energy

On July 17, 2008, California became the first state in the nation to incorporate green building standards into its building codes. The codes, developed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), will be phased in over the next three years.

The standards address the following key issues:

• Energy Efficiency (to be phased in beginning July 2009): The HCD standards require compliance with the California Energy Commission’s Residential Energy Efficiency Standards, which will increase the stringency of existing statewide energy standards by 20 percent. The new standards will make new California homes approximately 50 percent more energy-efficient than homes built to national energy standards.

• Air Quality, Moisture Control & Resource Conservation (to be phased in beginning January 2011): There are 16 features in this category that will become mandatory at the same time as the new 2010 edition of the California Building Code takes effect. Among these features are requirements for low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) adhesives, paints and coatings; high-efficiency air conditioning filters to better filter out dust and particulates; and always-on exhaust fans to ensure better fresh air circulation in the home.

• Water Conservation (to be phased in beginning July 2011): The HCD standards require a 20 percent reduction in overall water use within all new homes . While this new water-conserving building code will allow a variety of compliance options, it is anticipated that compliance with this requirement will commonly be met via installation of new super-low flow toilets and showerheads.

Los Angeles and San Francisco have adopted even stricter rules, and the state regulations won't trump these higher standards (this had been a major sticking point in the legislation).

We applaud California for passing this law and hope that other states will follow California's lead.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: July 17, 2008
===========================================================

Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://greenerbuildings.com/enewsletters/2008/greenerbuildings/index.htm...

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURES AND COLUMNS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Whole Systems Green Cleaning
By Fred Klammt, McMorrow Report
http://greenerbuildings.com/feature/2008/07/17/whole-systems-green-clean...
Most green cleaning programs focus on using less toxic cleaning chemicals. While
using greener cleaning products contributes to a healthier and greener workplace
environment, facilities managers can do so much more.

How the Lodging Industry Can Help the Environmental Movement
By Glenn Hasek
http://greenerbuildings.com/column/2008/07/11/lodging-help-environmental...
Meetings and travel companies are taking a close look at their environmental
impact; although the world of lodging has also begun the process, here are seven
fundamental steps to greening the industry.

Open the Floodgates: The Era of Green Building Litigation
By Shari Shapiro
http://greenerbuildings.com/column/2008/07/11/open-floodgates-the-era-gr...
Until now, there has been little, if any, active litigation related to the rash
of green building regulations passed in the past few years. That changed July 3
when a new era of environmental litigation began.

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST GREEN BUILDINGS NEWS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

Fireman’s Fund Offers Green Insurance for Homeowners
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/08/firemans-fund-green-insuranc...
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company is offering a green insurance option to
homeowners in 26 states starting this summer.

Jones Lang LaSalle Acquires Toronto Firm That Developed Green Globes
By Leslie Guevarra
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/11/jones-lang-lasalle-acquires-...
Commercial real estate services giant Jones Lang LaSalle has acquired an
environmental consulting firm best known for developing the buildings rating
system Green Globes, viewed variously as an alternative, competitor or
complement to the U.S. heavy-hitter Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED).

New List Looks at Top Green Building Design Firms
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/09/new-list-looks-top-green-bui...
Engineering News-Record analyzed revenues from green projects to rank the top
100 design firms.

Green Buildings Take Top Awards at TOBY Awards
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/10/green-buildings-take-top-awa...
The Time Warner Center, a renovated federal building in Tennessee, and several
Canadian buildings were among the existing and new buildings taking home prizes
at the recent BOMA convention.

County Green Buildings Programs Grow By Almost Fivefold
By Leslie Guevarra
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/14/county-green-buildings-progr...
The number of county-based green building programs in the U.S. has almost
quintupled, growing from a mere eight in 2003 to 39 in just five years,
according to a study by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The study,
"Local Leaders in Sustainability: Green Counties," singled out four — Alameda
County, Calif., Hennepin, County, Minn., King County, Wash., and Montgomery
County, Md. — for having "solid best practice examples of programs that can be
viewed as models."

Four New England States Top List of Energy-Efficient Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/01/01/four-new-england-states-top-...
A new study by energy economist, author and university professor Jerry Jackson
ranks the 48 contiguous states based on the use of electricity in public and
private office buildings, the number of buildings in each state that exceed the
Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star standard and the cost savings
associated with efficient energy use.

Ontario Town's Water Treatment Inspired by Seaweed
By Sam Bond, Edie News
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/07/ontario-town-looks-seaweed-w...
The town of Mississauga has implemented a water treatment system that uses ozone
and nanofiltration membranes to sieve lake water to make it safe for public
consumption.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/current/daily-news

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The Top Green Design Firms 2008
http://greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/the-top-green-design-firm...
This first edition of the Top Green Design Firms, 100 companies are ranked based
on their revenue from green building design projects.

Energy Budgets at Risk (EBaR): A Risk Management Approach to Energy Purchase and
Efficiency Choices
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/resource/energy-budgets-risk-e...
Energy economist and university professor Jerry Jackson has developed a
framework that he says will help reduce energy costs and risk using tools
created by the financial industry.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems
http://greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar/2008/04/30/introduction-r...

Event Date: Jul 30, 2008
Location: Jessup, Md.

This class provides a broad overview of the major renewable technologies,
including solar, wind, wave, geothermal, general bio fuels and hydro-power.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/resources/calendar

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have received this e-mail because you (or someone) subscribed your
e-mail address to this e-letter. IF YOU WISH TO UNSUBSCRIBE, please
e-mail GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com with the subject line
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you would sign up for your own subscription. This helps us track our
circulation and attract sponsors.

TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply enter your email address in the space provided on
the homepage and click "SUBSCRIBE." We promise NEVER to sell, rent, or
swap your address with others without your permission.

GreenerBuildings is produced by Greener World Media, Inc., Copyright
2007.

According to a new book by the International Energy Agency, existing buildings are responsible for more than 40 percent of the world's total primary energy consumption and for 24 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The book, Promoting Energy Efficiency Investments: Case Studies in the Residential Sector, says that although improving energy efficiency in residential buildings is by far the most cost-effective way to increase energy security, reduce energy costs, and cut emissions, many efficiency technologies and practices remain untapped due to numerous market barriers.

These barriers include financing difficulties, a low priority given to energy issues, poor information, and a disparity of incentives available to investors and energy end-users, such as split incentives between landlords and tenants. The book reports that a new market for energy efficiency is needed to overcome these barriers. This new market will require increased private-sector involvement and strong political will, especially at the national level. The book examines experiences in the U.S., Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, and evaluates policies and measures for improving energy efficiency in existing residential buildings.

The book recommends public-private partnerships as the strongest way to attack problems. It also recommends multi-party packages to address multiple barriers simultaneously and a more systematic data collection to improve policy analysis and comparisons of countries' energy policies and measures.

I'm ruminating on the kitchen.
Maybe I'm just hungry.

For our kitchen, we decided to move it from David Day's west placement to the center. This really is how our family lives and I see that island being central to breakfast requests, snacks, and pipsqueaks and guests keeping me company while I cook.

We sit down for dinner each night, so it made sense to put the dining table in a nice area by itself where we could linger and recount the exciting adventures of the day. Romantically I envision the sun setting west as we pop open a nice bottle of wine and prepare to enjoy a seasonal meal with friends and family.

But let's get back to the kitchen.

We struggled over honestly asking ourselves how we really would use the stove/oven systems. I imagined balancing out a wood cook stove that would provide a secondary source of heat for the house (solar being primary) yet could be cooked upon in the cool months with the solar cooker in the warm months. But the reality was not so apt- as much as I adore solar cooking, I have yet to successfully make pasta in the solar cooker, and honeychile, we eat a LOT o' pasta. Despite the free wood fallen on the land, burning wood is not the most efficient, green solution.

Scott Kyle of Full Scale Architecture points out that really, "Using raw wood is not desired. Instead, consider propane and solar alternatives for heating. If you must burn, pelletized fuel is more efficient than raw wood. For cooking, I recommend propane for the range, and electric for the oven. Whole house heating off grid can be accomplished of course by solar hot water/radiant heat."

My nimble sailor side asked, "Well why not just reuse a marine stove?" Marine stoves are modernly minimalist, in my mind would be efficient *and* quite stylish in a casa ti. And, dur, being made for a boat, they run off grid.

But free, fallen wood is a hard option to bypass. Plus I was in LOVE, in love with the wood burning Amish-made Baker's Choice cook stoves. So practical, happy, homey, so efficient, so... me, I want it I want it I want it and I want it NOW! I would wear an apron for that stove!

But it seems not to be.

My always-too-sensible husband pointed out that with the efficiency of design and construction materials in our zero energy home, my kitchen dream would easily overheat the house. Kitchen dreams dashed by prefab efficiency! DAG!

So here's a compromise: See that area on the right for a modest but efficient wood stove? Let me tell ya about that stove. Growing up, it was in the rec room of our home, helping to heat but also dry our ice and snow drenched selves, coats, and mittens after a rosy-cheeked day of play. It will be recycled into the casa ti, reused for another generation in our family, and converted to burn pellets.

I guess I shouldn't complain- instead of a choice, I will have it all! The recycled, converted wood stove will be a secondary source of heat on which to simmer stews as I please, the solar oven used seasonally when it's appropriate, and the marine stove to fall back on for quick breakfasts or pasta.

Coming soon: The Kitchen Part 2: The Fridge, Freezer, Philosophy.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: March 13, 2008
===========================================================

Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST GREEN BUILDINGS NEWS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

SMBs Save Energy and $700K
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55695
More than 2,500 businesses in a suburb southeast of San Francisco participated
in an energy efficiency program that will save one megawatt of energy annually.
That translates to roughly $700,000 a year in energy savings.

New Software Helps Companies Control Energy and Emissions
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55705
PeopleCube and Building Sustainability Ltd. have joined forces to offer software
that will help companies better manage their energy consumption and greenhouse
gas emissions.

AMB Opens Southeast's First LEED Industrial Building in Port of Savannah
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55718
The real estate investment company's 347,000 square foot facility will be
certified to LEED-Silver levels, and is the first building in a planned green
business park at the fast-growing shipping facility.

ACE USA Offers Green Restoration Policy
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55694
The insurance company is now one of many to allow certain policyholders to
upgrade their buildings in environmentally friendly ways after being damaged.

Insurance Company Adds Eco-Friendly Coverage for Commercial Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55674
Lexington Insurance Company's Upgrade to Green coverage now applies to
commercial buildings, allowing sites to meet green building standards.

London Aims for a 25 Percent Energy Cut in Public Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55662
Through the Clinton Climate Initiative, London is partnering with energy service
companies to reduce the energy use of its public buildings.

ICC to Develop Green Building Certification
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55686
The International Code Council will unveil a certification program to ensure
that code officials understand the application of green building technologies.

Summit Boasts Green Real Estate Opportunities
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55698
The most cost-effective ways to use green building practices and available
incentives for sustainability were some of the topics at the 2008 Green Real
Estate Summit.

New Green Building Classes Added in Pacific Northwest
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55683
A Pacific Northwest green building group will add a nine-month certification
course to the newly formed Cascadia Sustainability Academy.

Calif. Awards Green Schools Grant
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55670
California's State Allocation Board issued the first award under the High
Performance Incentive Grant program aimed at encouraging green building
practices in schools.

CarbonLite Programme Boosts Low Energy Building
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55659
CarbonLite offers resources and assistance in building low-energy and low-carbon
residential and commercial buildings.

U.K. Group Helps Builders Meet and Exceed Waste Legislation
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55653
The Waste & Resource Action Program is offering a free template for Site Waste
Management Plans, which will soon be mandatory for construction, as well as best
practices for cutting waste.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Users' Guide to Green Performance Contracting
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=97382
This guide from the Leonardo Academy addresses how all interested parties can
bring sustainability into performance contracting.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/tools.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-= NEW FEATURES & COLUMNS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

How BIM and Green Tech Will Change the Construction Industry
By Scott Boutwell
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55702
Building Information Modeling, coupled with an array of alternative energy and
green building technologies, is quickly changing how construction and
renovations happen, and bringing high performance buildings to a new level.

LEED Certifi-able vs. LEED Certified
Simi Hoque, Environmental Design + Construction
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55720
In Boston, a new code requires all new construction over 50,000 square feet be
LEED certifiable (note the suffix), which is a little like saying that buildings
must be greenish. The code's stipulation of certifiable is a missed opportunity,
a weak gesture by city leaders to promote sustainable development in Boston.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ecobuilding 2008
http://greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=94969

Host: ANAB-Brasil
Date: May 23-25, 2008
Location: Paulista University/Sao Paulo/SP/Brazil

The conference is designed to enlarge the knowledge and discussion national and
international level on sustainable construction and design, since the basic
concepts up to the most advanced and contemporary architecture.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/search_events.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have received this e-mail because you (or someone) subscribed your
e-mail address to this e-letter. IF YOU WISH TO UNSUBSCRIBE, please
e-mail GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com with the subject line
"Unsubscribe GreenerBuildings News".

IF THIS MESSAGE WAS FORWARDED TO YOU BY OTHERS, we'd appreciate it if
you would sign up for your own subscription. This helps us track our
circulation and attract sponsors.

TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply enter your email address in the space provided on
the homepage and click "SUBSCRIBE." We promise NEVER to sell, rent, or
swap your address with others without your permission.

GreenerBuildings is produced by Greener World Media, Inc., Copyright
2007.

Call me a geek (oh, yes I heard you!) but I have a green building group on myspace.

Normally I would never bring it up, it's more of a diversion from work when my eyes start to criss-cross-- I then head over and drop a silly post on passive solar gardening (get it, a cold frame?) or take pictures of my latest solar cooking endeavor just to annoy the architects and engineers...

But two posts I would like to share for several reasons...
One, regarding a solar powered plant being built by Arizona Power, perked the interest of a thermotechnic engineer reader in Serbia. Next thang ya know, I'm dialoging back and forth with a charming Renewable Energy dude from Arizona Power and the Serbian engineer as they ask each other questions...

It really makes you think about the power we have to effect change in our world... and as I pondered those intricacies, I realized that the engineer’s questions regarding Arizona Public building a solar power plant reminded me that such technology and innovation is not national, not global, but that we need to apply and educate people within our own local back yards.

Here, in Virginia, there is a proposed "Clean Coal Power Station" in Wise County, Virginia.
Read Dominion Energy’s take on it here:
http://www.dom.com/about/stations/fossil/swva.jsp

...and opposition here:
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary/wb/149689
http://www.southernenvironment.org/cases/wise_county/index.htm
http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/news/news_detail.cfm?id=403
http://thegreenmiles.blogspot.com/2007/12/action-needed-help-stop-wise-c...
(and more...)

With technology such as Arizona Power is implementing... why are we even discussing coal?

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News
===========================================================

Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST NEWS & FEATURES =-=-=-=-=-=-=

Creating the Greenest Auto Mechanics on the Block
By Matthew Wheeland
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55562
AAMCO, the auto service chain, launched a green certification program that will
close the loop on waste in certified franchises and promote efficiency at every
step. Matthew Wheeland sat down with AAMCO CEO Todd Leff to learn more, and
discuss some of the challenges the company faced in launching the program.

Xcel Energy, PG&E Among Utilities with Leading Energy Efficiency Programs
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55580
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy released its second survey
of the country's best utility-based efficiency programs, finding that a handful
of companies are significantly stepping up efforts to reduce their customers'
energy usage.

Over 4,200 Buildings Have Been Energy Star Certified
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55584
The EPA's Energy Star program has certified more than 4,200 office buildings,
supermarkets, schools and other facilities as being highly energy efficient.

CEOs Increasingly Seeing Real Estate as Key to Sustainability Practices
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55592
Energy efficiency has become one of company leaders' three most important
priorities when it comes to greening operations, and bringing down energy use in
offices and facilities is a significant way of achieving that goal, according to
a new study.

Group Established for Sustainable Courts, Jails
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55577
The Academy of Architecture for Justice established a Sustainable Justice
Committee to promote green design and construction of police stations, courts
and prisons.

New Campus Sustainability Program Launches Comprehensive Push to Green Campuses
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55574
The Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), developed by
the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, will
bring attention to everything from buildings to food programs to education.

New Green REIT Aims to Make Investing in Sustainable Retrofits Easier
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55560
Green Realty Trust, a new project from real estate investor Rob Hannah, is a new
kind of Real Estate Investment Trust, one that hopes to make it easier to bring
big money to green building retrofit projects.

USGBC Boosts Research Funds, LEED for Homes Network
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55564
The U.S. Green Building Council has doubled the amount of money it will dedicate
toward research at a time when interest in green building is escalating and its
network of LEED for Homes Providers has multiplied.

Denver Company Donates Insulation for Greening Government Program
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36624
The state government plans to cut its energy use by 20 percent by 2012. To
achieve that goal, the Governor's Energy Office is adding efficient insulation
to its walls and ceiling.

Southern Methodist to Launch Sustainable Design Degree Program
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36621
Bringing together leaders from industry, government and academia, SMU is working
to develop an advanced degree program in sustainable design that combines ideas
from engineering, architecture and technology into a forward-looking Master's
degree program.

Honeywell Helps Hotel and Motel Rooms Become Energy Efficient
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36614
Honeywell plans to retrofit some 12,000 hotel and motel rooms in California to
make them more energy efficient on behalf of a program from PG&E.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

WebEx's Green Guide to the Office
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=97275
This report looks at the many ways that businesses of all sizes can contribute
to combating climate change, from employee-level recycling programs to solutions
from the IT department like collaborative working.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/tools.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Cost-Efficient Sustainable Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=94444

Host: American Business Conferences
Date: April 14-15, 2008
Location: Philadelphia

Come hear the country's leaders in green building examine the specifics of
techniques, technologies and case studies how to maximize both your investment
and your environmental performance, as well as discussing what worked, in what
regions, and why.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/search_events.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have received this e-mail because you (or someone) subscribed your
e-mail address to this e-letter. IF YOU WISH TO UNSUBSCRIBE, please
e-mail GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com with the subject line
"Unsubscribe GreenerBuildings News".

IF THIS MESSAGE WAS FORWARDED TO YOU BY OTHERS, we'd appreciate it if
you would sign up for your own subscription. This helps us track our
circulation and attract sponsors.

TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply enter your email address in the space provided on
the homepage and click "SUBSCRIBE." We promise NEVER to sell, rent, or
swap your address with others without your permission.

GreenerBuildings is produced by Greener World Media, Inc., Copyright
2007.

Building Green is one of the most important things we can do. When it is done on a neighborhood scale the advantages are multiplied exponentially. One inspiring example of building green on a neighborhood scale is the New Urbanist sustainable community of Oshara Village now under construction in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This unique New Urbanist environmental village, the first to combine New Urbanism and Sustainable Neighborhood Design, is the first example of its kind in the United States. Oshara will allow residents to drastically reduce their use of non-renewable resources and overall energy consumption. Studies by New Village Institute in Santa Fe estimate that energy used for driving will be cut by 60% and home energy use by over 50%. Through wise land planning, mixed-use zoning, green built homes and commercial buildings, and water recycling, Oshara Village will become one of the most green communities in the Unites States.

Many people understand that their homes or commercial buildings will leak energy. They also understand that over time it will hurt the environment. The problem is that it isn't a big deal to them because they can't see it. It is like telling a 16 year old that the sun can damage their skin. They don't see it happening so they don't worry about it. The easiest way for me to let people know that stick building, even if it does have decent insulation, is not efficient is with a picture. Building with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) is the best way to reduce energy leaks.

SIPs are a strong structural system consisting of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulation which is laminated to oriented strand board (OSB) forming a structural panel.

Now let me show you why. These two buildings are almost identical, located in West Virginia each has about 6,000 sf of roof. The photo on the top will show the thermal imaging while the photo on the bottom will show you what we are looking at with the naked eye.

The building on the left was stick built while the building on the right had a roof constructed of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) You can see the roof has multiple large "hot spots". The building on the right is a nice consistent purple showing that there are little to no leaks. The parking lots and road retained heat so they show up as yellow and orange.

Below are the same picures from the other side.

Again the stick built building (now shown on the right) has obvious hot spots while the SIP roof (now shown on the left) has no heat loss.

The use of SIPS greatly reduces energy loss. The direct benefit of using SIPs is that there is less energy loss and in turn there are less greenhouse gases being let out into the atmosphere. So while you can't always see the effect our choices have there are consequences, short term and long term. People can help the environment and themselves if they choose green building materials.