“It is not your mother’s light bulb anymore. Most of us grew up with the 60-watt light bulb in our lamps and the smaller 40-watt light bulb in the refrigerator. Seniors recall the big silver-tipped bulbs, 200 or 300 watts, that were part of the white ring fixtures in schools. Then, when I was a child I saw a new kind of light, fluorescent tubes, used in schools and work places to save energy and provide even light,” claims Kay Newell (the Light Bulb Lady), owner of Sunlan Lighting, Inc., North... more

Two friends who wanted to save some really great wood from winding up in the landfill started Viridian Wood Products. It was that simple. When my business partner, Pierce Henley, moved into his current home in Scappoose he found a pile of discarded hardwood in his new yard. On the surface it didn’t look like much, but just beneath the rough exterior he found amazing beauty, and he began to use it for all sorts of projects around the house. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

This year is the 10th anniversary of Build It Green! The tour sparks the imagination, provides resources, and presents green remodeling ideas. Ever since the first event in 2002, approximately 1000 do-it-yourselfers, contractors, students, homeowners, and renters buy tickets every September for the tour. Build It Green! is presented each year by the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. This year’s tour will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011, from 11 am to 5 pm. Twenty-two... more

On average 25% to 50% of energy used in a home goes right out the window — literally. In most homes, windows provide the biggest openings between indoor and outdoor air, and they provide the biggest opportunity for valuable energy to escape. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Most “green” building homeowners won’t admit it, but they love showing off their houses to family and friends. A lucky few will have a chance to be in the coveted Build It Green! Home Tour, where they can share the green building gospel with casual acquaintances. So a house built simply for a yearlong showcase offers a unique opportunity for green-building enthusiasts. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) offer a perfect opportunity to test your hand at an energy-efficient or sustainable structure. Small in size but large in environmental significance, the ADU helps to reinforce the community nature of the neighborhood, and as such should be in harmony with its surroundings. While this doesn’t mean you have to build a mini-earthship or use a recycled shipping container, an ADU can be a miniature example of the most advanced sustainability models. This is just... more

The inside of your home may not be as healthy as you think. Recent facts suggest that we as a population, especially children, are sicker today than ever before, with more instances of asthma, leukemia and autism. These statistics are even higher among low-income families. Although other factors including diet and exercise contribute to these problems, consumers need to be more aware of the materials and products they have in their homes. The following ten home features can influence the health of... more

If you’re looking at building green, the options can be confusing. In the Northwest alone, there are multiple green building programs for new homes, green rating systems for new homes and remodels, energy efficiency standards, and beneficial new technologies and equipment to consider. Earth Advantage Institute's display house featuring products and building materials. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →