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There are two components to the net-zero house energy equation. On the one hand, there’s conservation: The house needs to be designed and built to require minimal inputs of energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and plug loads. On the other hand, there’s on-site power generation: No house uses zero power, so to reach net zero, the house has to generate some of its own juice using photovoltaics. In practice, net-zero houses generate surplus energy during summer months when days are long and the sun is high in the sky, and they consume power from off-site during winter months (and, of...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced new, tighter standards for lead in dust on floors and window sills to protect children from potentially harmful effects of lead exposure. The announcement comes almost a year after the agency influentially recommended tighter dust-lead hazard standards. The agency is lowering the dust-lead hazard standards to 10 micrograms of lead per square foot (µg/ft2) from 40 µg/ft2 for floors and to 100 µg/ft2 from 250 µg/ft2 for window sills. The more protective hazard standards will apply to inspections, risk assessments, and abatement activities in pre-1978 housing and certain schools, child care facilities,...

This article originally appeared on the BUILDER website. Whether for cooking or entertaining, kitchens serve an important role in today’s households. To see what cabinets, counters, appliances, and overall trends homeowners are looking for right now, BUILDER staff sat in on Metrostudy and Meyers Research’s Consumer Insight Series on kitchen and bath trends. In the hour-long webinar, Mollie Carmichael, consumer segmentation expert and principal at Meyers Research, gave industry professionals valuable insight into what is shaping kitchen design now and in the future. 1. Bring in the light: Instead of adding upper cabinetry, owners are seeking windows, and complementing open shelving, that allow...

The days are getting warmer, and summer will be here before you know it. If you’ve decided that your deck needs to be stained or sealed, then it’s important to take the time now to do it right so you can enjoy the beautiful, worry free new finish on your deck. With all of the activity your deck will see this summer, you will want to make sure that it is properly protected from the foot traffic, barbecues and exposure to the elements ahead. Below we have included some tips to ensure that you will be able to stain your...

With summer right around the corner, there’s no doubt you’ll be having a lot of fun in your backyard this season.  Since you’re going to be throwing all sorts of parties from barbecues to bonfires, take some time to revamp your deck and give it a new look. Each year, the elements and overall wear and tear will weather your deck and change its appearance. If you can’t see take a closer look and browse old photos from previous parties or from when you first purchased your home.  Restoring your deck this summer is something everyone can do themselves. With...