Category: buildings

The benefits from a passive house project in Oregon

Passive houses are gaining interest globally. There is a growing understanding that we have to seriously reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in our buildings. Christine Serlin writes an excellent account on the Affording Housing Finance website about the benefits from a passive house project in Oregon.   Oregon Passive House Project Lowers … Continue reading The benefits from a passive house project in Oregon →

Energy management in our homes still requires more effort

In Europe we are trying to put the pieces together for an ambitious strategy to improve the energy performance of our existing homes. David Roberts on the Vox Energy and Environment website writes on many of the issues that need to be addressed.   Energy-efficient homes: yes, we want them. But we haven’t done the … Continue reading Energy management in our homes still requires more effort →

London’s Walkie-Talkie building leads trend for buildings to also be energy producers

London has changed dramatically in recent years with a skyline no one would have thought imaginable only a few years ago. One of the new skyscrapers, commonly known as the Walkie-Talkie, has been at the centre of controversy because of how sunlight reflects off it, causing serious effects. But, as Pilita Clark writes in the … Continue reading London’s Walkie-Talkie building leads trend for buildings to also be energy producers →

The impact of air pollution on our work environment

We read regularly about how air pollution is affecting our communities and the trends are not good. What we seldom hear, however, is how the air pollution affects employee performance inside our offices. Chris Mooney writes in the Washington Post about the findings from a recent research paper.   The hidden toll of air pollution … Continue reading The impact of air pollution on our work environment →

Explaining the rules for minimum energy efficiency standards for England and Wales’ rental properties

EiD has had several posts over the years on the upcoming minimum energy efficiency standards that landlords will have to meet. The international law firm Eversheds provides a useful review of the obligations that must be met.   Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards & the Landlord and Tenant Relationship Introduction The rules around minimum energy efficiency … Continue reading Explaining the rules for minimum energy efficiency standards for England and Wales’ rental properties →

Ireland starting to realise the benefits of improving the energy performance of its buildings

Sylvia Thompson writes in the Irish Times why making Irish homes more energy efficient is a good first step towards mitigating climate change and it also helps to lift vulnerable households out of energy poverty.   A retrofitting revolution Upgrading our homes and offices so that they use less energy is one of the most … Continue reading Ireland starting to realise the benefits of improving the energy performance of its buildings →

Scotland’s Existing Homes Alliance calls for energy efficiency to be priority in infrastructure investments

With the high level of fuel poverty and poor quality of buildings in Scotland, the Existing Homes Alliance is calling for the government to give a higher priority to improving energy efficiency. James Hamilton explains the situation on The National website.   Call to end scourge of poor housing with nationwide project With six months … Continue reading Scotland’s Existing Homes Alliance calls for energy efficiency to be priority in infrastructure investments →

Momentum building for passive buildings

More and more we read about passive buildings. Also, the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive calls for nearly zero energy buildings and they will soon be mandatory. Nicholas Falkoff writes a very good article on the Boston Agent Magazine website. It is good because it spreads awareness of the benefits. What do you think … Continue reading Momentum building for passive buildings →