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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

Is Nano a No-No? Nanotechnology Advances into Buildings

Nanotechnology takes advantage of the novel properties that particles can exhibit at a billionth of a meter in size. Those properties are being used in building materials, where they can improve thermal performance and the effectiveness of photovoltaics, among many possibilities. The field has little regulation, however, despite significant health and environmental concerns.
Environmental Building News—March 1, 2008

Water: Doing More With Less

The U.S. uses about 400 billion gallons of water a day, and water shortages are becoming more common. Water conservation is possible in several areas in and around buildings, however, with water-saving products and technologies currently on the market and in development.
Environmental Building News—February 1, 2008

Behind the Logos: Understanding Green Product Certifications

The number of environmental product standards and certifications is growing rapidly, putting numerous different "green" logos on products. This article reviews the key programs and evaluates their rigor, and offers guidance in using them to accomplish project goals.
Environmental Building News—January 1, 2008

Controls Go Wireless

Particularly for lighting and ventilation controls in retrofit situations wireless systems offer potential energy, money, and resource savings. The technology is still new, however, and potential drawbacks like health risks, interference, and even the potential for increased energy consumption need to be examined.
Environmental Building News—December 1, 2007

Investing in the Environment: The Financial Industry's Approach to Green Building

Recent changes in the financial industry are providing new opportunities for financing green buildings. However, lenders and investors have different approaches to documenting the benefits of green, which affect how they use rating systems and other metrics. To navigate effectively in the financial world, green designers and builders need to understand the territory.
Environmental Building News—November 1, 2007
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Watermiser Flow Control Valve

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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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