Organic farming is his first love, but he also has a talent for energy-efficient home design and construction. When clients hire Bud Barta and his sons to build a top-quality home, they get advanced energy efficiency, too.

Builders say they will build what people want. Real estate professionals say they help people find the house that’s right for them. Overwhelmingly, home buyers say they want high-efficiency, healthy homes. So why is the market share of these homes so low? The obvious disconnect between the demand and the supply can only be corrected if consumers use their influence to move the market. Here’s how...

Some local community leaders claim that they have no power to address climate change. While it’s certainly a big topic to tackle, it’s clear that local efforts are essential to achieving global goals. In fact, many cities and counties are showing the way.

Natural disasters like the recent hurricanes of 2017 challenge us all. While natural disasters are intrinsically bad, they do present an opportunity to upgrade homes and buildings to a higher standard of performance – one that benefits the occupants, the community, and the planet as whole.

A post-fossil fuel world means transforming all our energy uses to electricity. Is this even possible? Yes, and here are the first steps to making this a reality.

Consumers want complete information to make informed choices. A survey of real estate professionals from around the U.S. identifies key information that could help boost sales of zero energy homes.

Thick walls hold lots of insulation, but there’s a nagging question about condensation in these cavities. I actually measured the moisture in a 10-inch, double-stud wall in my home in Central Oregon. Here’s what I found.

If your home or housing situation isn’t right for rooftop solar panels, don’t give up. By joining other solar enthusiasts, you can receive the benefits of solar energy no matter how shaded your home is.

I cleaned the dust off of my solar panels and saw a 6.8% increase in production. Is it really worth the trouble? That depends.

How can can costs be cut on the construction of affordable zero energy homes? This Habitat for Humanity zero energy home demonstration project documented $3,000 in construction cost savings.

Mike and Cindi O’Neil share some lessons from more than 20 years of building high-performance homes. Now the company specializes in zero energy homes. Learn what draws clients to them and how they have made energy efficiency their bread and butter.

Perhaps the biggest barriers to energy efficiency in multifamily buildings are not technology, but business and finance. A new handbook shows you the ins and outs of financing. Written for project owners and lenders, this guide includes many specific suggestions and examples.