Mary James

Refining Straw Bale R-values

Author: Mary James

archive CONTENT

March 01, 1999

A new test of the thermal performance of a wall built with 19-inch straw bales laid flat revealed that the wall had an R-value of 27.5. [continue reading]

New ASHRAE Ventilation Standard

Author: Mary James

archive CONTENT

May 01, 1999

Ventilation in the housing stock accounts for one-third to one-half of the space conditioning load, primarily through uncontrolled air leakage. [continue reading]

California Building Codes Change

Author: Mary James

archive CONTENT

May 01, 1999

Last November, the California Energy Commission approved the 1998 version of the Alternative Calculation Methods (ACM) section of Title 24, which regulates the energy efficiency performance of new residential construction. [continue reading]

A California Earthen Home

Author: Mary James

archive CONTENT

May 01, 1999

In the Wine Country of Northern California, where July and August daytime temperatures are dependably in the 90s and can top 100°F, building a 6,000 ft2 home and not installing air conditioning seems naive. [continue reading]

Easy Mortgages with Energy Rated Homes of Vermont

Author: Mary James

archive CONTENT

July 01, 1999

Interested in a mortgage for energy-efficient home improvements, but bewildered by the process? If you live in Vermont, you're in luck. Energy Rated Homes of Vermont (ERH-VT) has set up a one-stop service to streamline the approval of energy improvement mortgages (EIMs). [continue reading]

Affordable Comfort Reaches New Heights

Author: Mary James, Louis Rasky, Unknown Author and Colleen Turrell

archive CONTENT

September 01, 1999

The annual Affordable Comfort conference, which took place this spring in Chicago, was an occasion to indulge in information overload and have a bit of fun. [continue reading]

More Money for Green Houses

Author: Mary James

archive CONTENT

November 01, 1999

Financing that dream green home may be getting easier. [continue reading]

Easy Mortgages with Energy Rated Homes of Vermont

Author: Mary James

archive CONTENT

July 01, 1999

Interested in a mortgage for energy-efficient home improvements, but bewildered by the process? If you live in Vermont, you're in luck. [continue reading]