Smart technology can help commercial buildings reduce their energy use

The CNA Finance website has an article that describes the benefits of building automation. We Need A Smarter Process for Building Automation Commercial buildings are huge energy consumers that pollute the environment. The good news is that smart building technology exists to provide a solution to this problem for over 5.4 million US commercial … Continue reading Smart technology can help commercial buildings reduce their energy use →

New developments in domestic batteries

Shane Hickey writes a good article in the Guardian about a London startup that tailors smaller, cheaper batteries for UK households to use more of their own generated solar energy The innovators: how smaller batteries give more power to UK solar households When Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla, took to the stage … Continue reading New developments in domestic batteries →

Britain’s domestic energy efficiency strategy needs more money

While another post this week detailed that the UK’s domestic energy efficiency programmes are off track, Rebecca McAdam writes on the 24dash.com website that the Climate Change Committee, that provides independent, evidence-based advice to the UK Government and Parliament, stresses that the government must provide more adequate and effective resources. CCC urges increased investment … Continue reading Britain’s domestic energy efficiency strategy needs more money →

Developments in retrofit metal roofing

The Steelworks website from the American Iron and Steel Institute writes about retrofit metal roofing that helps heat and cool buildings, produces electricity for the grid, and harvests rainwater. Is this the way of the future? High Tech Roofing Brings Energy Efficiency to Department of Defense The nation’s largest energy user, the Department of … Continue reading Developments in retrofit metal roofing →

New passive-design high-rise being built in New York City

Christian de Looper writes a good article in Tech Times about a new high-rise apartment building that will make it the largest passive building in the world. This 26-Story Building Will Be The Largest Passive Building Ever Built Passive energy-powered buildings are becoming more popular, although most of those that pass the requirements to … Continue reading New passive-design high-rise being built in New York City →

Novel way to do a building retrofit

ClickGreen provides a fascinating article about how several buildings in London are taking advantage of the Energy Company Obligation. Specialist abseilers provide energy efficiency refit to London tower blocks Dozens of London tower blocks are receiving energy efficiency refits with £500,000 worth of insulation installed by a specialist team of abseilers. The residential buildings … Continue reading Novel way to do a building retrofit →

Explaining new energy efficiency standards for commercial properties in England and Wales

Sarah Brimacombe of the law firm Clyde and Co LLP has written an excellent article on the Lexology website about the implications of the new minimum energy efficiency standards on commercial buildings. Is there anything comparable in other countries? New regulations on minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial properties: tenants beware! New minimum energy … Continue reading Explaining new energy efficiency standards for commercial properties in England and Wales →

Getting information about energy saving upgrades into the market place

It is never easy to determine the market value of a home that has had improvements on its energy performance, as explained by Chris Mooney in the Washington Post. Here’s how to get real estate markets to properly value green homes From installing rooftop solar panels to putting in new triple pane windows and … Continue reading Getting information about energy saving upgrades into the market place →

New discussion paper on discount rates

The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) commissioned Fraunhofer ISI to investigate the current use of discount rates in energy efficiency policy modelling, with a specific focus put on the building sector. Discount rates are paramount to assess the costs and long-term benefits of different policy scenarios. In any policy discussion in the European Union, there … Continue reading New discussion paper on discount rates →

New portable tool helps map buildings’ energy efficiency potential

Dawn Killough writes a good article on the Planetsave website about a new tool that can gather information about building interiors – the design and exact measurements of a building and that can be carried in a backpack. The tool creates a model of an existing space or building, and also captures existing conditions, creating … Continue reading New portable tool helps map buildings’ energy efficiency potential →