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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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.
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Design Strategies for Occupant Engagement—and Why They Boost Performance
Feature Article
Researchers reveal simple ways to empower occupants to reduce energy, water, and waste. It all starts with good design.
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Cladding: More Than Just a Pretty Façade
Feature Article
Cladding materials should be chosen to minimize environmental impacts and help maximize a building’s energy performance.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Heat-Pump Water Heaters
Primer
Heat-pump water heaters produce more than twice as much hot water per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed as standard electric water heaters.
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The Water-Energy Connection
Primer
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
Primer
Tankless water heaters have some downsides, but mostly offer advantages over conventional storage water heaters.
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Comparing Fuel Costs
Primer
One would think comparing the costs of different heating fuels would be simple, but figuring out the amount heat available in a given quantity of fuel-and the associated cost-can be tricky.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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BuildingGreen Announces Top 10 Products for 2017
Product Review
Our innovative Top 10 product selections reduce stormwater and wastewater, improve efficiency and IAQ, and contain fewer hazardous materials.
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DC Power Supply Integrates AC and Renewables
Product Review
Nextek PhD provides AC-to-DC power at the building scale, integrates renewable energy, and can even save on first costs.
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The Best Indoor LED Luminaires of 2016
Product Review
Winners of an annual DOE competition represent some of the best LED lighting for decorative pendants, downlights, and healthcare.
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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.”
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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From Norway, A New Standard for Energy-Positive Design
News Brief
Powerhouse is a new standard for energy-positive buildings that generate more energy than used for construction, operation, and demolition.
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California Finally “Bans the Bulb”
News Brief
California’s new lighting standard has performance metrics that incandescent bulbs can’t meet, effectively banning the bulb in the state.
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Energy Grades to Be Posted in NYC
News Brief
Whether it earns an A or an F, each building in New York City has to display its energy grade.
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Urgent: Zero-Carbon Buildings Needed
News Brief
Zero-carbon buildings and energy retrofits need to happen—fast—to keep global warming at tolerable levels.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, 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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