Kirsteen Paterson writes on The National website in Scotland about a recent survey that showed overwhelming support for ensuring homes are made more energy efficient as a means to address climate change concerns. While we hear much about renewable energy developments in Scotland, it is good to see the interest on the demand side as … Continue reading Most Scots want to “create a healthier, more prosperous future for all”
Category: buildings
Building owners and operators recognise that energy efficiency continues to make sense
Hilary Firestone and Dan Sakaguchi write on the Natural Resources Defense Council website about the role of the real estate community in promoting sustainability. Real Estate’s Commitment to Green Continues to Grow Whether it is President Trump’s proposed budget or Scott Pruitt’s rollback of EPA policies, the federal government appears to be walking backward … Continue reading Building owners and operators recognise that energy efficiency continues to make sense
Benefits of low-energy homes
Researchers from Australia and Britain have shared experiences in the two countries to better understand the benefits of low energy homes. Stephen Berry and David Michael Whaley from the University of South Australia together with Trivess Moore from RMIT University write in The Conversation about some of their findings. Low-energy homes don't just save money, … Continue reading Benefits of low-energy homes
Taking sustainable design to a new level
Kevin Nute, Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon writes on The Conversation website about some important new developments in sustainable design. What do you think? The next step in sustainable design: Bringing the weather indoors A building’s primary purpose may be to keep the weather out, but most do such an effective … Continue reading Taking sustainable design to a new level
New briefing on the role of the Primary Energy Factor
The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has just published an important new briefing on how Primary Energy Factor (PEF) is used and how they should be used in determining the energy performance of buildings. As the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is going through the revision process, the BPIE argues it is important to focus … Continue reading New briefing on the role of the Primary Energy Factor
New toolkit to reduce the energy performance gap in new homes
Britain has a new energy performance improvement toolkit prepared by researchers from a sustainable charity. Will Worley explains in an article on the buildings.co.uk website. Toolkit launched to improve energy efficiency of new-build homes The Building Energy Performance Improvement Toolkit is the result of a four year-long research project, backed by £1.5m of government … Continue reading New toolkit to reduce the energy performance gap in new homes
Better understanding how buildings really work
Too often there is a large gap between expected energy savings and actual savings delivered in “green” buildings. Richard Conniff writes on the e360.yale.edu website that the problem isn’t necessarily inept modelling but that there is a need to better improve modelling in order to help builders and developers. What are your views? Why … Continue reading Better understanding how buildings really work
Developing an affordable ambitious renovation
There are more and more efforts to go for more and more ambitious energy renovations of buildings. Patrick Sisson writes a good article on the curbed website about a project at Harvard University to create a new proto-type of ultra-efficient existing building that requires almost zero energy. How do you think it compares to other … Continue reading Developing an affordable ambitious renovation
What is the impact of smart buildings?
We read regularly about new “smart” initiatives from appliances to grids to buildings to financing. Mahmoud Ayman writes on the Camping Canuck website questioning whether smart buildings are living up to their expectations. What do you think? Are Smart Buildings Delivering on Their Promise? Buildings might move toward becoming “more brilliant,” yet that doesn’t … Continue reading What is the impact of smart buildings?
India setting good example renovating state government buildings
Living in Europe, we watch how central governments are meeting their obligation to renovation a certain percentage of its buildings annually. The Times of India writes about an initiative in India to do something similar. It would be good to know of other such initiatives. 1500 state government buildings to be made energy efficient … Continue reading India setting good example renovating state government buildings
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 