All Posts in "Emily Burgman"

How to Design a Passive Solar Home Layout to Lower Utility Bills

In an era where energy prices are volatile and climate resilience is a priority, the most effective “technology” for home comfort is often the oldest one: the sun. Passive solar design is the practice of positioning and constructing a home to capture, store, and distribute solar energy as heat in the winter while rejecting it in the summer, all without the use of complex mechanical systems or active solar panels.

By integrating passive solar principles into your home layout, you can drastically reduce reliance on HVAC systems, leading to significantly lower utility bills and a more comfortable, stable indoor environment.

The Five Core Elements of Passive Solar Design

To transform a house into a functional solar collector, five specific elements must work in harmony:

  1. Aperture (Glazing): Large, south-facing windows act as the “intake” for solar energy. These windows allow low-angle winter sun to enter and warm the home.
  2. Absorption (Thermal
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Emily Burgman by — March 12, 2026 in Green Architecture
Best Tools to Calculate Embodied Carbon Footprint in Sustainable Building Materials

The global construction industry is responsible for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon emissions. While operational carbon—the energy used to heat, cool, and power a building—has long been the focus of efficiency mandates, embodied carbon is now taking center stage. Embodied carbon represents the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the materials and construction processes throughout a building’s entire life cycle.

As the industry pivots toward net-zero targets, architects, engineers, and project managers require precise, data-driven tools to measure these impacts. This article explores the leading software solutions designed to quantify embodied carbon, enabling more sustainable material selection.

The Importance of Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)

Whole-building lifecycle assessment (WBLCA) is the gold standard for measuring environmental impact. It evaluates a structure from cradle-to-grave, encompassing:

  • A1–A3 (Upfront Carbon): Raw material extraction, transportation, and manufacturing.
  • A4–A5: Transport to site and the construction process.
  • B1–B5: Use, maintenance, and repair.
  • C1–C4: Deconstruction and end-of-life disposal.
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Emily Burgman by — March 3, 2026 in Green Building Concept
How to Build an Integrated Home Renewable Energy System: Solar, Heat Pumps, and EV Charging

In the past, upgrading your home’s energy infrastructure meant installing “silos”—a solar array here, a heat pump there, and an EV charger in the garage, all operating independently. In 2026, the paradigm has shifted. The modern home is no longer just a place of consumption; it is an active, intelligent power plant. By integrating solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps, and electric vehicle (EV) charging into a unified ecosystem, you can transition from a passive utility customer to a proactive energy asset manager.

The Architecture of an Integrated Home

Building an integrated system is about creating a “connected network” where every component talks to the others. In this setup, your home’s energy flow is governed by a central intelligence that treats electricity as a flexible, dynamic resource.

  • The Solar PV Array: Your primary generator. In an integrated system, the panels don’t just “send power to the house”; they provide the
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Emily Burgman by — February 25, 2026 in Green Energy
Mandatory All-Electric Building Codes for New Residential Construction in 2026

The year 2026 marks a definitive turning point in American residential architecture. What began as a series of local municipal “gas bans” has evolved into sweeping state mandates that have fundamentally altered the blueprint of the modern home. As of January 1, 2026, the transition to all-electric construction is no longer a voluntary pursuit for the “green” elite; in major markets like New York and California, it is now the law of the land.

For developers, architects, and municipal planners, this shift represents a move toward decarbonizing the building sector—which currently accounts for roughly $30\text{–}35\%$ of state-level greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Legal Framework: Understanding the 2026 Mandates

Two major regulatory engines are driving the 2026 electrification surge.

The New York Model: The All-Electric Buildings Act

New York has officially become the first state to prohibit fossil-fuel equipment in most new residential construction. Under the All-Electric Buildings Act, building permit … READ MORE ...

Emily Burgman by — February 19, 2026 in Green Building
Best Sustainable Building Materials for Low-Waste, Eco-Friendly Home Remodeling

Home remodeling is often associated with the “demolition-first” mindset, which contributes significantly to global landfill waste. However, in 2026, the industry is shifting toward a circular approach. By viewing your home as a living, evolving ecosystem rather than a collection of static products, you can drastically reduce your environmental impact while simultaneously increasing the comfort, health, and resale value of your space.

The most sustainable material is often the one already on-site. Before purchasing anything new, start with an “urban mining” audit: identify existing elements that can be salvaged, refinished, or repurposed. Once you move to new materials, focus on high-performance, low-carbon, and healthy options.

The Green Material Toolkit: 2026 Edition

Material CategoryTop Sustainable ChoicesBest For
Structural & FramingRecycled Steel, Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)Framing, load-bearing walls, additions
InsulationSheep’s Wool, Mycelium, Cellulose, CorkWalls, attics, soundproofing
Surfaces & FinishesReclaimed Wood, Bamboo, Recycled Glass TilesFlooring,
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Emily Burgman by — February 16, 2026 in Green Building