Custom homes discussions and local services.
Sustainable & Energy-Efficient Custom Homes
Learn how to build a custom home that is environmentally friendly and saves you money on energy bills. Discover passive solar design, efficient windows and HVAC systems, renewable energy options, sustainable materials, and smart home technology for energy management.
Forums in this category
Discussions
What should a solar-battery backup quote spell out?
A battery total isn’t very meaningful unless the proposal explains what stays on during an outage. Does it identify the backed-up circuits and state the runtime assumptions behind…
Finally tried smart plugs, not sure if they're worth it?
So I grabbed a few smart plugs on sale last month, figured I'd test the hype about cutting down energy use. Set them up for lamps, TV, and…
How can I tell whether high bills are behavior, HVAC settings, or an envelope problem?
I’m trying to figure out why utility use is higher than expected in a new energy-efficient home before paying for upgrades or assuming the efficiency claims were overstated.…
Keeping LEED records aligned when specified materials change
When a specified finish or insulation becomes unavailable, a readily available substitute may be the practical choice, but it can affect more than the appearance or installation details.…
Little-known ways to save water around the house
I just read somewhere that if you put a plastic bottle filled with sand or pebbles in your toilet tank, you can save a ton of water every…
Swapping grass for gravel: who’s actually done it?
Thinking about ditching my thirsty lawn for something way less needy. Have you swapped out your grass for rocks, mulch, or native plants? Or do you still like…
How should I budget window upgrades across different opening sizes?
I’m trying to build a realistic window allowance for a custom home instead of using one whole-house quote and hoping it’s comparable. The current plan has about 20…
What should I budget for whole-home energy monitoring in a new build?
I’m trying to set a realistic allowance for whole-home energy monitoring in a custom build. The plan includes heat pumps, EV charging, solar, battery storage, and electric water…
Thinking about ditching my thirsty lawn for something drought-friendly
Been staring at my sad, crispy lawn way too long now, and I'm seriously thinking it's time to just let go of the grass dream. Water bills are…
Finally built my ultra-efficient dream home
Just moved into our new place last month, and um, gotta say, the energy bills are blowing my mind - in a good way. We went all-in on…
