Building an energy efficient home requires good planning well before construction begins. It ensures the construction of the best building possible for the moment and the construction of a building that will serve its owners’ needs well into the future. Decisions now will affect generations to come in terms of livability and maintenance. It is […] Read more
Stories by Will Oddie
Building green: environment and people friendly design
In the past, we built dwellings for shelter or utility either for ourselves or our animals. Later we also built them for style and show.Building green or green building are terms that describe an increasing awareness that we must consider in constructing our buildings – for our sake and that of the planet.Building green means […] Read more
Have fun being green
Swimming pools can be part of the great and all-too-short prairie summer.They are a good way to cool down, get exercise and help little people become comfortable in the water.However, pools use a lot of conventional energy if they are heated with electricity or natural gas. It can cost as much to heat a pool […] Read more
Solar versus wind: long-standing debate has no right answer
The Western Producer has been examining wind power generation in Western Canada, so it’s a good time to introduce a new columnist on the subject of energy. Which is better, solar or wind? It’s a question that needs to be qualified: are we talking payback, maintenance, environmental impact or aesthetics? There is no right answer […] Read more
