Weaving

The process of doing research on building a "green" home has been interesting.  I cannot wait to put all I learned into actual conversations when speaking with contractors and salespeople.  The main points I covered in my blog were: siding (natural stone veneer), exterior walls (ICF's will make up the walls, and insulation), insulation, hvac, and solar panels.  All my research yielded information that made it easy to make practical decisions except for the solar panels.  I'm still not sure how many I will need, but I'm confident that it will be easy to figure out once I decide on the house plan and know how much electricity we will be using in our "green" energy efficient home.  Some problems are impossible to solve without being in a real instead of imaginary situation.

How did you analyze and apply what you learned?  Unfortunately I can't apply what I have learned so far because I'm not ready to build yet.  I do want to continue to add to this blog in the future as I continue to read, research, and ask questions.
Did you discuss ideas with peers or family?  My husband and I discuss our future home all the time.  He of course is following my blog.  I hope we can continue it together and add different ideas and thoughts on our future home.  He wants to go "green" too but he's a little more realistic than me when it comes to what everything costs.  I agree with him in some areas because I don't want a huge house payment, but I think if we plan carefully then we can make it work.
How did you connect your ideas and address your key questions?  I was happy to find out that the stone exterior I want so bad will look great and also give us great heating and cooling benefits along with the ICF walls.  I feel the choices I made during the inquiry will result in a great house that is not only "green" and energy efficient but beautiful. 
Determine findings of merit. I think the most important part of the house that will make the most difference is the walls and siding.  Now a days hvac units are very efficient even more so than units built 10 yrs ago so the geothermal doesn't have to be installed.  The solar panels are not absolutely necessary because if we use energy efficient appliances and have the super insulated walls our power usage will be low.  I guess the point I'm trying to make is to use as little power as possible and keep your heat and cool inside.