Articles

The Eco-Friendly Warmth of Masonry Heaters

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 21:02:00 GMT

When it comes to heating our homes, most of us want the same things: warmth, comfort, and a system that doesn’t cost the Earth—literally. That’s where masonry heaters come in. Masonry heaters are timeless, ultra-efficient stoves that are not just cozy, they’re an efficient, low carbon alternative to other heating equipment – including traditional wood stoves. Last winter, SEEDS EcoCorps and Bungalow Builders worked hard to construct the intricate internal parts and external facade of a new masonry heater inside of the SEEDS Workshop located in Historic Barns Park.

Healthy Home Heating

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

As the temperature drops and we begin to spend more time indoors, we have creature comfort needs to maintain a reasonable temperature. The “Sick Building Syndrome” takes a strong foothold this time of year. How we choose to heat our homes determines both our comfort as well as the level of indoor air quality.

The Various Shades of Green: Working Towards A Sustainable Way Of Building

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

More and more people are becoming aware of the negative environmental impacts that current building practices perpetuate and are striving to make choices that promote personal and planetary health.

To Breathe or Not to Breathe; Concerns Over Indoor Air Quality

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

The long winters in our part of the country can often lead to a host of complaints like cabin fever, lethargy, headaches, allergies and other respiratory ailments.

Electromagnetism: Myth, Madness or Reality; EMF’s and a Healthy House

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Electromagnetic fields ( EMF’s) are one of the most basic building blocks of the natural universe. The electromagnetic spectrum is huge and covers everything from gamma and x-rays to light, radio and microwaves. Today, the term EMF commonly refers to the variety of electromagnetic field produced by the electric currents in our power lines, household wiring and appliances. This is what we will concentrate on here.

Breathing Walls...This House is Alive

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

The energy crisis of the 1970’s prompted a trend towards making buildings more airtight. As a result, these “modern”, well-sealed homes have an air exchange rate of only once every five hours or longer. Problems with stale air are compounded by the thousands of chemicals from building materials that off-gas inside the house. Building Science tells us that the human body requires between one and two air changes per hour to maintain vitality, regenerate body cells and eliminate environmental toxins.

Blessed Be a Sunny House

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

In the good old days when life was simpler, building a house was also simpler. With our feet planted on the earth, we looked around for available materials. We knew about the movement of the heavenly bodies, particularly the sun and the moon.

V-O-C is not another Seattle Grunge Band

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Hey! ... Yo!

V-O-C’s causes S-B-S and gives you M-C-S…a huh, a huh.

Eco-Renovation: Recycling or Toxic Madness

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Many of the articles here are devoted to some very explicit technical information related to green building and healthy housing. In this feature we depart from that cutting edge techno-rap to talk about our experience of remodeling an older home in Benzie County.

The Opportunities of Sustainability, The Dangers of Greenwashing

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 18:45:00 GMT

Those of us in the building industry are facing some harsh realities these days regarding resource use.

To Have a Roof over our Heads

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 18:43:00 GMT

When renovating our own home we were lamenting the fact that we had to compromise our green building ideals by choosing asphalt shingles to roof our house. So, what’s wrong with the ubiquitous shingle, you ask?

Sustainability as a Lifestyle

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 18:48:00 GMT

There are those of us who have a serious passion for something in life, a cause to die for, so to speak. We are trailblazers who will go the extra mile to see a project, dream or issue through.

Lime; Remembering an Old Friend

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 18:54:00 GMT

Once again, when examining our sustainability choices for buildings, it is instructive to review the architectural legacy left by our ancestors. What works, endures and poses little or no environmental hazards?

Nature’s Best Air Purifiers

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 18:50:00 GMT

Keeping our indoor spaces 100% pollution free with the freshest possible air is a difficult proposition. As always, we need only to look towards nature for clues.

Green Building for World Peace

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Written shortly after the World Trade Center in New York City was destroyed in a terrorist attack on 9/11/2001; this piece was published shortly thereafter in the Healing Garden Journal.