Smart Grid on Trial

by Karen Haywood Queen | Aug 6, 2010 | HowTo, Innovative Technology, Smart Home

Smart Grid trials swapped old meters for Smart Meters. Across the country, utilities are testing different aspects of Smart Grid, “Some utilities are focused on making sure their grid operates more efficiently,” says Katherine Hamilton, president of GridWise...

The Smart Grid

by Karen Haywood Queen | Aug 5, 2010 | HowTo, Innovative Technology, Smart Home

The Smart Grid will change the way we use and monitor energy. When you get home from work tonight you’ll likely turn on several lights, adjust your thermostat and turn on music and/or your TV. You also may turn on the oven, start a load of laundry, jump in the...

Internet Options in the Home

by Benjamin Hardy | Nov 17, 2008 | HowTo, Innovative Technology, Personal Computers

According to statistics from the International Telecommunications Union and the Neilsen/NetRatings, the percentage of Americans with an Internet subscription has increased from 44.1 percent in 2000 to 72.5 percent in 2008. The current number of Internet users in the...

Concrete Forms for Floors, Roofs and Decks

by Benjamin Hardy | Apr 25, 2007 | Building Systems, HowTo, Innovative Technology

Expanded polystyrene deck forms are placed and reinforced with steel rebar before the concrete is poured. Improved building systems and components are constantly being introduced to increase the appeal of concrete-home construction. Stay-in-place forms for concrete...

Versatile Concrete Construction Using ICF’s

by Jim Flasch | Feb 1, 2007 | Building Systems, HowTo, Innovative Technology

ICF’s, or insulated concrete forms, were developed more than 30 years ago as builders sought new ways to build tighter and safer homes. Approximately 100,000 concrete homes are built with ICF’s each year and, according to the Portland Cement Association,...

Modular Homes Make Sense

by Benjamin Hardy | Dec 17, 2004 | Building Systems, HowTo, Innovative Technology

Modular homes are like the hybrid car of the house-building industry. They save money, they make sense, but they haven’t caught on yet. General misconceptions keep many from considering going modular, and the confusion between modular homes and manufactured...