The median size of a new home in the U.S. now stands at a record 2,435 square feet, almost 1,000 square feet bigger than in 1973. You could almost fit a second house into 1,000 square feet, though it would have to a small one. The data comes to us from the U.S. Census, which […]
How To Reduce Your Phantom Power Consumption
When your TV, computer, cellphone charger, and other appliances are plugged in, they are quietly using electricity. The federal government estimates that phantom power consumption accounts for 5 to 10 percent of residential energy use, costing the average household $100 per year. Because I test most the products in the exhibit at home, my “useless” […]
Reviewing Major Home Automation Protocols
Major Home Automation Protocols This is another question that gets asked a lot at the Life-Changing Products Exhibit: What’s the difference between the major home automation protocols? Here’s a quick rundown of the major technologies and how they work. Wi-Fi. Many new gadgets to hit the market rely on your home Wi-Fi network. They typically […]
The New New Home
My first book, The New, New Home, was published in late April 2014 by The Taunton Press. It was named the book of the year by the National Association of Real Estate Editors. The book demystifies the new-home buying process and provides guidance to potential home buyers who want to buy a new home that […]
10 Ways to Protect the Security of Connected Home Products
Take a few precautionary steps to protect your connected home system from hackers and viruses
New Town Builders Markets Zero-Ready Homes
Gene Myers ran dozens of computer simulations before he found the best way to build net-zero homes that met his tough, self-imposed criteria. Each year, the CEO of New Town Builders conducts a research exercise designed to produce a new series of extremely energy-efficient homes. New Town Builders offers Zero-Ready homes with a HERS of […]
Everything Old Seems New at Taliesin West
No matter what trends monopolize attention in current home design and construction, they seem to be played out in Wright’s buildings done many moons before.
EcoVillage Pioneers Net Zero Homes
EcoVillage Ithaca, a co-housing community founded on the premise of sustainable living, is one place where the concept of net-zero “ready” homes should work.