There's no denying the wonders that a little natural light can bring into a home. But due to tight spaces, strange layouts or close neighbors many of us are stuck with artificial light. Day lighting company, VELUX, recently set out so solve this problem with their new product, the Lovegrove Chandelier, which can be installed anywhere and is powered by the sun. More

I have just returned from three weeks in Australia visiting my parents. I once lived there (in Melbourne) and have visited the country dozens of times. But this time, with Apartment Therapy in my blood, I began looking at the homes I visited and noticed some key differences between Australian and homes back here in the States. I am not talking about the style or size of the homes (though I could write for days on the stunning Australian design scene and culinary mastery!). Rather, I mean the little details embedded in daily home life--the cultural idiosyncrasies and homemaking customs that make Aussie homes different from ours here in the US. And...Australians have a lot to teach us, it seems:
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Once you've found the right space heater, it's not all warm days and cozy nights. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during winter months. To keep your home and family safe be sure to follow these simple space heater safety tips: More

Washing and drying clothes uses a lot of energy and water in a typical house. Here are 10 ways you can reduce your consumption of water and energy while doing laundry. More

It's winter — that means you're probably piling on your blankets and turning up the thermostat. But if you're looking to reduce energy bills and heat specific areas of your home, consider a space heater. ConsumerSearch recently complied a great space heater report — here are their tips on how to select a space heater, and their top 4 picks: More

The kitchen is home to some of our biggest energy hogging appliances. But, by sticking to these eight easy habits (new years resolutions, anyone?), you can reduce your kitchen energy usage and save some cash. More

Name: ICON Solar House built by the College of Design, the College of Science and Engineering, and the College of Continuing Education at the University of Minnesota for the 2009 Solar Decathlon competition.
Location: Built in St. Paul, moved to Washington D.C. for competition, now currently on the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis
Years lived in: none, yet

The U.S. Department of Energy hosts a Solar Decathlon every other year that challenges cross disciplinary teams of students to design, build, transport and re-assemble solar powered houses. The University of Minnesota entered the ICON Solar House against nineteen other international schools in the 2009 competition. The house is currently assembled in Minneapolis while it awaits its next use. At a lean 450 square feet, the home is often described as the, "perfect little cabin." This home is customized to be net zero energy on an annual basis in a northern climate. I met with Dan Handeen, Assistant Project Manager for the ICON Solar House, for a tour.

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Wouldn't it be awesome if your Kindle was solar-powered? Oh wait! It can be. Thanks to this tutorial from Instructable user flapke, you can now outfit your e-reader with small solar panels and forget about that ol' plug-in. The tutorial is kind of techie, but if you have a nerdy DIY spirit (like many of us do) it'll be right up your alley. More

Column Five Media and 1BOG (One Block off the Grid) teamed up to make this infographic that illustrates the costs associated with remodeling. They tackle solar hot water, solar for electricity, seal duct leaks, low-emissive windows, green roofs, smart roofs, high-efficiency shower heads, thermal mass floors and more. More

While we are finishing up with the Light Bulb Wars where we test drive the CFL and LED bulbs on the market today, designers from all over the world are dreaming up the eco friendly light bulbs of the future. Here we take a look at what tomorrow might bring, including light bulbs made of paper, powered by wind, and disguised as incandescents. More