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Finding the Green Lining: Surviving and Thriving in an Economic Downturn

A sharp slowdown in nearly all sectors of design and construction has been a defining component of the current recession. Green building has remained a relative bright spot, however, giving firms with strong green capabilities a leg up. This article examines the current climate and offers specific pointers on thriving with a green agenda.
Environmental Building News—January 1, 2009

Energy Dashboards: Using Real-Time Feedback to Influence Behavior

Real-time feedback on energy use can change occupant behavior and save energy. Several products now on the market provide this feedback in varying degrees of complexity.
Environmental Building News—December 1, 2008

Integrated Project Delivery: A Platform for Efficient Construction

Integrated project delivery, or IPD, is a new contract mechanism for design and construction. Among its benefits for green building, it enshrines integrated design and building information modeling (BIM) into a legally supportive framework.
Environmental Building News—November 1, 2008

Bringing Nature Indoors: The Myths and Realities of Plants in Buildings

Some proponents of indoor plants promise that they will clean the air and promote occupant health and productivity. But will they? Scientific backing for these claims is still being developed, but some of the results are promising.
Environmental Building News—October 1, 2008

Water Policies: Encouraging Conservation

Conserving water goes beyond building design and technology. Water use is governed by federal, state, and local policies, from maximum flow requirements to pricing structures that encourage or discourage conservation.
Environmental Building News—September 1, 2008

Ductless Mini-Splits and Their Kin: The Revolution in Variable-Refrigerant-Flow Air Conditioning

Ductless split systems using heat pumps and variable refrigerant flow offer an energy-efficient alternative to conventional heating and air-conditioning systems for a variety of settings, from homes to hotels and schools. Three major manufacturers—Daikin, Mitsubishi, and Sanyo—offer the greatest variety of products.
Environmental Building News—August 1, 2008

Counting Carbon: Understanding Carbon Footprints of Buildings

Everyone seems to be talking about measuring carbon footprints and designing carbon-neutral buildings, but these terms mean different things to different people. Some focus just on operating energy, while others also look at transportation, materials, and other building-related emissions. As with so many things, the results depend on what you count and how you count it.
Environmental Building News—July 1, 2008

Making Air Barriers that Work: Why and How to Tighten Up Buildings

Incorporating a continuous air barrier into a building’s design and construction can save energy and improve the indoor environment, among other benefits. The right materials and assemblies can help accomplish that goal, but careful attention during design and close oversight during construction are essential.
Environmental Building News—June 1, 2008

Alternative Water Sources: Supply-Side Solutions for Green Buildings

Both the recent drought in the normally-wet Southeast and impending water shortages in the Southwest are a reminder that water efficiency should be a top priority for our buildings. At the same time, finding alternative sources of water is also important for sustainability and passive survivability. Several sources of water can be harvested at the building level as well as through municipal-scale wastewater treatment and desalination.
Environmental Building News—May 1, 2008

Navigating Incentives and Regulations for Green Building

When used in combination, incentives and regulations can be a powerful force for encouraging green buildings. Incentives can be complicated to navigate, but are often well worth the effort. Regulations, on the other hand, can be slow to change, but can raise the baseline for building performance.
Environmental Building News—April 1, 2008
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Solar-Thermal News

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Energy Dashboards: Using Real-Time Feedback to Influence Behavior

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Free Energy Modeling in Google SketchUp

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