Energy Efficiency
Our buildings consume more energy than industry or transportation, and we haven’t done a great job of reducing that consumption. We can do better by:
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monitoring energy use
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improving building commissioning
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applying insights from building science
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selecting innovative HVAC and building envelope technology
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using natural ventilation and daylighting to provide low-cost alternatives to standard systems
As great as all these ideas are, they won’t be nearly as effective if we don’t engage occupants about energy use as well. Our articles look at all these strategies and more.
Energy Efficiency
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Can Commercial Kitchens Go Electric?
Feature Article
An all-electric commercial kitchen offers potential energy and carbon savings over using natural gas, but making the switch can be complicated—and even controversial.
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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.
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Lighting Design for Health and Sustainability: A Guide for Architects
Feature Article
A report providing architects guidance on how to design sustainable lighting that supports health and wellness while reducing energy use.
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Why Schools Are Embracing Net-Zero Energy
Feature Article
Schools are leading the way in net-zero energy, but some designers question whether these goals create the best learning environments.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Building Enclosure Commissioning: Ensuring Durable and Energy-Efficient Buildings
Primer
The building envelope is crucial for all other building systems. How can we use commissioning to make sure it performs?
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Demand-Controlled Ventilation: Fresh Air Only When You Need It
Primer
Balancing the need for fresh air with minimizing energy use is difficult. Demand-controlled ventilation is the responsive solution.
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The Embodied Energy of Tap Water
Primer
A third of the annual energy bill paid by a municipality goes toward water treatment. Here’s why clean water uses so much energy.
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Induction and OLEDs: Past and Future Lighting Technologies
Primer
Fluorescent and LED lighting get most of the attention, but there are other efficacious lighting technologies that could illuminate our future.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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An Award-Winning Energy Management Outlet
Product Review
RAB’s Lightcloud Outlet enables wireless monitoring and control of plug loads while allowing for demand response and other energy-saving scheduling.
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Innovative LED Lighting from LightFair 2018
Product Review
The LightFair innovation award winners showcase LED lighting’s evolving technology and how its sustainability image has changed.
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Glass Façade with Vacuum Insulation
Product Review
Sedak’s Isomax system incorporates vacuum insulated panels into insulated glazing units to create thin glass façades with improved thermal performance.
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Fiberglass, XPS, Cork? Insulation Options for LEED v4 and Living Buildings
Product Review
Choosing insulation with an eye to points in LEED v4 or Living Building Challenge compliance? Here’s how insulation materials compare.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Ed Mazria: An Interview with the AIA Gold Medal Winner for 2021
News Analysis
We spoke with Ed Mazria, AIA Gold Medal winner, about everything from the 1970s energy crisis to the current climate crisis—and heard a message of hope.
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Another Corona Side Effect: Reduced Peak Electricity Demand
News Analysis
Flattening the COVID curve is also flattening electricity load curves, which may be a lesson for the building industry.
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AIA Declares Climate Emergency in Historic Resolution
News Brief
The AIA climate resolution calls for big changes in how the organization and its members will approach the climate crisis.
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New York City Mandates Carbon Limits for 50,000 Buildings
News Brief
NYC has a goal of 80% carbon reduction by 2050 and has set carbon emission limits for nearly all NYC buildings over 25,000 square feet.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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R-10 Vacuum-Insulated Glazing
Blog Post
The technological challenges for high performance, vacuum-insulated glazing may have finally been surpassed, but the results are still under wraps.
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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.
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Opting Out of Paris Accord Fortifies Global Warming Battle
Op-Ed
By making the administration’s position clear, Trump’s decision unleashed a wave of actions to stabilize the climate.
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The Energy Conservatory’s New Blower Door Kit
Blog Post
TEC did its homework: its new blower door package is a well-engineered and integrated equipment system
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Can Commercial Kitchens Go Electric?
Feature Article
An all-electric commercial kitchen offers potential energy and carbon savings over using natural gas, but making the switch can be complicated—and even controversial.
-
Can Commercial Kitchens Go Electric?
Spotlight Report
-
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.
-
Lighting Design for Health and Sustainability: A Guide for Architects
Feature Article
A report providing architects guidance on how to design sustainable lighting that supports health and wellness while reducing energy use.
