November/December 2005 Issue
 
Sustainable Choices


  Online Featured Story:
Wood Heating for All?
Why the arrival of European pellet boiler technology on U.S. shores may take woody biomass mainstream.
By Dan Bihn
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Selecting a Solar Hot Water System
When considering the options, let your climate and household water needs lead.
By Daniel D. Chiras, Ph.D.
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Tread Lightly
To reduce the environmental effects, choose carpet with a high recycled content.
By Arthur B. Weissman, Ph.D.
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On the cover, this carpet from Interface’s Proscenium Collection is made from a hybrid yarn system using a blend of nylon and bio-based fibers. The bio-based polymers are generated from polylactic acid derived from starch-based products such as corn. For more information, access www.interfacesustainability.com. Photo by Nathan Bolster, courtesy of Interface

Choosing a ”Green” Car
A lifecycle expert examines the top 5 options for environmentall preferred vehicles.
By Roel Hammerschlag
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Moving Beyond the First-Cost Mentality
To overcome barriers to installing energy-efficient systems, businesses must focus on full lifecycle costs.
By Thomas M. Lawrence, Ph.D., P.E.; Jeffrey D. Mullen, Ph.D.; Douglas S. Noonan, Ph.D.; and H. Jay Enck
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Columns
in this Issue

Chair's Corner: It’s a Beautiful (Post-Petroleum) World
By Thomas Starrs
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View from Washington: Hitting Us Where It Hurts
By Joel B. Stronberg

Investing in Clean Energy: Picks of the Year
By Rona Fried, Ph.D.

Sustainable Worldview: China Increases “Exergizing”
By Michael Totten

Safety Matters: Abnormally Safe
By Kent Whitfield, P.E.

Ask Ken: Energy-Saving Q&As
By Ken Sheinkopf

Click here for a full list of SOLAR TODAY'S columns and departments.