News

Commuting

Modular EV battery swapping system makes EV battery filling as quick as gas powered vehicles

A San Francisco based startup named Ample seeks to shake up the electric car market with an interchangeable car battery for EVs. Ample is a new electric vehicle charging system which works by having robots quickly replace small modular battery packs in electric cars, getting them back on the road in a few minutes…

Products and Materials

Habitat for Humanity - building durable homes in California wildfire zones from ICF

Build with Strength is partnering with Habitat for Humanity International to supply the concrete for affordable and sustainable housing in 16 locations across the U.S. Due to the significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions that come with the production of Portland cement, Ecohome has long promoted alternatives to…

Health

Colorado state university research helping reduce over-use of antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health challenge, which is accelerated by the overuse of antibiotics worldwide. Increased antimicrobial resistance is the cause of severe infections, complications, longer hospital stays and increased mortality. After the last year I think we can all use some good news…

Climate Change

Carbon negative concrete goes into pioneering “green” CMU blocks – Quebec leads the way!

Carbon negative concrete CMU blocks, available soon across North Eastern America & Canada, a huge step forward & a significant impact to the carbon dioxide production of a standard cinder block or concrete masonry unit. Production just started in Quebec of a ground-breaking CMU block that is carbon-negative, thanks…

Policy and Regulations

Tiny Houses are going to be legal in Santa Cruz, California!

Tiny Homes, Tiny Houses on Wheels (or Thows), Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's), Coach Houses, these are all variations on a theme for affordable, less impactful homes. The main issue to date has been Building Code which was unfavorable to Tiny Homes. Living in a Tiny House in California is getting easier all the…

Climate Change

Our Top Home Building Trends for 2021!

With home construction trends for 2021 look towards Net Zero Energy homes, water efficiency, carbon neutral construction, eco friendly prefab kit houses and more - fueled by Government incentives, the future looks Green. After a look back at our predictions for green building trends in 2020 , we weren’t really far…

Products and Materials

The UK Competition and Markets Authority is investigating "Greenwashing" of Products - Good!

We dislike product "Greenwashing," so it's music to our ears that the CMA in the UK will investigate descriptions and labels used to promote products and services claiming to be ‘eco-friendly’ with Worldwide implications. So what is product Greenwashing? Greenwashing eh? Heard the one about the "Natural Insulation"…

Renovation

Efficiency Capital achieves Canada's first retrofit IREE certification

Toronto's Woodgreen Project leads the way for energy retrofits in affordable green housing in achieving the Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification. Efficiency Capital’s energy efficiency retrofit project across several WoodGreen Community Housing buildings is the first project in Canada to achieve the…

Commuting

California adds $1,500 incentive for new electric vehicles! Total state + fed incentives = up to $13.5K

Total state + federal incentives in California for buying or indeed leasing a new electric vehicle are now up to $13.5K. There's some good news (finally!) for the Californians among us who want to drive Electric Vehicles in 2020! As you may have already heard, California has created a “Clean Fuel Rewards” program…

Urban planning

Passive House reaches new heights in Vancouver Canada!

Ecohome has a number of awards for building groundbreaking sustainable homes, but Passive House projects on this scale are breathtaking in the way they are pushing the boundaries - Hats off to Architect Tom Wright. Vancouver, Canada established their place as a leader in reducing carbon footprints of cities and…

Renewable Energy

In 2019, renewable energy sources produced more power in the US than fossil fuels

In 2019, renewable energy sources accounted for the majority of power used in the US, the first time since 1885 that coal was not the country's main source of power. Energy generated by fossil fuels has dominated the globe for generations . Some countries have pushed for a faster transition to cleaner fuels than…