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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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.
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Greening Your Electricity
Feature
Many businesses and homeowners are choosing to buy green power, including renewable energy credits (RECs). This article examines the environmental benefits of green power, including on-site renewables, what REC buyers should know about their purchases, and investing in energy conservation.
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The Evolution of Exit Signs (and Why the Latest is a Bad Idea)
Feature
Searching for reliable, energy-efficient exit signs, EBN's Alex Wilson explains why photoluminescent exit signs, one of the newest "energy-saving" devices, are one of the worst from a total-energy-use standpoint. The article reviews current technology, including LED and electroluminescent exit signs, and offers recommendations.
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Piping in Perspective: Selecting Pipe for Plumbing in Buildings
Feature
Potable water supply piping and drain-waste-vent piping represent a significant fraction of a building's materials. Choosing the greenest pipe for both applications, particularly deciding between metal pipe and plastic alternatives, requires evaluating a variety of environmental and human health impacts as well as durability and performance issues.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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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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Induction and OLEDs: Past and Future Lighting Technologies
Explainer
Fluorescent and LED lighting get most of the attention, but there are other efficacious lighting technologies that could illuminate our future.
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The Water-Energy Connection
Explainer
The production of electricity is highly water intense, just as the transport, heating, and cooling of water is energy intense. So saving energy saves water and saving water saves energy.
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Tankless Water Heaters
Explainer
Tankless water heaters have some downsides, but mostly offer advantages over conventional storage water heaters.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Mitsubishi Jet Towel Hand Dryer
Product Review
The Jet Towel uses high-velocity air to dry hands in five or six seconds. It also produces less noise and uses less energy than its competitors and captures water in a storage reservoir.
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New Delta Showerhead Advances State of the Art
Product Review
The Delta Faucet Company's newest showerhead delivers a satisfying shower using only 1.6 gallons of water per minute.
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Tinting on Demand with SageGlass
Product Review
Glazing from Sage Electrochromics, Inc., allows users to change its visible light and total solar transmittance properties with the push of a button.
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Climate Energy Brings Combined Heat and Power Home
Product Review
The idea of combining electricity generation with the production of useful heat-referred to as combined heat and power (CHP) or cogeneration-has long been attractive. Now, after many false starts, a viable residential-scale CHP system is about to enter the market.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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2007 Energy Bill Promotes High-Performance Buildings
News Analysis
Although several important provisions were stripped from the federal energy bill, key improvements to appliance standards and building energy-efficiency standards remain.
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Wal-Mart Introduces Second Generation of High-Efficiency Stores
News Analysis
Following a long program of testing green practices in experimental stores, Wal-Mart is now building high-efficiency stores that are expected to be 25% more energy efficient than conventional stores, but critics say that's not enough.
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Mazria Publishes Code Equivalents for 2030 Challenge
News Analysis
Architecture 2030 has published a white paper showing the amount by which buildings have to beat various codes to meet the 50% energy reductions called for by the 2030 Challenge. More than a dozen codes and standards are presented, with 20%-30% improvement required for most.
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Panasonic Introduces Vacuum-Insulated Refrigerator
News Analysis
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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The Universal Low-Carbon Building Standard Avoids RECs and Unnecessary Complications
Op-Ed
RECs and carbon offsets lack credibility, and grid interactivity adds unnecessary complexity. That's why this standard leaves them out.
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Drinking the Heat Pump Kool-Aid
Op-Ed
Reader Thomas McGrath questions the choice of heat pumps over other forms of space heating.
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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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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
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
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