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Green Building Pro Blogs

Blogs from the Editors and Green Building community...
Tags >> efficiency
Sep 02
2010

Commercial Benchmarking Makes Efficiency the New Penthouse Suite

Posted by: Eric Bloom

Eric Bloom

If you’re a commercial building tenant looking for new office space, you’re probably comparing a few potential spaces on the basis of rent, location, the condition of the space, and maybe even the carpet color. One consideration you’re probably not looking at is the energy bills the space typically commands, either because you don’t care or because they’re simply not available.

Enter commercial benchmarking laws. These laws, which are starting to appear at the city, state, and national level worldwide, can transform the role that energy efficiency plays in driving tenant and owner decisions. The idea is that, when tenants have access to an energy profile for office space they’re considering, they may compare the energy costs of different spaces. Efficient spaces end up more desirable and less efficient spaces face higher vacancy rates. In turn, building owners looking to minimize vacancy rates, invest in energy efficiency upgrades to keep their buildings competitive in the market.

Aug 02
2010

Solar Pool Pump System

Posted by: Byron Bargas

Tagged in: solar , pool , micro , efficiency
Byron Bargas

Solar, as it currently exists, continues to remain somewhat lacking in its technical efficiency in terms of costs versus return - a viable method in which to off-set energy consumption, thus we work with what we have until either the technology can be enhanced of another technology can take its place.  As many of those whom I have spoken with have often asked me about specific PV micro-systems, specifically for either their Heat Pumps or Pool equipment I thought I would share with you my experience and knowledge as to what quality systems are available on the market for at least the pool equipment systems as obviously your pool consumes a great deal of energy albeit typically during off-peak hours.  
Jan 21
2010

To Efficiency and Beyond?

Posted by: Mitchell Funk

Mitchell Funk

Companies and institutions all over the world are aggressively pursuing energy efficiency measures. It seems like every day you hear or read about a new project being undertaken to reduce electrical demand. As we enter into 2010, this undertaking will become more popular in terms of its adoption and more important in terms of its impact.

The federal government has made its stance known with a focus on home weatherization. If we are to move towards a reduced carbon state we need to start with existing building stock, with homes representing a decent percentage of that. I myself have been taking inventory of things like appliances and windows in my apartment to see what measures I can take. While there’s not a whole lot I can do as I live in a rented apartment in a small student community, it is still important to change what I can. This revolves mostly around lighting and living habits. Swapping any incandescent bulbs out for CFLs, taking shorter showers, and putting on extra layers of clothing instead of using the heater. That’s all good and well to a point, but I also live with three other people who all have different ideas of comfort. That's something a little harder to work with.