BuildingGreen.com News

Commercial Kitchens: Cooking Up Green Opportunities

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Commercial kitchens run energy- and water-intensive equipment for long hours, sometimes even when not in use. While the challenges of saving water and energy in commercial kitchens are daunting, they're not insurmountable. Careful equipment selection and a commitment to conscientious kitchen practices can dramatically cut down on waste—and utility bills.

BuildingGreen: Independent Again

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

BuildingGreen and Taunton Press have made a mutual decision to dissolve the partnership established two years ago. The two companies will continue to collaborate on GreenBuildingAdvisor.com, the online residential resource that was the impetus of the partnership.

Ontario Feed-in Tariff Deserves Attention

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Ontario reader Charles Simon calls attention to his province's new feed-in tariff for renewable energy sources, which is one of the most progressive in the world.

Industry Agrees to Phase Out DecaBDE Flame Retardant

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Through an agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and three chemical manufacturers, the brominated flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) will be phased out by the end of 2013.

New Tax Credit Limits Window Choices

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The $1,500 tax credit for energy-efficient windows that is currently available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act only covers windows with U-factors below 0.30 and solar heat gain coefficients below 0.30—which largely precludes windows that provide passive solar heating benefits.

Seattle Bends Rules for "Living Buildings"

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A Seattle ordinance establishes a pilot program for "living buildings" that could lead to changes in land-use codes.

California Adopts Nation's First Statewide Green Building Code

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Final WaterSense Specification for Homes Released

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Mobile Photovoltaic Power Generators

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Mobile photovoltaic generators can provide a silent power supply for construction sites and other off-grid applications without the use of fossil fuels.

Dow Styrofoam Cradle to Cradle Certified, Despite Chemistry

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Dow Chemical's Styrofoam extruded polystyrene has been awarded Cradle-to-Cradle Silver certification by MBDC, despite some questionable environmental characteristics.

Radiant Floor Heating: Wrong Choice for Green Homes?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

While very popular, radiant-floor heating is not well-suited to highly insulated, green homes.

Dow Styrofoam Cradle to Cradle Certified, Despite Chemistry

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Hawaii First State to Require Solar Hot Water in New Homes

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Video: Cool Products from Greenbuild 2009 with Alex Wilson

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Hear Alex Wilson share the story behind his picks of over three dozen products and services featured on the Greenbuild 2009 floor, and why they stand out.

Cool Products From Greenbuild 2009: An Expo Floor Tour

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Alex Wilson provides a tour of 37 innovative products from the U.S. Green Building Council's 2009 Greenbuild conference in Phoenix.

EPA Declares Greenhouse Gases a Threat to Humans

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

As EPA moves to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts on the building industry remain unclear.

NYC Passes Landmark Green Building Legislation

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The passage of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan puts New York City at the forefront of municipal efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions through green building measures.

USGBC Reworks Committee Structure

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Changes in the USGBC committee structure will provide more opportunities for volunteers as well as more responsibility for professional staff.

Photoluminescent Exit Signs Not Energy Efficient

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A paper from NEMA suggests that photoluminescent exit signs don't realize their promised energy savings.

Link Between Chinese Drywall and Corrosion Confirmed

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Standard 189 in Final Stages

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

ASHRAE Building EQ Labeling Program Launches 20-Building Pilot

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

NBI Energy Code Proposal Moves Forward

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

IES Unveils New Climate-Based Design Tool

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Model Contracts Clarify Green Building Responsibilities

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Asphalt Shingle Recycling Program Launched

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

California Leads States in Climate Change Adaptation

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Green-e Certified Renewable Energy Sales Climb 45%

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

L.A. Water Consumption Significantly Reduced

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

BAC Offers New Sustainable Design Courses, Certificate Options

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Bringing Green, Modular, and Historical Together

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

New World Home has created a portfolio of modular homes that meld environmental performance with historically sensitive design.

CalStar to Begin Production of Fly Ash Bricks

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A new brick from CalStar contains 40% fly ash and no portland cement.

SunCache Used in Sacramento Rehab Project

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Combined Sewer Overflow

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur in municipalities with older wastewater systems that carry both sanitary wastewater and stormwater; eliminating CSOs involves investment in wastewater infrastructure and reducing stormwater flows.

Standard 189 in Final Stages

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The long-awaited code-enforceable green building standard is on the cusp of approval.

USGBC Reworks Committee Structure

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Changes in the USGBC committee structure will provide more opportunities for volunteers as well as more responsibility for professional staff.

California State Buildings to be Tied Into Smart Grid

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Washington Pursuing More Stringent Energy Code

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Green Building is the New Law in Evanston, Illinois

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

InterfaceFLOR's New Pledge: Off Oil by 2020

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Industry Agrees to Phase Out DecaBDE Flame Retardant

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Through an agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and three chemical manufacturers, the brominated flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) will be phased out by the end of 2013.

Will I Get Sued? Managing Risk in Green Building

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Building industry professionals take on risks when they work on green buildings. But those risks aren't insurmountable, and can easily be handled with good communication and solid contracts.

A Wider View of Social Justice

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Reader Raphael Sperry argues that addressing social justice goes beyond single buildings.

Two Studies Analyze Green Building Performance

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Two post-occupancy studies of certified green buildings found that prioritizing energy efficiency in design leads to better performance, highlights inaccuracy of energy modeling.

Perkins + Will Lists Chemicals to Avoid

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Living Building Challenge 2.0 Released

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Rumsey Engineers Joins the Integral Group

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

RMI Releases Carbon Footprint Tool for Buildings

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Study Shows Green Construction Creates Jobs

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

USGBC Announces LEED Pilot Credit Library

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

California Delays Energy Cost Disclosure Requirements

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Website Promotes Green Building for Campuses

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Diverse Interest Groups Support National Formaldehyde Standard

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

FSC, USGBC Accused of Deception, Anti-Competitive Practices

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

BuildingGreen Announces 2009 Top-10 Green Products

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

BuildingGreen's annual list of Top-10 Green Building Products recognizes the most exciting products from recent additions to the GreenSpec directory and coverage in EBN.

Pentadyne GTX: Backup Power from a Flywheel

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The Pentadyne GTX supplies short-term power, without the use of lead-acid batteries, to cover the time between a power anomaly and the start of the generator.

EnOcean Alliance Disseminates Wireless Control Technology for Hotel Use

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

EPA WaterSense Label Enters Commercial Building Market

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Recycled Content in Steel

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Steel is made in two different facility types, which have different methods of producing and using recycled content in steel.

Lego Blocks from Straw

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

While still under development, Oryzatech's Stak Block rice-straw, interlocking, highly insulating building block is an exciting product that could revolutionize the use of straw as a building material.

Making Your Own Electricity: Onsite Photovoltaic Systems

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Although photovoltaic systems have a long payback period, generous incentives and tax credits can make the systems attractive for building owners interested in reducing their carbon footprint.

EPA Seeks Stronger Regulation of Chemicals

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson outlined a broad set of principles that will guide Administration efforts to reform the 30-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act.

States Adopt BIM for Energy, Cost Savings

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

BIM allows state governments to streamline design and construction of state buildings and track their performance over time.

Wind Turbine Certification Forthcoming

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A new performance standard for small wind turbines being developed by the American Wind Energy Association will be used by the newly formed Small Wind Certification Council to certify wind turbine durability and performance based on standardized wind conditions.

ASHRAE Requires Mechanical Ventilation in Naturally Ventilated Commercial Buildings

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

An addendum to ASHRAE's natural ventilation standard requires mechanical backup systems for naturally ventilated commercial buildings.

CBRE Experiments With One-Day Energy Reductions

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

New York Greening Buildings One Super at a Time

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

ASHRAE Certifying Energy Modelers

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

ORNL Testing Energy Efficiency in Model Homes

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

STARS Rating System for Campuses Open for Registration

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Granite Study Reveals Radiation Risks for Workers

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Germany Wins Solar Decathlon for Second Time

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Trane Completes Transition to Ozone-Safe R-410A

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

EPA Releases Draft WaterSense Standard for Showerheads

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Building a Better Building Block—Pozzotive Plus

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Kingston Block & Masonry Supply has introduced a line of CMUs and concrete facing brick made with a post-consumer-recycled-glass pozzolan substituting for 30% of the portland cement as well as about 50% post-consumer recycled aggregate.

Silva Cell Facilitates Urban Tree Growth

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Silva Cell provides a framework that supports streetscapes and paved surfaces and encloses uncompacted subsurface soil so it can be used for tree-root growth or stormwater mitigation.

Programmable Thermostats

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Programmable thermostats can save a lot of energy, but to do so, the have to be operated correctly.

Drinking the Heat Pump Kool-Aid

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Reader Thomas McGrath questions the choice of heat pumps over other forms of space heating.

Building for People: Integrating Social Justice into Green Design

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Social justice is already a part of green building. Making it a conscious part of the decision-making process, however, requires a new paradigm.

Polystyrene's Track Record

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Steve Russell, of the American Chemistry Council, suggests that the hazards associated with polystyrene are being overblown.

Watch for Other Toxics

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Two architects argue that some of the alternatives to polystyrene, such as polyurethane, come with their own hazards.

USGBC Revising Forest Certification Benchmark for LEED

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Green Building Council has opened recent revisions to the LEED certified wood credit to public comment.

Bob Berkebile Receives Heinz Award

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Habitat and Home Depot Bring More Green to Affordable Housing

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Underwriting Standards for Green Mortgage-Backed Securities

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Allowing for Growth, Going for Green: T.C. Williams High School

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A new school in Virginia practices what it teaches—and earned LEED Gold because of it.

Green Seal Certification Standard Established for Restaurants

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

New USGBC Initiative Targets Building Performance

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Heat-Pump Water Heaters Ready for Prime Time

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Heat-pump water heaters offer significantly greater water heating efficiency than conventional electric water heaters. EBN takes a look at three new products, along with two existing products and one that is expected out soon.

Mineral Wool Residential and Commercial Insulation

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Mineral wool insulation offers a good alternative to foam-based insulation, with fewer hazardous chemicals.

Upgrade to LEED 2009?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Projects currently registered under LEED-NC 2.2 can transfer to LEED 2009 before certifying. Should your project switch?

HBCD Isn't the Only Problem

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Tom Lent argues that we should be looking beyond HBCD when thinking about toxic chemicals.

Polystyrene Chemicals Widespread

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Polystyrene chemicals may be more widespread than most people think.

Changing Practices

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A reader reports on changing his building practices with inspiration from Environmental Building News.

LEED-ND Approved by New Urbanists

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system has been approved by the Congress for New Urbanism.

USC Offers Ph.D. in Architectural Technology

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

President Orders Federal Agencies to Save Energy

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

An executive order sets aggressive energy-use and carbon-reduction goals for federal agencies.

Older Buildings May Harbor PCBs, EPA Warns

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

California Utilities to Pump Billions into Energy-Efficiency

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

AstroTurf Ordered to Curtail Lead Use

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT