Tag: green building
NGBS: Out with the Old, In with the New
As 2016 comes to a close, a sunset date has been set for the projects seeking certification under the 2012 version of the National Green Building Standard. Meanwhile, plans already are gearing up for the 4th edition.
Shower Better This Month
We’re sure you already knew this: October is Shower Better Month. It’s the time of year that the Environmental Protection Agency reminds consumers that shorter showers — or new showerheads — can save the average home owner about 2,900 gallons of water per year.
Educating Home Owners to Make Sustainability Stick
The ICC/ASHRAE 700-2015 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) was released in March. This post is the eighth and final post in a series that examines what’s different in this new edition – and what’s changed in the world of sustainable construction since the 2012 NGBS. This week: Updates to Operation, Maintenance, and Building Owner Education.
Healthier Homes from Floor to Ceiling
The ICC/ASHRAE 700-2015 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) was released in March. This post is the seventh in a series of eight that will examine what’s different in this new edition – and what’s changed in the world of sustainable construction since the 2012 NGBS. This week: Updates to Indoor Environmental Quality.
Homes that Take 1st Place with Grade 1
The ICC/ASHRAE 700-2015 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) was released in March. This post is the fifth in a series of eight that will examine what’s different in this new edition – and what’s changed in the world of sustainable construction since the 2012 NGBS. This week: Updates to Energy Efficiency.
Making Zero Energy Equal a Perfect 10
Zero-energy homes, also known as net-zero homes, produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis, sometimes producing more energy from solar panels, wind power, or other sources. These homes are far from mainstream, but home builders like South Carolina’s Todd Usher, guest writer for this blog post, are leading the race to get them there.
New American Remodeled Home: It’s All About Efficiency
Using nothing but the latest products and building techniques, Phil Kean is turning a 1980’s energy glutton into a significantly more eco-friendly abode. The differences — and the cost savings — are remarkable.
Solar Appraisals Move Forward
A new report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says that it’s possible to demonstrate how homes equipped with solar panels are worth more than comparable homes without them.
SolSmart Hopes to Spur Growth of Solar
Builders and remodelers whose clients are interested in solar power know that there’s a lot more to it than just the installation process. There’s the permitting, confusing rules about financing and incentive programs, and other potential hurdles that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says can add as much as $2,500 to the cost of going solar. Now DOE is stepping up to the plate with the launch of SolSmart, a community designation program intended to fuel the growth of solar power by knocking over these hurdles.
Roof Coatings Boost Energy Savings
A roof coated with reflective white paint will typically reflect 88% of the sun’s energy and reduce interior temperature by 2 degrees Celsius in spaces that are not air-conditioned, according to an Australian study. That translates into an average of about 15% shaved off a building’s energy use, the study found.
