Posts by Matthew Grocoff

-
How much do you spend on energy? Probably more than you think
Just when you thought you were paying a lot for energy, the kind folks at the Energy Information Agency (EIA) comes along and adds it all up for us. Yes, you knew you were spending $70 to fill the SUV with gas. But,… More >>
(0) Comment >> -
The end of civilization is near: dumb products on Amazon prove it
Browse through Amazon and there's no shortage of gadgets that will convince you that the end of days is near. Once upon time we humans entertained ourselves by dancing around the campfires on the savannah. Now we settle… More >>
-
Metal roofs making a comeback; old asphalt roofs made with toxic lead
The students of the University of Michigan College of Engineering BLUElab Living Building Challenge team discovered something disturbing about our rooftops: they are filled with toxic chemicals and metals that is polluting… More >>
-
Why granny flats rock, but may not be legal
Many urban areas are struggling to stay affordable enough for young families to buy into or even for many people to rent. Around the world people are moving to cities for easy access to work and play, walkability and… More >>
-
House with a robot family achieves net zero energy (With Video)
NIST house, photo by NIST For the past year an experimental house run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been using a virtual family to prove the ability to create production built net… More >>