Electrification & Decarbonization
The Frick Environmental Center for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. AIA COTE Top Ten honoree. Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson.
“Building electrification” refers to using electric technologies instead of combustion-fueled technologies to supply the comforts of a modern building. An electrified building typically uses electric heat pumps for space heating and domestic hot water, as well as electric or induction stoves for cooking.
Electrification supports the long-term goal of building decarbonization. That’s because the grid is getting greener, and also because designing buildings to harmonize with the grid can reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions as well.
Electrification & Decarbonization
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Net-Zero Energy Isn’t the Real Goal: 8 Reasons Why
Feature Article
Net-zero-energy buildings don’t always reduce carbon emissions. These are the tweaks we need to ensure they do.
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Changing Building Design for a Changing Electrical Grid
Feature Article
The way we get our electricity is evolving, and buildings need to be ready to respond.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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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.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Existing Building Performance Standards Urgently Needed
News Brief
The pressure is on in the U.S. to mandate existing building decarbonization. ACEEE has analyzed domestic and international laws for best practices to broaden the reach of this climate change mitigation tool.
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White House to Release Building Decarbonization Standard
News Brief
The new building decarbonization standard aims to bring all buildings along—not just a few high performers.
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The IRA’s 48(e), 48(h) Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program: Just the Basics
News Analysis
This provision offers a bonus credit to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for small-scale solar and wind projects located in low-income and environmental justice communities.
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IRA’s 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: Just the Basics
News Analysis
This program provides a tax credit to homeowners for energy efficiency improvements in residential homes.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Net Zero Has Failed. We Need a Universal Carbon Standard for Buildings.
Op-Ed
The building sector’s current “net-zero” standards are not credible, not scalable, and don’t eliminate emissions. There’s a better way.
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Sign This Letter on Equipment Needs for Building Electrification
Blog Post
We need to eliminate toxic fossil fuels from our buildings. This joint letter to HVAC equipment manufacturers asks them to address the gaps in the equipment that’s currently available.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Net-Zero Energy Isn’t the Real Goal: 8 Reasons Why
Spotlight Report
In this report, we list eight ways that NZE projects miss the mark on climate goals, including how they affect the electricity grid, transportation, embodied carbon, and resilience, and how we can course-correct to achieve our goals.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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