INFO HEART OF A BUILDING, llc

John Avenson Residential Project, Westminster, Colorado | At 9 years old John became interested in the concept of green building on a family tour of the Colorado Indian Cliff Dwellings, where the park ranger told him that the Indians dug their caves on the side of the cliff as the winter sun kept them warm. The Avenson Residence, a single-family, detached, three-bedroom home, was built in 1981 as a research house by the Solar Energy Research Institute [SERI, the forebearer…

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Better Buildings Better Society Podcast

June 1, 2022

We were thrilled to kick off June on the Better Buildings Better Society podcast. You can watch and listen here or head to their YouTube channel and see this and other great episodes. Don’t forget to subscribe! Please let us know if you have questions or would like more information about anything you heard here! From the show notes: “Without a question, we need better airtightness and better insulation. That is the best place to spend your dollars,” shares Paul…

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Can it Pass the Blower Door Test?

May 11, 2022

Even if a house looks sustainable, you have to ask, “Can it pass the blower door test?” Watch our host and founder conduct a simple blower door test on his new home to test the home’s energy efficiency. This test could tell you a lot about air leaks, where ice dams may form and give you a clue about why your energy bills are higher.

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The Ins and Outs of Energy Efficient Windows

May 7, 2022

If you are building a new home or looking to make your home more energy-efficient, you may be thinking about windows. Up to 30% of household energy is lost through windows, and depending on age and maintenance, losses can amount to much more. Energy-efficient windows can be a costly investment, so understanding which windows are suitable for your home is essential and not relatively as easy as one, two, three. Here’s the rundown on energy-efficient window basics. Getting to know…

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Online Event: Beating the Climate Crisis by Laura Nettleton

April 21, 2022

Heart of a Building is not involved in this event, but we highly recommend attending to learn more Laura and her projects We Can’t Change the World Outside Us Without Changing the World Within Us April 28, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (est) via Zoom In this online talk, Laura Nettleton will discuss the insights she’s gained from 35 years in in sustainability practice as well as the changes that cultures need to make in order to thrive. She will…

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Making You, Your Home, and Your Office Gentler on Mother Earth!

April 11, 2022

With Earth Day fast approaching, many are looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint and save money. Fortunately, no matter the age of your home or office, there are lots of small changes that will yield significant results when it comes to being kind to the planet and your wallet at the same time. Changing anything about your existing home or office takes money and/or “sweat-equity,” so understanding that investing a little bit of your time, efforts and/or money…

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Climate Action Homes on KGNU

April 11, 2022

Check out Joan Gregerson, founder of Virtual Green Summit and Green Team Academy share about Her new venture in “Climate Action Real Estate.”

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How to Use Water More Efficiently at Home

March 21, 2022

With climate change impacting weather patterns worldwide, resource efficiency is at the forefront for environmentally inclined homeowners’ builders and developers. This is especially true for water; if recent years have taught us anything, it’s that water is a precious resource that can’t be taken for granted. A recent CNN article noted, “Global scientists reported in August that because of the climate crisis, droughts that may have occurred only once every decade or so now happen 70% more frequently.” In the…

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Ep 11: Heart of a Building Series on PBS with Paul Kriescher

March 7, 2022

Energy Efficient Building, New Episodes

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Imagine homes that are constructed to be super energy-efficient, with attention to optimizing the details from materials, to landscape, air quality, and comfort. In this episode, we’ll sit down with Paul Kriescher, producer of the Heart of a Building television series.

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Keeping Your Home Warm and Energy Efficient in Colder Months

February 23, 2022

Energy Efficient Building, Energy Efficient Home