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Happy Home Blog

Happy Home Blog2023-10-07T12:07:25-07:00

Our blogs feature all things home remodeling, design and build with wide-flung interpretation. Here we cover design concepts for kitchens, bathrooms, and home additions. We also cover green building, building science and building materials. In the wider-flung reaches we cover urban design, the psychology of happiness and celebrations of those things. We are also happy to take and answer your questions.

Check out the recent articles written about us:

 

Learning from the Past: Breezeways

What other building types and techniques from the past can direct our development of green building? Let’s take a look at the “dog run” or “dogtrot” house. This type of building contained two separate rooms or structures that were connected by a single large roof. The connection created a breezeway or “dogtrot” between the structures that pulled cooler air through the space and created a pleasant, covered outdoor area.

Learning from the Past: Thermal Mass Walls

It is often said that learning from the past helps us avoid future mistakes. Could it be possible that techniques and constructions methods for homes 100 years ago could help shape and guide our green building ideas of today?

Transforming Single-Family Homes: Connection

There was a recent article in the opinion section of the New York Times that very poignantly identified the need for changes in the housing industry, especially the rising need for thinking-outside-of-the-box in regard to single-family homes. What are some changes in designing that should take place? And how can these changes be beneficial to you, your community, and the environment?

“Green” Your Home: Remodels and Repairs

Remodeling is a great opportunity to “green” your home. It’s just another reminder that you don’t have to build a completely new home to make it environmentally conscious and efficient. Take for example an article in the Journal of Light Construction yesterday. It discussed how the decision to replace siding on a 120-year-old home in Massachusetts turned into an opportunity to add insulation to the home and make it more thermally (and there for energy) efficient.

Cutting Useless Energy Use

Practically anything you leave plugged in uses energy even when it isn’t on. Some devices that bring up digital displays when they’re turned off draw in more energy than when they are on! So, how can you stop this useless use of energy that gets added to your utility bill without breaking your back by unplugging every single plug?

Creating a Healthy, Happy Home Environment (Part 7)

One person can produce up to 5 lbs of trash per day - -meaning a potential 1,900 lbs per year! Just imagine if all of this accumulated inside your home at one time! As much as you don’t like taking the garbage out, it seems preferable to the alternative. Keeping your trash bags in a closeable garbage can is an easy way to prevent vermin and stray animals from tearing into the bags. Scattered trash will not only invite more vermin to snoop around, but will also most likely end up in storm drains and sewers which will eventually litter local bodies of water.

Creating a Healthy, Happy Home Environment (Part 6)

During the blistering summers, we thank our lucky stars that air conditioning has become a staple in our homes. However, as air circulates through a home it can bring along unwanted passengers – namely infectious respiratory diseases, dust, and fungi. But you can take measures to reduce and even prevent the spread of bacteria and small particles through your A/C system.

Creating a Healthy, Happy Home Environment (Part 5)

Our earth contains a lot of water, but only a small percentage of it is freshwater used for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. By being aware of how you can keep this water free of pollutants, you can take steps to improve your family’s health and the health of everyone and everything in your community.

Creating a Healthy, Happy Home Environment (Part 4)

No one likes pests in their home, and rightly so. Our homes, after all, are our sanctuaries. But it’s important to be aware that the sprays we buy to kill fleas, ants, flies, and other insect pests, can also be potentially harmful to us. But, careful use of these products can rid your home of annoying pests without side effects to your family’s health.Volatile Organic Compounds found in household products can also be harmful if inhaled in high doses. By doing a little research before replacing carpet or repainting, you and your contractor can select products with low VOC levels.

Creating a Happy, Healthy Home Environment (Part3)

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuels, such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, and charcoal, are burned. Carbon Monoxide is also extremely toxic in high doses. Radon is another harmful gas that originates from the breakdown of uranium. This gas seeps into soil, rock, and water sources and can enter your home through cracks and openings in your foundation. Find out what you can do to prevent hazardous exposure to both these gases for a healthy home.

Creating a Healthy, Happy Home Environment (Part1)

Since many of us are inside for the majority of the day, it’s important to be aware of pollutants from household items. After identifying sources of pollutants, you can eliminate or reduce their presence to improve the air quality of your home. This is a reason that you and your contractor should be in the know about the types of materials and emissions in products such as carpet or paint whenever you have changes made to your home.

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