Concrete slab edge insulation is one my hot topics. It seems to spark debate, firstly about if it's worth doing, then secondly about how to do it. I recently spoke with manufacturer and experienced business owner, Mike Peters of Fort Wayne, Indiana who's come up with an easy solution for builders to cut heat loss at the slab edge by up to 88%.

http://homestylegreen.com/116

http://insulslab.net/

What's the difference between HRV and ERV? Grant Anderson is the National MVHR Manager at Fantech. (What's MVHR? Listen in to find out!)

Please feel free to contact me if you'd any help with choosing a ventilation system, matthew@homestylegreen.com

You can also find Grant and his team at Fantech, http://bit.ly/1FDK1PT

http://homestylegreen.com/115

Peter Olorenshaw has been developing his passion for passive solar design for over 21 in Nelson, one of New Zealand's sunniest spots. While has does practise architecture elsewhere, like his designs, he prefers to keep it local.

http://homestylegreen.com/114

http://www.peteroarchitect.co.nz/

How do you find the right products to build a net zero, LEED certified, Living Building Challenge, or simply a healthier, more sustainable home? Standardising product information and storing it all in one, easy place was the reason why GreenWizard was started. It's a Building product management solution to help you find sustainable products.

http://homestylegreen.com/113

https://www.greenwizard.com/

What's the link between durability and sustainability? Brett Little explains that there's no point in building a zero energy house, if it only lasts a few years.

The Green Home Institute is focussed on empowering people to make healthier and more sustainable places to live. Working closely alongside the the USGBC, the Green Home Institute offers services to help with LEED for Homes Certification and other third party verification provides to help prospective home owners meet their sustainability goals.

http://homestylegreen.com/112

http://greenhomeinstitute.org/

Andrew Stephenson has always seen architecture as a unique opportunity to turn people's dreams into reality. 

Living in a luxury bus with a family of five, and studying permaculture, has given Andrew some great inspiration for multi-function spaces and features. He now incorporates this thinking into his designs to make stylish and sustainable homes. 

http://homestylegreen.com/111

http://www.bellstephenson.co.nz/

How do you make a power plant in the middle of an urban setting, look interesting and attractive? And what's that got to do with designing sustainable homes?

Peter Hogg and Toby Reed are award winning, Melbourne based architects and I spoke with Peter about why he does what he does. 

Be sure to check out there website for more about their recent projects, including the spectacular Precinct Energy Project in Dandenong.

http://homestylegreen.com/110

Marnie Oursler used to sell houses. Now she designs and builds them and runs a successful company doing so.

What I found most inspiring talking to Marnie, was that she knows how to have fun while creating a spectacular home.

http://www.marniehomes.com/

How do you make a house sustainable? Talking to the team at Sustainability House would be a good start. 

Sustainability House believe that all buildings should aim to have low embodied energy, use energy efficiently, generate electricity, collect and recycle water, be passively thermally comfortable and provide safe indoor air quality.

Sounds reasonable. 

But how do you do it?

I spoke to Business Development Manager, Mark Clayton about their services and the growing demand for sustainable buildings. 

Green Tomato Energy, based in Hammersmith London, is another example of a company fulfilling a fantastic need. They help people get set up with renewable energy technologies and they provide advice on low energy and Passivhaus building design.

http://homestylegreen.com/107

http://greentomatoenergy.com/