Why Build Green Free Newsletter

Solar? Wind? Geothermal? Whoa, Back up!

Before you start thinking about the big, exciting but more expensive ways to save energy, money, and oh yea, be saved from the world burning up, let's step back in time. Our ancestors in their log cabins, caves and other very drafty dwellings tried to stop the cold wind from blowing through by stuffing mud and straw between the logs or rags in the cracks in the walls.  They used whatever they had. Although nowadays our spaces and cracks are usually much smaller, the average house has a 2 square foot hole in it, if you add up all the little gaps. That's a lot of your expensive heat leaking out! Before you gather up the rags and dig up the mud, and mix in the straw... Know that there are easier ways to save energy and be more comfortable.  Sign up for my newsletter and I'll share these tips with you.

Here's a tip; I had a friend whose wife complained for years about a cold drafty living room. He was a consultant to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, very smart, made six figures, and that was about 20 years ago. I asked him if they ever used their fireplace. No, never, he said. I looked up and, yes, it was wide open and apparently had been for years. it can happen to any of us, overlooking the easy obvious answer right in front of us. So look around; any windows not completely closed, and locked? Remember to check the storm windows too. Unused rooms? Close them up and put a draft stopper under the door, a rolled up towel, piece of pipe wrap insulation, or buy a cute one.

Check back here for the oldest and latest ways to save money and reduce extreme weather events. Send your questions to john@whybuildgreen.net and I'll answer them in this newsletter.

"Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it". (Who said that?)