Building
Five Easy Home Changes
A 2008 study for the California Homebuilding Foundation revealed a $10,000 retrofit of a home built in the 1960’s could eliminate 8.5 tons of emissions, whereas increasing the energy efficiency of a new home by 35% would cost about $5,000, but only cut emissions by 1.1 tons.
Meaning renovating existing homes has a larger effect on [...]
EPA Delays Enforcement of Lead Paint Renovation Rule
In a memo dated June 18 from the EPA, they have decided that contractors who have enrolled in Certified Renovator training with an EPA-approved training provider by September 30 will not face any penalties, as long as the training is completed by December 30.
This is great news for the contractor industry, because it gives them time to get the certifications they need, it doesn’t not allow them to ignore the new work practices or education requirements.
Empire State Building Now With Energy Star
Energy Star for Commercial Buildings offers a good standard to work to if you are considering upgrading especially when combined with the commercial tax credit for energy efficient upgrades.
Resource House – Combining Net-Zero Energy with Sustainable Design
The Resource House – a Green Built Home and Wisconsin Energy Star Home – is the first in this area to be completely free for all fossil fuels, which makes it a true net-zero energy home.
New Marvin Windows Bringing the Outdoors In
A flyer crossed my desk last week for a new patio door from Marvin windows – providing a way to create a seamless transition from your inside living space to your outdoor.
Resource Efficient Renovation
Working in the green building industry I knew I wanted three things out of this project: efficient fixtures, low-VOC substances and resource efficiency (that includes saving $).
Use Energy Star Wisely
Energy Star ratings aren’t always accurate. Find out what the issues are in the rating system and how to ensure you get the energy efficiency you expected.
Frustration, Misunderstanding and Delay – Oh, My!
To be honest, even for us in the field, it is sometime frustrating how slow the process goes at times.
EcoFaeBrick
Do you think your MBA program was based on a pile of dung? To a group of students from Indonesia it was… They created a business model from a pile of cow dung transformed into bricks that became the structural bones of houses in rapidly developing areas. This business model, called EcoFaeBrick, joins forces with [...]
Owens Corning uses sun to heat one of their factories
Owens Corning installed an 11,000 Sq Ft SolarWall® on their Toronto manufacturing facility. A SolarWall® is basically a perforated covering installed over an existing wall. As air flows through the perforations and up the wall it is heated buy the sun. When the air gets to the top of the wall it is warm and [...]
