Four new green hotels that take only reservations, leave only memories
From a Mexican design retreat that runs entirely on solar power to an ambitious culinary destination hidden deep in the almost untouched forests of Montana, here are four of the best (and best-looking) new eco-hotels. Hotel Terrestre Puerto Escondido, Mexico Opened: February 2022 Nestled in …
This Brooklyn brownstone produces more energy than it consumes
A century in the past, a century in the future: that’s the purview Ruth Mandl and Bobby Johnston, married architects who run CO Adaptive Architecture, had when renovating their three-story townhouse in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. “We wanted to celebrate and respect the building’s …
How passive house design can take action against climate change
Twenty years ago, architect Katrin Klingenberg broke ground on the first passive house in the country. By 2009, there were about 10 passive house projects in the US; 250 in 2016. The Passive House Institute US (Phius)—the training and certification non-profit Klingenberg founded in 2002 …
Connected Sustainability: 5 Smart Home Technologies You Should Consider
Last year, humans threw away 63.3 million US tons of e-waste. And that number is on track to grow by 28 percent by the end of the decade, thanks to shorter product lifecycles, limited repair options and an insatiable appetite for electronics. So how do …
Will your new home be ready for the next chapter in clean energy?
Homebuyers in the US are facing a lack of housing supply, a problem that’s been over two decades in the making according to the National Association of Realtors. In 2021, just 15 percent of buyers purchased a newly built home. But the tide may be …
Tower of power: Can transmission pylons be redesigned?
If you’ve ever visited a suburban or rural area, chances are you have come across massive electrical towers. These tall metal structures are the backbone of the electric grid, and we will need to build more of them if we want renewable energy to reach …
Why are power outages increasing in the US, and what can be done about it?
The US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Electric Power Industry report provides some fascinating insight into the duration and frequency of power outages across regions and specific states. According to the latest data, the average American utility customer experienced over eight hours (492 minutes) of …
Is DC charging bad for EV batteries?
Charging a battery using its native current is not inherently harmful. …
LED holiday lights make awe-inspiring displays possible
Imagine stringing up 687,000 holiday lights outside your home…and only paying $350 in additional electricity costs. …
How to defend against rising energy costs this winter
Keeping your home toasty as the mercury drops this year will prove more expensive. How can increased grid independence (and a bit of weatherization) help keep more money in your pocket? …
