At Home Energy: Hydro

At Home Energy: Hydro

Much like the sun, water also offers many opportunities that can save money and the environment. If you are similar to the vast majority of the population you don’t have a river or waterfall in your backyard to utilize a hydroelectric power generator (which can be extremely costly even if you do). These easy water hacks will hopefully give you a refreshing outlook on the power of water and what natural resources can do for you.

  • Rainwater has plenty of natural nutrients and is relatively very pure, a quick and easy way to cut down on your water bills is to use rainwater to hydrate your plants. In the solar portion of the series, we discussed the importance of growing your own food, now you can harvest healthier water for that food without worrying about a water bill. According to Good Earth Plant Company, rainwater will even clear out the pores on plant leaves, improving their ability to breathe in carbon dioxide.
  • Rainwater can even be used to water pets and livestock. Mass amounts of water go towards the upkeep and care of farm animals and wildlife, a dent can be made in this exceedingly large bill by collecting rainwater in cisterns!
  • Aside from collecting rainwater, there are several things that can be done in the home to conserve water and minimize your water bill. One of the biggest things you can do is make your showers shorter. According to Friends of the Earth, we use 4.5 gallons of water for every minute we shower, so consider setting a timer on your phone the next time you shower!
  • Save up your laundry! Hold off on doing loads of laundry and dishes until you have a full load. Running one large load of dishes or laundry conserves more water than running several smaller ones. Plus you get the benefit of not doing as much housework every week. Plus washing your clothes and dishes together is fun – just kidding, wanted to make sure you were still reading.

 

At Home Energy: Solar

At Home Energy: Solar

As the desire to utilize green energy grows, the tools to harness it expand as well. As the options continue to expand the price for green energy continues to drop. Anyone who has had the tiniest interest in solar panels knows just how good of an investment they can be for your home or business, but there is a high economic bar to get started. This series strives to shine some light (pun intended) on different ways solar energy can be used to save you money and save our planet.

  • A simple life-change you can do to utilize the energy from the sun is using a clothesline. This not only saves you the energy from using your dryer but is also gentler on your clothes and even removes stubborn odors embedded in the fabric. According to Efficiency, the sun even whitens your whites, acting as a natural bleach by sanitizinbg your clothes.
  • Another way to utilize the suns energy is through growing your own food! This is definitely a solution for those with patience and maybe a green thumb. Purchasing fruits and vegatables from a grocery store has a hidden environmental cost that we don’t always consider. Long distance transportation of produce contributes heavily to fossil fuel emissions, you also receive the benefit of knowing what you are spraying on your plants. You don’t even need a yard to accomplish this, just a few pots of soil, some seeds, and of course sunlight!
  • In extreme situations the suns light can also be used to purify water. When water is in a clear container and exposed to sunlight the UV radiation will eliminate any parasites, or bacteria! According to the Koshland Science Museum the water will need to sit for up to six hours in direct sunlight, and two days if particularly cloudy. While we might not use this hack everyday, it can save lives when clean water is not accesible.
Brooder House

Brooder House

We love working with the Brethren Mennonite Heritage Center to preserve our local history and enhance the campus for generations to come. This past summer they approached us to design a brooder house to honor the rich history of the poultry industry in our area. Chick brooders, also called broiler houses, are wood-framed structures set on sleds to allow for moving them. They are heated and are used for chicks until about six weeks old. This concept was started right here in the Shenandoah Valley 100 years ago.


Brooder houses were developed by the Wampler family in the early 1920s for growing turkeys. This replica structure that we design in collaboration with JZ Engineering will be slightly larger than a traditional brooder house for purposes of telling the history of the structure and allowing for tour groups to move through. We used photos provided by the Wampler family to get the “details” just right for the structure. 


The Brooder house is in process of construction using volunteer labor. If you are interested in supporting the Brethren Mennonite Heritage Center by swinging a hammer or donating to their efforts – check out their website here!

Hillcrest House

Hillcrest House

The Hillcrest project took shape through the pandemic with a lot of changes happening in our industry and how we communicate. These new stressors that were added to this process tested our systems, and I believe made the Hillcrest House and our design systems even stronger. The first key ingredient to making this an amazing project is the phenomenal clients willing to give grace, and take time to get the house design just right in the midst of a global pandemic. The second was working with a contractor, Herr and Company, that was willing to be flexible with the design process to help us hit the target for aesthetic and budget goals.


As the project takes shape, we are thrilled that our clients will enjoy a home designed around their specific goals for life here in Harrisonburg. The aging-in-place and energy-efficient features incorporated in the home’s design will provide comfort and flexibility for years to come. While the grade of the site proved to be a challenge we adapted and created solutions to overcome while staying true to the client’s vision for their dream home.


With every project, there are challenges along the way, working with an experienced architect and contractor who understand building science can help reduce stress and improve the final results.

Quality Design Could Save Your Life -Ductwork & Insulation

Quality Design Could Save Your Life -Ductwork & Insulation

Quality Ductwork for your heating and cooling system is a key factor when it comes to having healthy air in your home. There are many different things one can do to ensure the air you are breathing is healthy, sealed ductwork is the most important. It not only protects your home from pollen, dander, and fungi that come with unfiltered air, it can often leave your home feeling stuffy. Sealed ductwork in a properly designed HVAC system works by pushing clean filtered air throughout your home helping to keep your home safe and healthy for occupants.

Insulation that is air-tight also works to protect the air you breathe. You have probably heard you don’t want to build a house “too tight.” Well, that is correct in that you want to make sure all the gaps and cracks leading to moisture issues and bad air quality are sealed and your HVAC system is bringing in the appropriate amount of clean filtered air.

Ductwork and insulation function as not only a filter from the outside air, but helps secure the building envelope by keeping the air clean and the home warm during the cold winter months. According to Energy.gov, these two crucial elements can also save you money on your energy bills. The upkeep of these features is just as important as having them in your home. Insulation wants to stay dry and free of insects and critters. Your duct system wants to be sealed and free from furniture or other obstructions that could stop the flow of filtered air into the home.

As the pandemic progresses the need for healthy, filtered air is becoming more and more clear to homeowners. This is why it is so important for your home to be built with building science at the forefront of design.