Home > Family & Home > Home > LaHouse > [image: LaHouse] [image: LaHouse] [image: LaHouse] [image: About LaHouse] [image: LaHouse] [image: My House] [image: LaHouse] [image: My Landscape] [image: LaHouse] [image: As we shape our homes] Louisiana House - Home & Landscape Resource Center [Image: Family on the porch] A research-based showcase of solutions and educational outreach program with a vision of: MORE comfort, quality, durability, value, convenience and better health, with LESS energy, water, pollution, waste and damage from natural hazards. NEW Gulf Region Healthy Homes Training Center [Image: NCHH logo] LaHouse is now a Gulf Coast Region Healthy Homes Training Center -- a partnership with the National Healthy Homes Training Center that brings together public health and housing professionals to promote practical and cost-effective methods for making homes healthier. My House, My Home [Image: My House Family] Whenever you build, remodel or buy a home, you have the power of choice. Use this research-based guilde to take control of your investment and enjoy a high-performance home that offers so much more than shelter and style alone. Online Training Center [Image: Website image] We have begun and will continue to build upon this Online Training Center to assist the Louisiana and Gulf Region construction infrastructure with building science, best practices and building code-based information and continuing education.  more articles... Renewable Energy and Zero Energy Homes Use of renewable fuels, fuel cells, and photovoltaics can help homeowners achieve energy efficiency. Fire Protection When building or planning to build you home, consider using fire resistance construction materials, especially roofing and cladding. Many property insurers offer premium discounts for these features. Get Involved - Louisiana House Home & Landscape Resource Center [Image: LaHouse] Consider how you will benefit from LaHouse and explore the advantages of being recognized as a: Key Contributor, Key Partner, Key Ally, or Brick Donor. Sponsors & Partners [Image: house] Thank you to all our generous donors to LaHouse. HVAC - Efficient Cooling and Heating [Image: Geothermal Heat Pump Ground Loop (Figure 1)] Taking steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems could help reduce your utility bills, and increase your comfort at home. Make Energy Star® smart decisions when it comes to your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, read here for important details. Wind Hazard Zones for Louisiana [Image: 2003 IRC/IBC Wind Speed Map - State of Louisiana.] The wind hazard zones for Louisiana are shown in the Wind Speed Map. Minimum design standards for wind loading have been developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and are referenced in the International Building Code and International Residential Code at the International Code Council (ICC) website http://www.iccsafe.org. Water-Managed Foundation [Image: Vented Crawl Space] A great deal of moisture can move from the ground into and through a foundation and floor system, which can lead to decay, mold under flooring and high indoor humidity. To prevent these problems, keep rainwater away from the foundation with a 5% slope (6 inches/10 feet) of the grade around the house, prevent materials from absorbing water, drain groundwater with underground drainage before it gets to the foundation and allow the moisture in a foundation to escape. Long-lasting Materials and Warranties Over the life of a product, more-durable and longer-lasting options are generally better investments. These options are also better environmentally because they reduce both solid waste and resource waste. Favoring Green and Local Resources Using environmentally-friendly, or suitable "green" materials can curb the natural resource depletion and pollution when building or restoring your home. Learn how these materials can make your home durable, resource-efficient and more... Checklist for Universal Design Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a sustainable house in Louisiana. More...