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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VOCs: Why They’re Still Here and What You Can Do About It
Feature Article
“Sick building syndrome” was one of the first problems the green building community tried to solve. We’ve come a long way, but we’re not done yet.
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Mouth, Meet Money: Case Studies of Outcome-Based Design
Feature Article
Performance-based incentives are a growing (and positive) trend. They’re not as risky as they sound, but there are some steps you should be taking to prepare.
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The Death and Rebirth of DC Power
Feature Article
Direct current is replacing AC in microgrids and other setups that maximize the efficiency of lighting, HVAC, and onsite renewables.
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What Makes the Building Envelope Green? BuildingGreen’s Guide to Thermal & Moisture Protection Products
Feature Article
From insulation to flashing tape to cladding, we look at the attributes of the greenest building envelope products.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Three Sources of Air-Pressure Problems in Buildings
Explainer
Air movement in and through buildings caused by pressure differentials has important effects on performance and safety.
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How Air-Source Heat Pumps Work
Explainer
Heating with cold air? Cooling off with hot air? Heat pumps performing these feats (especially mini-splits and VRF systems) have taken off, but how do they work?
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Buffering Humidity with Interior Finishes
Explainer
The relative humidity of indoor air often fluctuates. Interior finishes can help moderate those changes, improving comfort and IAQ as well as saving energy.
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Choosing Between an ERV and an HRV
Explainer
Don't get fooled into buying a more expensive and complex system if what you really need is a dehumidifier.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Water Savings and More Using Vacuum Toilets
Product Review
Jets vacuum toilet systems use significantly less water than standard systems, reduce wastewater, provide design flexibility, and can be used in combination with graywater and composting systems.
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High-Efficiency Commercial Window Inserts
Product Review
Alpen’s WinSert commercial window inserts significantly improve the thermal performance of aging window systems, without the cost or aesthetic concerns of full replacements.
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The Future of Home Energy Connectivity
Product Review
Schneider’s Square D Energy Center can connect photovoltaics, energy storage, electric vehicle charging, and “smart” meters and appliances.
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New Blowing Agents Revolutionize XPS Industry
Product Review
Due to regulatory changes in Canada and certain U.S. states, manufacturers will be offering XPS with low global warming potential starting in 2021.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Future Heat Waves Will Kill Power and AC—and People
News Analysis
Passive cooling strategies are surprisingly effective, even as heat waves become more extreme.
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Six Ways the COVID Pandemic Is Changing IAQ for Good
News Analysis
CDC has set a stringent new minimum for everyday ventilation, and ASHRAE has released standard 241, the first IAQ standard addressing infectious disease. Both moves challenge long-held assumptions about clean air.
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Will EPA’s Plan to Clean the Grid Work? Depends Who You Ask.
News Analysis
Proposed standards under the Clean Air Act aim to use pollution control technologies to reduce power plant emissions.
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DOE Offers Zero-Energy Approval for Higher Ed
News Brief
The Zero Energy Design Designation (ZEDD) Program from the U.S. Department of Energy is accepting applications for 2023.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Measuring (and Understanding) Humidity
Blog Post
Humidity sensor recommendations for building professionals and homeowners
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Why Standing Rock Matters to Green Building (and How You Can Help)
Op-Ed
The green building community must choose its battles carefully. And Standing Rock should be one of those battles.
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Net Zero Energy Is Achievable: Here’s How
Blog Post
The concept of the net zero energy (NZE) is a mature one, with established technology providing a clear path, especially for low- and mid-rise buildings.
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Our Real-World Flashing Tape Tests Find a Clear Winner
Blog Post
We took the best PSA tapes from our last round of testing and worked them over on rough OSB and window flanges. One tape worked no matter what.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
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