News & Features
The 2009 Solar Decathlon
All's Possible Under the Sun
Solar-powered living has taken over the heart of the National Mall, where 20 teams of college students are vying to see who can build the most appealing energy-efficient home.
Green Scene
Help a Good Cause, Become a Better Gardener
If you want to learn more about gardening, there's no substitute for getting your hands dirty, and one of the best ways to pick up that practical experience is by volunteering at a local garden.
Where We Live
College Gardens Makes the Grade
College Gardens, a 335-home planned community developed from 1967 to 1972 on what had been a 250-year-old dairy farm, has an old-fashioned sense of community.
Home & Garden
House Calls
Designer Carla Davis shows Deb Smith of Fairfax how one of the most important factors in determining a room's design plan is the purpose for the room.
More real estate articles, blogs and discussions
Blog: Local Address
Low-Tech Sustainable Houses and The Weekend Poll
October 09, 2009
Visiting the cutting-edge designs on display in the Solar Decathlon actually got me thinking about some low-tech houses in Bermuda that have been employing green principles, by necessity, for many years. The islands of Bermuda have no rivers or freshwater lakes, so residents have to collect their own rainwater from their roofs and store it in a tank. That's why Bermuda houses have those pretty, white roofs; they're treated with a special fungus-killing paint every couple of years to help keep the residents' water supply clean. The roofs are also built to withstand hurricane-force winds. After all, evacuating the country is hardly a practical option, so Bermudans need a tough refuge. You can find more information about this traditional building style from This Old House. I chatted about the way we've drifted away from old, low-tech solutions the other day with Lance Davis, a member of the American Institute of
Resources
Homebuying
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Discussions
Real Estate Live
Oct.
16
Post Real Estate blogger Elizabeth Razzi answers your questions about the local housing market at 1 p.m. ET.
Recent Home Sales
Find sale and tax assessment data on residential and commercial properties in the Washington area.
Mortgage Calculator
Home Valuation
Find out how much your home is worth with this handy tool.
Browse Regional Listings
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