Building Science
Parent
Building Science
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Solar Thermal Hot Water, Heating, and Cooling
Feature
By creating heat instead of electricity, solar thermal achieves three times the efficiency of photovoltaics at a lower price.
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Better Choices in Low-Slope Roofing
Feature
There are big differences in environmental impacts of commercial roofing materials, but the biggest variable may be service life.
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LEDs: The Future Is Here
Feature
LEDs have finally become an economically viable lighting option, but choosing the best LED products still takes knowledge and skill.
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Doing Daylighting Right
Feature
Harvesting daylight is a popular way to save energy and promote productivity. But getting it wrong is all too easy-and can have the opposite effects.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Combined Sewer Overflow
Explainer
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.
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Sharing the Skyline with Birds
Explainer
Buildings are major killers of birds, but thoughtful design can help.
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Comparing Fuel Costs
Explainer
One would think comparing the costs of different heating fuels would be simple, but figuring out the amount heat available in a given quantity of fuel-and the associated cost-can be tricky.
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Post-Occupancy Evaluations: Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Explainer
POEs tell you everything you ever wanted to know about your buildings. Don't be afraid to ask.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Energy-Efficient Water Coolers from Elkay and Halsey Taylor
Product Review
Elkay and Halsey Taylor have introduced two pressure water filters, the VRCGRN and HVRGRN, respectively, with improved compressor and bubbler technology that lowers energy and water consumption.
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Lime Stucco from American Clay Enterprises
Product Review
American Clay Enterprises, known for its popular natural earth plaster, has introduced a setting lime stucco to the national market.
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Sealed Blinds from Unicel Offer Flexibility, Low Maintenance
Product Review
Vision Control sealed interpane louvers, available with any type of glazing, offer numerous benefits, including energy savings and reduced maintenance compared with other blinds.
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Innovations in Water Conservation Products
Product Review
The first annual WaterSmart Innovations Conference featured dozens of new water-conservation products. We review a handful of the most exciting.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Energy Simulation Packages Updated
News Analysis
Leading BIM providers Autodesk and Bentley Systems have released new software bundles to solidify their energy modeling offerings: Autodesk providing feedback early in the design process and Bentley offering high-power tools for later analyses.
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LED SkyCeilings Introduced
News Analysis
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States Adopt BIM for Energy, Cost Savings
News Analysis
BIM allows state governments to streamline design and construction of state buildings and track their performance over time.
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EnOcean Alliance Disseminates Wireless Control Technology for Hotel Use
News Analysis
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Pete’s Puzzle: Mold on Painted Clapboards is Food for Thought
Blog Post
There is mold on the factory-primed, latex top-coated wood clapboards on the south but not the north side of our house
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SonicLQ: Reconnecting Acoustics and Airtightness
Blog Post
Early on in our work on energy-efficient homes, the connection between airtightness and sound centered on airport noise; now a new technology reconnects acoustics and air leakage
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Water Tables and Basements
Blog Post
How to use geological, soil, and historical maps to keep your basement dry
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Installing Insulation With the X-Floc Ventilated Dry Injection System
Blog Post
X-Floc claims the blowing equipment they use delivers cellulose at a more consistent density, and they were willing to prove it with this demonstration.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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