The Energy Source Builder newsletter -- published from 1989 to 1997 -- is filled with nuts-and-bolts information on building energy-efficient homes. It includes design ideas, construction details and product information. Here are articles from some past issues. The information was accurate at the time of publication. However, keep in mind that some information changes with time. An easy way to find articles in the ESB archives is to use the Oikos Search feature.

Issue #54 December 1997 Choosing Green Power To Save Trees, Cut Wood Line-voltage Thermostat Study Residential Construction Waste Guide Grundfos Efficient Hydronic Zone Valve Climate-Specific Builder's Guides Durisol Recycled Content Insulating Concrete Form Aspen Recessed Light Retrofit Composite Technologies' Concrete-Insulation Sandwich Wall Solar Sizer Photovoltaic Design Software Issue #53 October 1997 ENERGY STAR® Sells Benefits Not Features Hydronic Cooling Range Hoods Affect Indoor Air Quality Ceiling Fans May Increase Cooling Energy Use Study Says Polyiso Sheathing Cost-effective Heat Pump for Hydronic Self-sealing Duct Manual-on Occupancy Sensor Issue #52 August 1997 Design Group Plans for Affordable Efficiency Small, Efficient and Beautiful Sealing Cantilever Floors Green Building Discussion in Cyberspace One Stop Information Center for Energy-Efficient Mortgages Two-Stage Evaporative Cooler Fan/Light/Heat Combo New Forced-Air Zoning System Environmentally Friendly Glue Revolutionary Clothes Washers Issue #51 June 1997 Finding the No Extra Cost Energy-Efficient Home Which Passive Cooling Strategy Is Right for You? Sealing Side Attics Remodel Right Solar Electric Roofing Stone-Lined Water Heater Compact Fluorescent Lighting Report CFL Downlight Quiet, Efficient Fan/Light Strawboard for Furniture and Cabinet Makers Issue #50 April 1997 Earth Smart Urban Living Lighting Patterns Prove to be Efficient, Affordable and Popular The Cost of Exhaust-Only Ventilation Manual J Exaggerates Cooling Load Setback Thermostat without Programming Precast, Preinsulated Concrete Wall System New Filtration Technology Pressure Relief Grille Structural Board of Recycled Paper Issue #49 February 1997 Island Development Dedicated to Environmental Preservation Marketing the Energy-Efficient Home Trial By Fire Lighting: More Is Not Always Better GFX Device Recovers Waste Energy From Drain Water Passive Solar Design and Energy-10 Software Recycled Shake Wood-Polymer Lumber Agriboard Insulated Straw Panels Lumatech Compact Fluorescent Replacements Issue #48 December 1996 Habitat for Humanity Sees Affordability in Energy-Efficient Homes Electric Radiant Heat: Making the Right Choice Foundation Vision Strip is an Energy Loser Sizing Air Conditioners Efficient, Clean-Burning Fireplaces A New Water-Blown Polyurethane Foam Retrofit Foam System Multi-Load Hydronics Hydronic Design Software Variable-Flow Grille for Central Ventilation Systems Hot Water on Demand Light Pipe Skylights Issue #47 October 1996 A Simple Test Can Spot Carbon Monoxide Danger Air Sealing on the Outside CFL Sales Hit Record REDI: Database of Green Products Whole Wall R-value Rating The Little House Improved Fanfold Insulation Non-CFC Air Conditioner Fog-free Mirror Efficient Front Loader Issue #46 August 1996 Southface Carries the Torch in Atlanta Construction Site Waste: A New Profit Center? Reduce Basement Air Leaks By Sealing Attic Bypasses Innovative Foundation New Steel Stud Design HVAC: What Homeowners Want Efficient Under-Cabinet Lighting CFL With a New Twist Bash-Proof Foam Board Solid-State Plumbing Control Radiant Barrier Sheathing Issue #45 June 1996 States Promote Home Energy Rating Systems Radiant Floors Demand Careful Planning Underfloor Installation Offers Retrofit Solution Sources of Air Leakage Foundation Innovation Truth-in-insulating Pink Wrap Another Basement Wall Insulation X-10 Thermostat Compact Fluorescent Table Lamp Foam Inserts for Concrete Blocks Folding Concrete Forms Airtight Recessed Light for Cathedral Ceilings Issue #44 April 1996 Canadian Home Tests Efficiency Spray Foam Producers Solve Ozone Problem Energy Star Certifies HVAC Products Lessons From the Retrofit Front Forced-Air systems Need Pressure Relief Roxul Acoustical Batt Insulation Bild R ConstructionTape FHP Thermal Saver 2000 Issue #43 February 1996 Radiant Floors Create More Comfort, Use Less Energy Shallow, Insulated Foundations Lower Construction Costs Home Energy Ratings Systems Get a Boost Kraft-Faced Batts: Not In the Shower NFRC Simplifies Window Ratings Rockwool Foundation Insulation Two More Non-Itch Batts Programmable Control for HRVs Bug-Resistant Foam Issue #42 December 1995 Turn to Solar for Lower Heating Costs Duct Doctors Write Prescription for Efficiency Alliance Issues State Energy Code Report Card Residential Water Use Celotex Drops Blackore GFX Gray Water Heat Recovery System R-Control Diamond Snap-Forms ISO-VENT Vented Roof Insulation HTI, Inc. Foam and Steel Panel Plumb Seal Pipe Gasket Robertshaw Carbon Monoxide Detector Issue #41 October 1995 Autoclaved Cellular Blocks Cut Labor Costs and Save Energy Study Shows Exhaust Air Heat Pumps Reliable and Efficient EPACT Promotes Energy-Efficient Lighting Substitutes Sealing Soffits ComfortTherm Wrapped Fiberglass Insulation Hurd's New Low-e Windows vanEE's new Supercompact HRVs Lighting Info on the World Wide Web Issue #40 August 1995 Environmentally Responsible House Requires Thoughtful Choices Kitchens Bustle with Efficient Lighting Opportunities Electric Fireplaces: The Evolution of Fire Takes Another Step Study Finds Wood Burners Prone to Spillage AAB Insulated Concrete Forms More Durable Amofoam Low-voltage Lamp Adapter Maxtop HRV Fits in Tight Spots Poly-Forms Insulated Concrete Forms More Innovative Ventilation Products from Tamarack Issue #39 June 1995 2D Lamp Puts A New Twist on Compact Fluorescent Possibilities Builders Find Niche with Insulated Concrete Forms High-Tech CO Detection from Telaire Humitrak Ventilation Controllers HydroDelta's Dual Compressor Ground Source Heat Pump Miraflex Insulation Wall Sheathing Seam Tape Controlled Ventilation Options for Builders Issue #38 April 1995 Solar Water Heaters Also Shine in Northern Climates Foam Sheathing Essential for Steel-framed Walls Collector Breathes Life into Active Solar Heating Filling a Floor with Batt Insulation Santa Fe Complete IAQ System Environs Combines Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps Fantech's Quiet Range Hood Issue #37 February 1995 Software Helps Architects Scheme on Energy Build Tight, Ventilate Right Research Supports Benefits of Radiant Ceiling Panels Super Wall Panels Combine Foam Insulation and Steel Frame News for Green Builders NFRC Certifies Heat Loss Ratings for Entry Doors Sola-Tube Hebel Aerated Concrete Block Issue #36 December 1994 Compact Building Form Cuts Heat Loss ASHRAE Sets Thermal Correction Factors for Metal Framing Innovative Design Eliminates Cooling Equipment Engineered Wall Displays Strength and High R-value Induction Lamps Challenge Compact Fluorescents Nutech Ventilation Controls Quad-Lock Insulating Concrete Forms R-Wrap Housewrap Issue #35 October 1994 Panel House Demonstrates Building Innovations Choose Your Glazing by the Numbers How Windows Affect Heating and Cooling Costs Smart Lights Ozone-friendly Air Conditioners from Carrier Fantech Heat Recover Ventilator Lite-Form Folding Insulated Concrete Forms Issue #34 August 1994 Natural Habitat: The Earthwise House Oregon Study Estimates Costs of Energy Code What's In a Wall Shading: The First Step Toward Natural Cooling Greenblock Insulating Concrete Form Fan America's Quiet Fan Raft-R-Mate Attic Vent Baffle HydroDelta's GSHP with Year-round Water Heating Celotex's Insulated Shingle Deck Thermax HRV's Issue #33 June 1994 More House for the Money: Energy-Efficient Mortgages Installing Insulated Concrete Forms Insulation Values Uncovered Efficiency Comes to the Laundry Looking for Ways to Deal with Radon? More Drywall Backers Home Energy Automation System Foam Panel with Plastic Studs   Issue #32  April 1994 Insulated Forms Make Warmer Concrete Walls Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives Carbon Monoxide Detectors Lighting Patterns Promote Efficiency Fresh Air Plus Filter Nails for Foam Boards Occupancy Sensing Thermostat Ventilation Chutes   Issue #31 February 1994 Sustainable Home is HERE Today Refrigerator Efficiency Improves Sealing Chimneys Air Filters Clear the Air Filter System for Heat Recovery Ventilators Three-in-One Heat Pump   Issue #30 December 1993 Steel Framing Offers Thermal Challenges Green Seal Sets Standards for Compact Fluorescents Air Sealing Stairs the Easy Way Research Exposes Attic Ventilation Myth New Series of Whole House Ventilators Cellulose Insulation System   Issue #29 October 1993 Fluorescents Get Skinny on Energy Diet Seal the Bathtub Drain Installation Methods Reduce Fan Noise Drywall Backers Non-toxic Insulation Flexible Batt Fresh Air Kit Latex Vapor Retarder Paint Issue #28 August 1993 Accent Lighting Adds Drama Duct Losses Hurt Forced Air Performance Issue #27 June 1993 Simplicity Slashes Cost Balloon Framing Key to this Advanced Energy Package Fireplaces are Fit for a Castle, Not for a House Issue #26 June 1993 Story-and-a-Half Satisfies Design and Energy Goals Story-and-a-Half Plans Offer Opportunities and Challenges How to Make Skylights Glow at Night

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