Buildings
Boulder Valley School District On Its Way To Net-Zero Energy
In the United States, school buildings are the third biggest energy user of all commercial building types, not only producing a lot of emissions but also costing a lot of money. Each year, K-12 schools spend $8 billion on energy—more than they spend on computers and textbooks combined. One…
Building on Chicago’s Reputation as a Green Building Leader
The USGBC recently released its 2015 Top Ten States for LEED list, naming the U.S. states that lead the nation in sustainable building design, construction, and transformation. For the third year in a row, Illinois topped the list of total square feet of LEED-certified space per resident.
Next-Generation Utility Programs: How M&V 2.0 is Enabling a “Negawatt” Market
California’s recently passed Senate Bill (SB) 350 reinforces the state’s reputation as a leader in climate change policy. But what may be most remarkable in the bill is the change in how the state evaluates and promotes energy efficiency.
How Energy Efficiency Enables Stable Capital Markets
A paradox currently exists in the U.S. home improvement market. While homeowners say they want energy improvements for their homes, the rate of home energy upgrades is decreasing. One study found that residential energy upgrades are the top unmet demand among U.S. households. So why aren’t more homeowners…
Airtightness in Buildings: Don’t Let it Slip Through the Cracks!
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony for RMI’s new Innovation Center today, RMI is being presented with Passive House US+ Certification, partly due to the airtightness of the building. Many of us have experienced how uncomfortable it can be to sit next to a drafty window or door. Not only does…
