Heating & Cooling
District heating systems provide economies of scale in large cities like Copenhagen.
HVAC—heating, cooling, and ventilation—is responsible for more than a third of energy use in commercial buildings in the U.S. Smart designs can easily save upwards of 40% of that energy, often with strategies that offer instant or short payback. And good design that focuses on thermal comfort supports healthier, more productive occupants.
Heating & Cooling
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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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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Passive Survivability: A New Design Criterion for Buildings
Feature Article
Buildings and their occupants are vulnerable to threats ranging from storms and rising sea levels to accidents and terrorism. In this feature article, EBN describes how to design and construct buildings to maintain livable conditions in the event of extended power outages or loss of heating fuel or water.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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How the Sun's Path Can Inform Design
Explainer
Designing a building with the sun in mind can help reduce both heating and cooling loads.
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Ground-Source Heat Pumps: Tapping the Earth's Mass
Explainer
Ground-source heat pumps take advantage of stable temperatures just below the Earth's crust for energy-efficient heating and cooling.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Mag Lev Chiller uses Low-Global-Warming-Potential Refrigerant
Product Review
YORK YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller is the first chiller to be optimized for use with a low-GWP hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant.
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Heat-Pump Energy Recovery Ventilation Gets an Update
Product Review
Build Equinox and Minotair Ventilation Inc. (MVI) have updated their heat-pump-based energy recovery ventilation systems, providing better control of humidity, heating, and cooling in a smaller footprint.
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Façade as Ventilation: Moving beyond Open Windows
Product Review
AirFlow Panels supply air and recover energy on commercial building façades, improving air quality while reducing energy and space requirements.
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No More Condensation on Chilled Beams
Product Review
Semco’s Neuton pump module could simplify installation of chilled beams, eliminate condensation problems, and provide improved zone control.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Engineers Post Electrification Equipment Wish List
News Brief
Twenty-four MEP firms are entreating manufacturers to make products needed for all-electric buildings, like large capacity heat pumps.
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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.
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White Roofs in Cold Climates a Mistake, Says LCA Study
News Brief
While roofs with solar panels are a plus, researchers suggest white roofs in Canada do more harm than good because of steep heating penalties.
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Toledo Museum Is State-of-the-Art at a Century Old
News Analysis
Solar panels and micro-turbines enable a historic art museum to reduce its electrical usage 79%.
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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