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 Challenge of Existing Homes: Retrofitting for Dramatic Energy Savings
Feature Article
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with residential energy use account for a fifth of all emissions in the U.S. Retrofitting existing houses to achieve a two- to three-fold reduction in energy use is necessary if we are to achieve the emissions reductions scientists say are required for avoiding catastrophic climate change. Here's a look at how it can be done.
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Piping in Perspective: Selecting Pipe for Plumbing in Buildings
Feature Article
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.
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In the Pipeline: District Energy and Green Building
Feature Article
Very common in northern Europe, district energy systems use a network of buried, insulated pipes to distribute centrally produced steam, hot water, or chilled water to heat or cool multiple buildings. These systems can make use of waste heat from power generation (combined heat and power) or renewable fuel sources to help reduce the environmental impacts of buildings and communities.
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The Evolution of Exit Signs (and Why the Latest is a Bad Idea)
Feature Article
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.
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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Infrared Cameras Provide View of Building Performance
Product Review
Infrared cameras are valuable, non-invasive tools for diagnosing potential problems in buildings and electrical and mechanical equipment.
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Pentadyne GTX: Backup Power from a Flywheel
Product Review
The Pentadyne GTX supplies short-term power, without the use of lead-acid batteries, to cover the time between a power anomaly and the start of the generator.
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Heat-Pump Water Heaters Ready for Prime Time
Product Review
Heat-pump water heaters offer significantly greater water heating efficiency than conventional electric water heaters. EBN takes a look at three new products, along with two existing products and one that is expected out soon.
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Navien Condensing Tankless Water Heaters
Product Review
Navien's demand water heaters use conventional and condensing stainless steel heat exchangers to produce hot water with an industry-best 0.98 energy factor.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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New York State Launches Initiative to Scale Net-Zero Retrofits
News Brief
The state has budgeted $30 million to develop a self-sufficient, private sector-based market for deep energy retrofits of multifamily buildings.
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New Zero Energy Certification Powered by ILFI and NBI
News Brief
Focused solely on net-zero-energy performance, the new certification aims to distinguish projects that verify outcomes with actual data.
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Scaling Up Engagement with Net-Zero-Energy Goals
News Analysis
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) and Architecture 2030 collaborate to scale up energy efficiency reporting and certification.
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Overcooled Offices Impair Thinking
News Brief
New research shows a warmer setpoint combined with personal fans saves energy while maintaining occupant comfort and performance levels in tropical climates.
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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