Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency involves a set of strategies that can be used to reduce the consumption of energy—especially fossil-fuel energy—in buildings. These strategies include:
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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
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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Natural Ventilation: The Nine Biggest Obstacles and How Project Teams Are Beating Them
Feature Article
Designers are reinventing the art and science of passive comfort control even where climate and culture favor mechanical systems.
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Are Cool Roofs Green? The Answer’s Not Black and White
Feature Article
Roofing choices are complicated by heating tradeoffs, climate effects, and condensation, but proponents say reflective roofs still make sense in most climates.
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Innovative Products and Technology from the Greenbuild Expo
Feature Article
Our product editors pick some winners from the expo floor at Greenbuild 2013 while raising questions about some materials.
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Solar Thermal Hot Water, Heating, and Cooling
Feature Article
By creating heat instead of electricity, solar thermal achieves three times the efficiency of photovoltaics at a lower price.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Solar Reflectance Index and Cool Roofs
Explainer
Understanding reflectivity and emissivity of roofing materials is important to evaluating their effect on cooling loads and the urban heat island effect.
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Energy Metrics: Btus, Watts, and Kilowatt-Hours
Explainer
Mixing units of electric power with those of energy is a common mistake, but distiguishing kilowatts from kilowatt-hours is not that complicated, and is worth getting straight.
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Thermal Mass: What It Is and When It Improves Comfort
Explainer
Heavy or massive objects like masonry can help improve thermal comfort, if used properly. They often don't insulate well, however.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Greenest of the Green Energy-Saving Products from Greenbuild
Product Review
The Greenbuild 2015 expo featured some exciting innovations, including a DC-powered “net-zero energy zone.”
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Innovative Australian Fan Blows Into U.S.
Product Review
A new energy-efficient fan from Aeratron offers performance and looks at a reasonable cost.
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Aerogel Coating May Reduce Thermal Bridging
Product Review
Thermal breaks can be pricey and may affect structural integrity. Aerolon is a non-structural alternative designed to have similar benefits.
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Replacing Fluorescent T8s with LEDs: Is It Time?
Product Review
CREE’s LED T8 sets a new benchmark for linear fluorescent replacements, but LEDs aren’t ready for all applications.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Building Carbon Caps to Scale Up with New Coalition
News Analysis
Building performance standards like NYC’s carbon limits could spread across the U.S. as the Biden administration assists 33 jurisdictions that have joined a new coalition.
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Biden Orders Carbon-Neutral Federal Government by 2050
News Analysis
New policies from Biden's executive order will require carbon-free electricity and embodied carbon disclosure for building materials, and could limit procurement of products with PFAS.
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Energy Impoverishment: What It Is and How to Fix It
News Analysis
A new Groundswell study looks at solutions to energy impoverishment, which low-income families face despite programs designed to help.
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Energy Benchmarking and Transparency Laws: Do They Work?
News Analysis
Cities, counties, and states are adopting benchmarking and transparency regulations. But a newer type of standard may be more effective.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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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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