Category Archives: cds_blog

Friends, if you have not attended the GREEN by DESIGN event presented by Austin Energy Green Building, the you must consider it! This day seminar is a quarterly event for Austinites preparing to build, buy or remodel a home and … Continue reading →

We have been shocked and saddened by the damage caused by the Central Texas fires this month. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by the fire. We are very grateful for those who were … Continue reading →

For decades, the construction industry has had one main way of dealing with drainage; drain the water to the street. And for decades, storm drains have sent water to our local creeks and rivers downstream to the next city who … Continue reading →

Here are some helpful factoids about Mercury and CFL’s (compact fluorescent lamps) – Coal-fired power plants are the largest man-made source of mercury because mercury that naturally exists in coal is released into the air when coal is burned to … Continue reading →

When building or remodeling a home, the mechanical system will play a big role in it’s overall comfort and energy efficiency. No matter what the type of heating and cooling system you choose to install, installing correctly sized equipment is … Continue reading →

In the years I have been designing homes, specifically remodels, I have been eyes to many different homes, styles, lifestyles and people. The pattern I have noticed is that the retiring baby boomers are often sizing up in their retirement … Continue reading →

Last fall we asked BMC to audit my home and invited our readers to observe the process. We would like to share with you how the process was that day and our results! Basic Energy Audits are required for home … Continue reading →

Over the last few years, many people have found value in buying pre-owned items from clothing to household items to furniture. Some of the most enjoyable moments in buying used is when you find something far better than you would … Continue reading →

Insulation is an important component of comfortable, efficient buildings. While many people remember hearing about it quite a bit after the 1970s energy crisis’s, it’s history goes back a little farther than you might think. Waaay back, because in Ancient … Continue reading →

In recent newsletters we have discussed energy audits and ventilation and their relationship to maintaining comfort and good indoor air quality. The next step is to weatherize your home, which can help address air infiltration – the “bad” ventilation – … Continue reading →