for a lot of heat loss and can cause problems in cold climates. Here are some tips for selection and installation. So are skylights a good or bad idea? It has been said that there are two kinds of skylights; those that leak, and those that are going to leak . This…

Slate tiles for finishing bathroom counter, floors and shower stalls. DIY video guide on how to lay tiles yourself We have finished the bathroom counter, floors and shower stalls with a dark slate tile. Slate is a natural stone, so its surfaces have more character and inconsistencies in texture - and at times…

The Lunos heat recovery ventilation system (HRV) is a completely new approach to home ventilation, great for both new home construction and renovations. Ductless HRV ERV ventilation for  renovations This heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system is very different than what people are probably used to seeing, where air…

Canada continues to demonstrate its progress in fighting climate change with 204 registered and 211 certified LEED projects in Canada between May and September 2015. This brings the current total number of LEED certified projects in Canada to 2,466. Canada continues to demonstrate its progress in fighting climate…

Ductless wall-insert air exchangers offer alternative to conventional HRV systems. Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) are an essential component of any air-sealed high performance home, bringing in fresh air and removing moistur e. An HRV uses the heat in stale exhaust air to warm incoming fresh air. Until now, this…

Looking for a non-toxic Flooring Material that is a renewable, sustainable & Eco-Friendly green flooring product choice? Try Cork. The pros and  cons of cork flooring Cork is a renewable resource, harvested from trees without killing them . Although it comes from far away (mostly Portugal), its carbon footprint from…

Drainage planes and air spaces: siding installation tips so your walls can dry. Siding installation The walls of your home are an environmental separator. Their job is to keep the inside in and the outside out. Exterior cladding or siding is your first line of defense against weather elements, and its job is to…

Register and complete this course before October 18th and be entered to win a Seaward Solar PV150 Test Kit ($2500 value). Register and complete this course before October 18th and be entered to win a Seaward Solar PV150 Test Kit ($2500 value)! Commissioning of a PV system is a critical step in ensuring that the…

Canada Green Building Council President Thomas Mueller calls Ecohome's Edelweiss House "A phenomenal achievement". A LEED Platinum home project overview As building rating systems drive building codes to greater levels of performance, the rating systems themselves need a periodic upgrade to stay ahead of the…

Better houses can be cheaper to live in from day one. Why build a less comfortable, and less efficient home if it actually costs more. Is it worth insulating a home past building code requirements? There are probably only two general desires we share when imagining a dream house - we all want the nicest one…

The fully off-grid Ecocapsule has its own micro-power generation and rainwater treatment system. If your fantasy is to live totally off the grid anywhere around the world, that dream just got one step closer to reality. Nice Architects just unveiled the first photos of their incredible egg-shaped Ecocapsule home…

Canadian aims to make home-grown greens accessible all year round. More and more people are informing themselves on various forms of urban farming to counteract the heavy ecological footprint of industrial agriculture. However, there are very few options for the increasing number of people wishing to get involved…

Removing dust, smoke, allergens like pollen and mold spores, viruses and contaminants using an effective air purification unit fitted with a proven HEPA filter improves air quality in homes and will improve the health of those living in the house. Indoor air quality is often worse inside homes than outside Indoor…

Understanding building science basics will help you design and build durable and efficient wall systems, in this instance LEED Platinum v4. LEED Platinum V4 Wall Design: Building Science The wall we designed for the Edelweiss house, Canada's first LEED Platinum V4 Home is best categorized as a 'REMOTE' wall, a high…

Study shows there are more factors at play beyond simply the R value of materials in determining the thermal performance of buildings. First published in ecoHouse Canada What does the R value of insulation mean? The thermal performance of wall assemblies and insulation products has long been characterized using…

Tips for window installation that will give you the best performance and durability. How to install windows correctly to avoid air or water leaks Watch more green building videos here The Edelweiss LEED Platinum V4 Demo House has been oriented towards the south to increase passive heat gain and reduce energy demand…

Canada cements its status as a world leader in the international green building and environmental sustainability movement. Washington, D.C. and Ottawa, ON — (July 22, 2015) — Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that Canada ranks first on USGBC's second annual ranking of the Top 10 Countries for…

Air leakage is responsible for a large portion of the heat loss and moisture damage in walls, reduce air leakage for durability and energy savings. The Ecohome Demo House has a vapor permeable exterior air barrier, and with an ACH rate of .69 it is  several times more airtight than the average new home. Air leakage…

Mineral wool batts being installed in roof for a total of R95 - contributing to a LEED Platinum V4 certification for Ecohome's Edelweiss House. Mineral wool roof insulation used to best effect: Watch more green building video on the Ecohome YouTube channel here The Ecohome's Edelweiss House LEED Platinum certified…