Building Science

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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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  • How Six Affordable Housing Projects Got to Green

    Feature Short

    Stories of designers and developers who overcame the challenges of building affordable housing that is also green, sustainable, and healthy.

  • The Water We Drink: Softeners, Filters, and Other Treatment Options

    Feature

    Although our nation's tap water is among the best in the world, most Americans are concerned about its quality. This article explores the range of technologies to treat real and perceived water-quality problems.

  • Passive Survivability: A New Design Criterion for Buildings

    Feature

    Buildings and their occupants are vulnerable to threats ranging from storms and rising sea levels to accidents and terrorism. In this feature article, EBN describes how to design and construct buildings to maintain livable conditions in the event of extended power outages or loss of heating fuel or water.

  • Measurement and Verification: Monitoring Building Systems for Optimal Performance

    Feature

    Tracking the performance of a building's mechanical and electrical systems is essential for energy savings that persist over time. In this article, EBN explores measurement and verification and explains why demand for these systems is growing. We also explain the LEED® Rating System's evolving treatment of M&V.

Quick Takes

Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.

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  • Evaporative Coolers

    Explainer

    As water evaporates, it absorbs heat. Direct and indirect evaporative coolers use this property to cool homes efficiently.

  • Vapor Retarders and Air Barriers: Managing Moisture in Building Envelopes

    Explainer

    Air barriers, which prevent air leakage, and vapor retarders, which control moisture diffusion, are both important for controlling moisture in a building envelope.

  • Foam-in-Place Polyurethane Insulation

    Explainer

    Sprayed polyurethane foam offers several advantages over other forms of insulation, including R-value and airtightness. Installation, R-value, and ozone safety vary with the type of foam used.

  • Reducing Heat Flow Through Windows

    Explainer

    Bringing daylight into a building through windows usually means a loss of heat; low-emissivity coatings, multiple panes, and gas fills can make windows more energy-efficient.

Product Guidance

Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.

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  • Showerheads

    Product Guide

    Showerheads that use no more than 1.75 gpm and are WaterSense labeled to address spray force and coverage

  • Countertops

    Product Guide

    Select the surface that meets the design objectives, meets health and environmental criteria, and has the greatest durability.

  • Zurn Introduces Flood of Water-Conserving Products

    Product Review

    Zurn Plumbing Products Group's new offerings include a 1.1-gpf toilet, a dual-flush toilet, a non-water-using urinal, and a dual-flush flushometer valve.

  • Kohler Highline 1.1-gpf Toilet

    Product Review

    With the help of a remarkably quiet pressure-flush mechanism, Kohler's newest toilet uses only 1.1 gallons of water per flush.

In The News

We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.

Perspective

Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.

Learning Resources

Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.

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