Opinion

Poor Insulation Work Adds to Home Retrofit Challenges

Reader Paul Eldrenkamp encourages more widespread use of HERS ratings to measure the effectiveness of insulation retrofit work.
Environmental Building News—October 1, 2007

Use Performance-Based Transportation Credits in LEED

Executive editor Alex Wilson calls for a change in LEED for New Construction from prescriptive to performance-based transportation credits.
Environmental Building News—September 1, 2007

CFLs Aren't Perfect

The lifespan of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is shortened by frequent switching on and off, but in most applications they're worth using anyway.
Environmental Building News—August 1, 2007

Readers Support Renewables Over Carbon-Intensive Nuclear

Readers support EBN's recent editorial cautioning against a move toward nuclear power, noting that nuclear power can cause just as many greenhouse gas emissions as fossil fuels.
Environmental Building News—August 1, 2007

An Environmental Service Corps for America

Executive editor Alex Wilson proposes a national environmental service corps to help the U.S. achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and cope with the effects of climate change.
Environmental Building News—July 1, 2007

Use Prudent Specifications with Titanium Dioxide

Reader Michael Chusid cautions project teams to look carefully at possible environmental risks of using titanium dioxide in concrete.
Environmental Building News—July 1, 2007

Practicing Precaution

The power and limitations of science in the selection of building materials.
GreenSource—July 1, 2007

Nuclear Power Is Not the Solution to Global Warming

Executive editor Alex Wilson argues that the potential for nuclear power to avert global warming isn't worth its risks, particularly from terrorist attacks.
Environmental Building News—June 1, 2007

USGBC Supports Screening of PVC

Tom Lent of the Healthy Building Network explores the recent PVC report from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Environmental Building News—May 1, 2007

Indigenous Cradle to Cradle

Reader Bruce King questions the focus of the Cradle to Cradle product certification program on synthetic materials.
Environmental Building News—April 1, 2007
Member Comments

How the Sun's Path Can Inform Design

Mark Smith says, “One of the important tasks in selling or leasing real estate is demonstration—demonstrating the features and benefits of your...” More...


Water-Efficient Showerheads

Bill Burke says, “Thanks to EBN I found the 1.6 gpm showerhead. Delta certainly does a good job of hiding it on their...” More...


Armoroc Cement-Bonded Particle Board

Michael Kavanagh says, “Hal, Much of the tensile strength comes from the mineralized, post-industrial wood fibers. We have called on the services...” More...

Hal Levin says, “Mike, I'm sorry, I missed the wood fiber part that I saw after clicking "submit comment." So, it is not VOC-...” More...

Hal Levin says, “Hi Mike, Thanks for your kind and generous remarks. Actually, the more I learn the more I know that my expertise...” More...

Michael Kavanagh says, “Hal, Your expertise in this area is acknowledged and appreciated. However, let’s not lose sight that Armoroc Structural Cement...” More...


An Affordable Heat-Pump Water-Heater Retrofit

sunil sinha says, “AirTap Heat Pump Water Heater is installed in the places like garage, basement, attic which are mostly not directly heated...” More...


Styrofoam SIS

John Beeson says, “The aluminum layer which would reside on the outside (?) when taped would be an effect air retarder, but it...” More...


An Affordable Heat-Pump Water-Heater Retrofit

Ethan Goldman says, “Because this is an air-source heat pump, the heat it's "pushing" into the water in the tank is extracted from...” More...


D'Mand Hot Water Delivery System

Brent Eubanks says, “My unit is installed as a retrofit, and I have occasionally found warm water in my cold tap at the...” More...

Alex Wilson says, “The concern Mr. Behm expresses is a real one--for retrofit applications. When a Metland, Taco, or Uponor D'Mand system is...” More...

Gregory Behm says, “Brent or anyone else with D'Mand experiences, What is your experience with the cold water temperature after running the D'Mand system?...” More...