Green Building and Sustainability Videos, News, Reports and more

An Architect's Perspective After Hurricane Sandy

2017-12-30T07:24:00.000-08:00

This video explains just how much of a tidal surge was produced by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and how one Architect helped a building owner avoid disaster using sustainable design. Green building and sustainability both have their parts to play in unfortunate natural disasters - this is proof.

Trane Sets Benchmark for Energy Efficiency and Sound Reduction

2013-06-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

Stealth™ air-cooled chiller delivers reduced energy consumption, improved flexibility and performance

Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, introduces the newest addition to its air-cooled chiller product portfolio, the Trane Stealth™ air-cooled chiller. Available in the 150-300 ton capacity range, Stealth air-cooled chillers deliver an industry-leading combination of part-load and full-load efficiencies and the lowest published sound levels for an air-cooled chiller in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry.

At the core of the Stealth chiller’s performance is AdaptiSpeed™ technology – the integration of a direct-drive, specific-speed screw compressor, permanent-magnet motors and third-generation Trane Adaptive Frequency™ Drive (AFD3).

“Building on more than 40 years of experience designing air-cooled chillers, Trane engineers brought innovation and knowledge to every component of the next-generation Stealth air-cooled chiller,” said Al Fullerton, chiller product business leader for Trane North America. “These new technologies deliver superior chiller performance and reliability, equating to an extremely low cost of ownership.”

The chiller’s innovative compressor design delivers peak efficiency under all operating conditions. As a result, the Stealth air-cooled chiller is capable of up to12.1 energy efficiency ratio (EER), minimizing the electrical infrastructure required as well as the impact of demand-based utility costs during periods of peak operation. The design also delivers up to 20 integrated part-load value (IPLV) to drive lower overall electrical consumption and ensure energy savings across typical operating conditions.

Additionally, the new compact, high-performance, integrated, low-charge (CHIL) evaporator technology optimizes refrigerant flow for improved efficiency and better heat transfer performance, while using up to 40 percent less refrigerant than traditional flooded designs.

Quiet operation is designed into every Stealth air-cooled chiller as standard, along with two optional InvisiSound™ acoustic reduction treatments available to meet specific application needs.

The key to low sound levels is the combination of variable-speed compressors, variable-speed condenser fans and an integrated compressor muffler. Because variable-speed compressors and condenser fans only operate as fast as demand levels require, their overall sound levels are less than those of constant-speed units. The integrated compressor muffler reduces sound even more — up to 10 decibels (dB) when compared to the previous compressor designs.

For additional sound reduction, the InvisiSound Superior package adds acoustical treatments to key sound-generating components. For installations that require the lowest published sound levels for an air-cooled chiller, the InvisiSound Ultimate package features a user-selectable noise-reduction mode that can be activated to limit the maximum condenser fan speed, achieving even lower sound levels and unit operation management to comply with nighttime and weekend noise restrictions.

“Three available InvisiSound packages provide flexibility for our customers to meet their buildings’ unique needs,” said Todd Duncan, product manager for air-cooled chillers. “Additional design features, exclusive controls and factory-installed options save time during Stealth chiller installation and assure consistent performance.”

Trane controls add additional performance and efficiency advantages. The Tracer™ UC800 provides the intelligence behind the Stealth chiller and features Adaptive Control™ algorithms that respond to a variety of conditions to maintain efficient chiller plant operation.

The chiller’s design allows for easy integration with facilities that have specialized requirements. In the case of a power interruption, Stealth chiller’s rapid restart capability can quickly regain full operational capacity, so mission-critical applications can maintain maximum uptime.

Unique to the industry, the Trane true 24-pulse drive produces low harmonic distortion levels that meet the stringent requirements of IEEE 519. Its rugged design also means the AFD3 can effectively handle electrical dips, surges and other imbalances to maintain reliable chiller operation.

Stealth air-cooled chillers include standard features and are available with additional factory-installed options to make system design, installation and start-up faster and easier. The chillers also incorporate multiple design features for easier, safer and less frequent maintenance once installed.

The Trane Stealth air-cooled chiller is ideal for a wide variety of building types and sizes – both new construct and existing buildings, especially for K-12 educational institutions and data centers.

To learn more, visit www.trane.com/Stealth.

Reporters may contact: Joan Schimml, +1.651.260.4983, joan.schimml@irco.com.

Modular building has graduated into green building

2013-06-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

This video was published a while back but it's worth watching again - particularly since modular housing and commercial modular construction have both become popular in the sustainable design and green building arenas. Architects are embracing the sustainable aspects of building in a controlled environment and specifying sustainable materials and owners are taking full advantage of the flexibility and time savings that are inherent to modular building.

Consider modular...it has come a long way in the last decade.

HUD and Wells Fargo

2013-06-06T16:45:00.001-07:00

Collaboration Will Focus On Investment In Communities

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that Wells Fargo Bank N.A., the National Fair Housing Alliance, 13 private fair housing organizations and Acting Assistant Secretary Bryan Greene have reached an agreement through which Wells Fargo will invest in efforts designed to help improve housing in minority neighborhoods that have been hard hit by the foreclosure crisis. As part of the agreement, Wells Fargo has committed to invest a total of $39 million in 45 communities across the country through various programs to support home ownership, neighborhood stabilization, property rehabilitation and housing development.

Wells Fargo also has committed to ongoing enhancements in its best practices regarding the maintenance and marketing of Real Estate Owned (REO) properties after foreclosure. This includes use of a revised Real Estate Broker Procedure Manual and property inspection checklist, and an enhanced training program for real estate brokers and agents who list REO properties. Further, Wells Fargo staff who are responsible for managing REO will also take the training.

In addition, Wells Fargo will extend the amount of time that individual REO properties will be exclusively available for purchase by an owner-occupant or a non-profit organization to increase the chance that the house will be acquired by an owner-occupant.

“HUD, NFHA and Wells Fargo are committed to revitalizing and creating homeownership opportunities in minority communities devastated by foreclosures,” said Bryan Greene, HUD General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “Wells Fargo’s investment demonstrates an ongoing commitment to stabilizing African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods in a way that advances equal housing opportunities and HUD is committed to working collaboratively with Wells Fargo to support the effort.”

“NFHA is looking forward to working in partnership with Wells Fargo to make sure that all communities have a chance at a fair recovery,” said Shanna L. Smith, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance. “We are thrilled to see Wells Fargo’s renewed efforts and leadership in this area. Many neighborhoods all across the country have been seriously damaged by REO homes left un-attended. This partnership will help to get some of those neighborhoods back on their feet.”

“This represents a significant commitment by Wells Fargo, HUD and NFHA to invest in programs that will strengthen minority communities affected by foreclosure,” said J.K. Huey, Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo. “We appreciate the perspectives and collaboration of NFHA and HUD, along with their efforts to shape the initiatives resulting from this agreement. Today’s announcement is consistent with our longstanding commitment to home ownership, fair and responsible servicing, and investing in the communities we serve.”

$27 million of the agreement will be used to support neighborhoods in 19 areas through NFHA and its member organizations in the identified cities. Those cities are Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Philadelphia, PA; Oakland, Richmond, and Concord, CA; Dayton, OH; Miami, FL; Dallas, TX; Grand Rapids, MI; Atlanta, GA; Prince George’s County, MD; Charleston, SC; Orlando, FL; Indianapolis, IN; Milwaukee, WI; Metropolitan Chicago, IL; Homewood and Dolton, IL; Toledo, OH; Denver, CO; and Baton Rouge, LA. A separate agreement calls for investment of $450,000 in Jacksonville, Florida to be administered by the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

Under the agreement, an additional $11.5 million will support neighborhoods in an additional 25 cities. Those cities are Austin, TX, Bakersfield, CA, Detroit, MI, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Fresno, CA, Houston, TX, Kansas City, MO, Las Vegas, NV, Los Angeles, CA, Memphis, TN, Modesto, CA, New York, NY, Phoenix, AZ, Riverside, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Antonio, TX, San Diego, CA, San Jose, CA, Santa Ana, CA, St. Louis, MO-IL, Stockton, CA, Tampa, FL, Vallejo, CA, Virginia Beach, VA, and West Palm Beach, FL.

First Leed-Certified Green Middle School Ribbon Cutting

2013-05-22T10:50:00.001-07:00

ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOLS BRINGS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING

EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

TO HARBOR GATEWAY NORTH/GARDENA AREA

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration for New

Environmental Charter Middle School Set for May 22

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 16, 2013 – Environmental Charter Schools’ (ECS) top priority has always been to provide excellent educational opportunities in underserved communities. It has never been content to stop there, however. The network of free public middle and high schools that prepares students for four-year colleges through experiential learning and by exploring the environment as a learning tool both inside and outside the classroom also is committed to being a good neighbor and engaged community partner.

To celebrate bringing that commitment to the Harbor Gateway North/Gardena area of Los Angeles, the school is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new Environmental Charter Middle School (ECMS-G). In addition to celebrating the opening of its third campus, the event will honor the many partners who have been instrumental in making the new school a reality.

Following the tour, visitors will have an opportunity to view the future Community Partnership area featuring Donor Vines that represent the ECS community’s contributions toward the school and its vision.###

What: Activities will include student-led campus tours. The tours will include different “vignettes” with five sub-themes that not only highlight key features of the new campus, but also incorporate the day’s overarching theme of “Building and Learning on a Green Campus.” The vignettes further will highlight the critical role sponsors have played.

Where: Environmental Charter Middle School

812 W. 165th Place

Los Angeles, CA 90247

When: Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Opening Remarks – 10:00 a.m.

Campus Tours – 10:20 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.

Closing Remarks – 11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

One-on-One Interview and Photo Opportunities Available – 10:30 a.m. – noon

Who: The event is presented by ECS Founder and Executive Director Alison Suffet-Diaz and ECMS-Gardena Principal Kami Cotler with presentations by ECMS-G students and sponsors AAA Flag & Banner, Boeing, Chevron, Cuningham Architects & Shangri-LA Construction, Raytheon and State Farm.

VISUALS:

Vignette 1: We Thrive (in partnership with Cuningham Architects & Shangri-LA Construction) – highlights the school’s many green elements (e.g., the Silver LEED certification; explanation of how existing space was leveraged to reduce carbon footprint and how the campus maximizes natural lighting; etc.)

Vignette 2: We Create (in partnership with State Farm) – through composting and aquaponics demonstrations, students will show how ECS is promoting creative thinking to bring its schools to life

Vignette 3: We Share (in partnership with Boeing) – reveals how ECS empowers other schools and their teachers with the tools needed to inspire their students to action through the Green Ambassador Program

Vignette 4: We Innovate (in partnership with Chevron and Raytheon) – students demonstrate how rigorous science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs are preparing them to be lifelong learners and college-goers.

Vignette 5: We Partner (in partnership with AAA Flag & Banner) – showcases project-based learning reflective of the partnership between ECS and AAA Flag & Banner. This partnership is built on a two-way exchange of knowledge in which the students serve as “consultants” who educate and inspire the company in its efforts to “go green.”

About Environmental Charter Schools:

Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) is a network of free public middle and high schools that prepares students for four-year colleges through experiential learning and by exploring the environment as a learning tool both inside and outside the classroom.

Deficit in Nation’s Aquifers Accelerating

2013-05-20T08:18:00.001-07:00

A new U.S. Geological Survey study documents that the Nation's aquifers are being drawn down at an accelerating rate.

Groundwater Depletion in the United States (1900-2008) comprehensively evaluates long-term cumulative depletion volumes in 40 separate aquifers (distinct underground water storage areas) in the United States, bringing together reliable information from previous references and from new analyses.

"Groundwater is one of the Nation's most important natural resources. It provides drinking water in both rural and urban communities. It supports irrigation and industry, sustains the flow of streams and rivers, and maintains ecosystems," said Suzette Kimball, acting USGS Director. "Because groundwater systems typically respond slowly to human actions, a long-term perspective is vital to manage this valuable resource in sustainable ways."

To outline the scale of groundwater depletion across the country, here are two startling facts drawn from the study's wealth of statistics. First, from 1900 to 2008, the Nation's aquifers, the natural stocks of water found under the land, decreased (were depleted) by more than twice the volume of water found in Lake Erie. Second, groundwater depletion in the U.S. in the years 2000-2008 can explain more than 2 percent of the observed global sea-level rise during that period.

Since 1950, the use of groundwater resources for agricultural, industrial, and municipal purposes has greatly expanded in the United States. When groundwater is withdrawn from subsurface storage faster than it is recharged by precipitation or other water sources, the result is groundwater depletion. The depletion of groundwater has many negative consequences, including land subsidence, reduced well yields, and diminished spring and stream flows.

While the rate of groundwater depletion across the country has increased markedly since about 1950, the maximum rates have occurred during the most recent period of the study (2000–2008), when the depletion rate averaged almost 25 cubic kilometers per year. For comparison, 9.2 cubic kilometers per year is the historical average calculated over the 1900–2008 timespan of the study.

One of the best known and most investigated aquifers in the U.S. is the High Plains (or Ogallala) aquifer. It underlies more than 170,000 square miles of the Nation's midsection and represents the principal source of water for irrigation and drinking in this major agricultural area. Substantial pumping of the High Plains aquifer for irrigation since the 1940s has resulted in large water-table declines that exceed 160 feet in places.

The study shows that, since 2000, depletion of the High Plains aquifer appears to be continuing at a high rate. The depletion during the last 8 years of record (2001–2008, inclusive) is about 32 percent of the cumulative depletion in this aquifer during the entire 20th century. The annual rate of depletion during this recent period averaged about 10.2 cubic kilometers, roughly 2 percent of the volume of water in Lake Erie.

Learn more
Groundwater Depletion in the United States (1900-2008)
USGS Groundwater Information
USGS High Plains Groundwater Availability Study
Contribution of global groundwater depletion since 1900 to sea‐level rise (journal article)

Video: Sustainable Building Materials Basic Training

2013-05-19T10:45:00.003-07:00

Recycled glass is a sustainable material.

This video deserves a lot more views than the 3,000 it currently has - especially if you are in a learning
mode about green building materials and sustainable design. I will be sharing this video with anyone that inquires about using green building materials for a residential or commercial construction or renovation project.

If you are a builder or developer - ask yourself how sustainable your "projects, practices and products" are after watching this segment.

This is part 1 of 3 and lasts about eleven minutes. Enjoy and share...and thanks to Michael Amish for a great tool.

Matt Banes

Video - Sustainable Landscaping Facts

2013-05-14T11:55:00.001-07:00

Part of green building is green landscaping and in this video Professor Doug Tallamy points out some of the most important reasons why specific plants and trees make up a truly sustainable landscape for any building, home or school.

It makes sense to landscape with a purpose!

Ford Launches Energy Efficient Lifestyle Giveaway

2013-05-13T09:35:00.001-07:00

DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2013 – Ford and the MyEnergi Lifestyle^® initiative have kicked off the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit contest with Katie Couric on her syndicated talk show “Katie.” Homeowners can enter this national contest for a chance to win a package that includes a Ford C-MAX Energi – America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle, new Whirlpool brand appliances, a SunPower solar power system and other home products designed to bring energy-efficient living to a typical American family. The contest is now open and runs through June 9, with the grand prize winner to be announced this summer.

Through the MyEnergi Lifestyle initiative, Ford is bringing together leaders in the home appliance, renewable energy and power management industries – including Eaton, SunPower and Whirlpool. Additional featured companies are semiconductor provider Infineon and Nest Labs.

The group worked with researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology to create a computer model that calculates the electricity usage of a typical family in their home for one year, and the potential savings associated with moving to an energy-efficient lifestyle.

As Americans’ thirst for energy grows, recent advancements in technology make this the ideal time to demonstrate the benefits of optimizing a family’s energy footprint. Along with 729 gallons of gasoline and 122,000 cubic feet of natural gas, the average home in America uses more than 11,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year; in 1930, the figure was 500 kilowatt-hours. That’s an increase of 2,100 percent.
Home appliances have made huge gains in reducing energy usage. Today, the typical smart appliance, like a refrigerator, uses 70 percent less energy than one built in 1980.

“We’re very excited to offer the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit to our winning families and to put it to the test,” says Mike Tinskey, Ford global director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure. “By combining a Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicle, smart energy-efficient appliances and renewable energy generation, we hope to reduce the families’ energy consumption and save them money.

“Our computer models suggest we’re looking at a 60 percent reduction in energy costs and a 55 percent reduction in CO₂ annually for these families through the retrofit,” he adds.

How MyEnergi Lifestyle works
MyEnergi Lifestyle shows how a typical American family can significantly reduce their electricity bills and CO₂ footprint by integrating today’s plug-in vehicle technology, smart home appliances and solar energy. MyEnergi Lifestyle works by leveraging technology so key energy-consuming devices in a home use less energy, while also shifting energy usage to less expensive periods. At night, for example, when energy costs are lower, a smart refrigerator can perform high-energy tasks like ice making or defrosting – just as Ford’s plug-in vehicles do with recharging.

If every home in the United States were to implement the energy-saving technologies MyEnergi Lifestyle incorporates, it would be the equivalent of taking all the homes in California, New York and Texas – 32 million homes – off the power grid.

Along with the contest launch, during a special Mother’s Day show Friday, May 10, “Katie” also surprised a member of its studio audience with her own MyEnergi Lifestyle home retrofit. Susan Berry, a substitute teacher from Ventura, Calif., was the lucky winner. “Oh man, this is fantastic,” said Berry. “Now we can give our 15-year-old Ford pickup to my son, my husband can take my Ford Escape and I’ll have the C-MAX Energi!” Check out Berry’s reaction to the surprise here: http://www.katiecouric.com/videos/katies-biggest-giveaway-ever/.

Write this way to a retrofit

To enter the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit contest, applicants will need to submit an essay of 400 words or less explaining how adding solar power and switching to smart, energy-efficient appliances and a plug-in hybrid vehicle could benefit their family.

Representatives of the MyEnergi Lifestyle initiative will serve as judges for the essays, and their determination of a family most deserving of the grand prize will help decide the winner.

For more information on the contest, including eligibility rules and to enter for a chance to win, click here for the “Katie” website: http://www.katiecouric.com/features/win-ford-hybrid-car-whirlpool-smart-appliances/.

The grand prize package includes:

2013 Ford C-MAX Energi; with a starting price of $29,995, C-MAX Energi is America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle
Eaton solar inverter, solar-ready load center with home surge protection
Eaton electric vehicle supply equipment and generator
Five-kilowatt high-efficiency SunPower system that can produce about 8,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually
Nest learning thermostat
Powerhouse dynamic eMonitor for energy monitoring
Whirlpool brand smart dishwasher, smart washer and dryer combination, smart refrigerator, hybrid heat pump water heater and more

Building on the trend of sustainable living and the next generation of net-zero home design, Ford also recently announced MyEnergi Lifestyle products will be featured in KB Home’s ZeroHouse 2.0 in San Marcos, Calif., and in other markets where this energy-efficient home is sold. The agreement between these two innovative leaders further showcases a growing trend where the typical American family can save money while reducing their impact on the environment by combining mainstream home appliance technology with an affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle and a renewable energy power source.

More information about Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup can be found here.

Prefabricated Bamboo Homes in Costa Rica

2013-05-10T10:16:00.003-07:00

If you have been following our posts we have been covering Bamboo as a sustainable building product quite a bit lately and this video continues our hunt for more facts, figures and examples of building with this hearty grass.

Plus, and it's a big "plus" we are on location and publishing the iBuildgeen Blog from Marbella, Guanacaste, Costa Rica where green building with sustainable materials and eco friendly practices are part and parcel with living in this ecologically supercharged part of the globe.

Enjoy and "Pura Bamboo" from Matt

IKEA Surpasses 85% Solar

2013-05-08T07:08:00.001-07:00

IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The 118,000-square-foot PV array consists of a 590.8-kW (DC) system, built with 4,220 laminated panels. IKEA Stoughton's program will produce approximately 695,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 479 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), eliminating the emissions of 94 cars or powering 60 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

This installation represents the 38th completed solar project for IKEA in the U.S., with one more location underway, making the eventual IKEA solar presence nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, with a total generation of 38 MW. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and globally has allocated $1.8 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2015. This investment reinforces the long-term commitment of IKEA to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. Consistent with the company's goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 250,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns/operates approximately 110 wind turbines in Europe.

For the development, design and installation of the Stoughton store's customized solar power system, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, Inc., a national leader in solar electric system design and installation with more than 9,000 systems built across the U.S

"We at IKEA believe in the never-ending job of improving the sustainability of our day-to-day business," said Frank Briel, store manager. "The Stoughton coworkers are excited to help contribute to this goal with our newly operational solar energy system. We appreciate the support of the Town of Stoughton, National Grid and REC Solar, our partners in this project."

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and aims to minimize impacts on the environment. IKEA evaluates locations regularly for conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material; incorporating key measures into buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, warehouse skylights, and water-conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, phasing-out the sale of incandescent light bulbs, facilitating recycling compact fluorescent bulbs, and by 2016 selling and using only L.E.D. bulbs. IKEA also installed electric vehicle charging stations at nine stores in the Western U.S.

HVAC ROI: beyond energy efficiency

2013-05-07T19:51:00.001-07:00

(Dallas, TX May 7, 2013) When it comes to helping your customers get the most out of their HVAC investment, there's more to the bottom line than swapping out an old, out-of-date system for a shiny, new, high-efficiency model. While the new, higher-performing system will instantly result in monthly utility savings they can see, there's more to ROI than efficiency ratings and first cost.

As businesses consider the purchase of packaged HVAC units, tallying the total ROI—from first cost, setup and installation to ongoing service and maintenance—is the best way to determine which system will offer your customers the best return in the long run.

Here's what to look for when choosing or replacing an HVAC unit:

Easy installation
Did the HVAC manufacturer do its research to find out what the contractor needs in order to make the system easier to install? Simplifying the installation process is a win-win for both the contractor and the end user. It all comes down to less time spent on the job, and fewer subcontractors needed to get the job done—which in turn equates to less cost to the end user, and potentially more time for contractors to add another job to the day's roster. Look for intelligent controls that verify proper system setup with a guided menu that reduces complexity of start-up and commissioning, and keyed and color-coded wire connectors that simplify field sensor or thermostat installation and prevent miswiring. These features add up to a quicker and easier installation process, ensuring equipment is installed correctly and helping contractors get to the next job quicker.

Factory-installed options
Everyone benefits from features that help save time and money. Factory-installed options are another way HVAC manufacturers help contractors, as well as end users, save money. These add-ons are typically created to ensure the unit runs at its maximum capability and efficiency, offering peace of mind to the contractor and increased savings to the end user. Look for intelligent controls <http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/products/commercial-controls.asp> that record and track the runtime of every major system component for quick and easy troubleshooting, and multi-stage air volume supply fan technology <http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/landing/msav.asp> that provides customers with increased comfort and savings all year long.

Service and maintenance savings According to research, facilities in which proper HVAC maintenance is completed will use at least 15 to 20 percent less energy than those where systems are allowed to deteriorate. Performing regular preventive maintenance can keep equipment operating at peak efficiency, helping customers save time and money in the process. Look for:

* Hinged door panels that make units easier to service and eliminate the need for screws, which can come loose during service and cause rooftop penetration
* Units with slide-out blower motor compartments that provide quicker, easier access to the unit's belt, blower motor and coils
* An isolated compressor compartment that allows performance checks during normal compressor operation without disrupting airflow

Choose a reliable HVAC manufacturer
When it comes to selecting energy-efficient HVAC for light commercial buildings <http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/products/packaged-rooftop-units/Landmark/> , Lennox Commercial is an industry leader. Lennox' 18 SEER Energence® units <http://www.lennoxcommercial.com/products/packaged-rooftop-units/Energence/> are designed with comfort, reliability, efficiency and ease of use and service in mind, providing peace of mind to contractors as well as end users. For more information, visit www.lennoxcommercial.com.

About Lennox Industries Inc.
A worldwide leader in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems, Lennox Industries Inc. is based near Dallas, Texas. Deeply committed to helping consumers and businesses reduce energy needs and lessen their environmental impact, the company offers a wide range of resources for improving efficiency, including a selection of ENERGY STAR® qualified products. Lennox Industries is a subsidiary of Lennox International Inc. and is a global leader in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration markets. Lennox International stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LII." To learn more about Lennox International, visit www.lennoxinternational.com. To learn more about Lennox Industries, contact a Lennox sales representative or visit www.lennox.com <http://www.lennox.com/> .

Video: Sustainable distribution warehouse

2013-05-06T12:57:00.001-07:00

This video shares sustainable building concepts that facility managers and building owners can use to incorporate into new construction or renovation of any type of distribution warehouse facility. It would be see more industrial centers around the globe incorporate these concepts.

Video: LEED School Campus Part 2

2013-05-01T12:40:00.000-07:00

Here is Part 2 of a super informative video about a LEED certified school campus in Arizona. We had many re-Tweets and views after posting the first episode and think this one will net the same good reviews. Enjoy.

Video: Designing A LEED Campus Part One

2013-04-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

This video is the next best thing to an in-person tour of a LEED certified green building project. The Architect does a great job of pointing out characteristics of the design and build that contribute to the overall "intelligence" of the structure - all of which have taken into consideration the hot, sunny and dry Arizona climate.

Video - What is Bamboo and why build with it?

2013-04-27T10:06:00.001-07:00

Hello...this is Matt with today's green building video post. This video is helpful if you are considering bamboo as a building material for a home. The producer does a good job of explaining that bamboo is a sustainable and renewable grass - not a tree as many people believe. Happy Learning...

Hong Kong's First Zero Carbon Building - Video

2013-04-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

This video was produced in 2012 but it's worth bookmarking for reference if you are a builder, architect or owner. Make note of the under-floor ventilation system combined with the over sized ceiling fans. I like the point the designer makes about cooling the body first. Now...is it affordable?

Posted by Matt Banes, iGreenBuild.com

How to Design and Build a Home in a Hot Climate

2013-04-22T16:18:00.001-07:00

This video has some great insight if you are considering building in a hot climate. Pay close attention to the roof insulation advice.

Stay cool and enjoy this segment...Matt

This blog post was approved by iModular.com, a GBM Marketing, Inc. web property.

Green Roof Performance Monitoring

2013-04-04T22:24:00.001-07:00

WEB-BASED WEATHER STATIONS TRACK PERFORMANCE OF GREEN ROOF DEMONSTRATION PLOTS AT AMHERST COLLEGE

BOURNE, MA, April 4, 2013 — Amherst College in Western Massachusetts has installed a series of research-grade, web-based weather stations to monitor the performance of two green roof demonstration plots for its new science center.

The college plans to cover the rooftop of the new building with vegetation to help offset interior cooling costs, and help the four-story, 250,000-square-foot facility blend in with its natural surroundings. The building, which is estimated to open in 2018, will house the college's various science departments and programs.

Green roofs are an increasingly-popular means to absorb rainwater, provide insulation, offer a habitat for wildlife, and lower urban air temperatures. Vegetation, which can completely or partially cover the roof, is planted over a waterproof membrane. These living roofs typically include drainage and irrigation systems.

Four web-based HOBO® U30 weather stations from Onset, a Massachusetts-based company, are being used to help track local weather conditions to determine the most prolific vegetation varieties for the college's proposed green roof.

The stations, which feature double-weatherproof enclosures, are outfitted with plug-in soil moisture and temperature sensors that were installed in the roof's soil matrix at various depths. They also include sensors for measuring air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, rainfall, barometric pressure, and solar-radiation data. The units are affixed to the top of an 8-foot shade wall, from which they transmit data wirelessly to the college's computer network via HOBOlink, a cloud-based data access service hosted by Onset. This allows for remote access to data on a 24/7 basis.

"Remote access to data is key to the success of this study because it eliminates sneaker traffic from the team's office in Boston to the site on campus," said Gregory Johnson, president at Vermont-based Kilawatt Technologies and consultant on the project. "In addition, members of the design team on the West Coast can access the data instantly."

The HOBO U30 weather stations can also be configured to send text and email alerts when measurements hit high and low values that exceed set tolerance.

The weather stations are collecting data from the demonstration plots every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, for the duration of the 2012-2013 growing season. The data collected by the stations will help determine specific air temperatures, humidity levels, and moisture levels that yield the healthiest plants, and gauge how the green roof is performing.

ABOUT ONSET
Onset is the world's leading supplier of data loggers. The company's HOBO data logger and weather station products are used around the world in a broad range of applications, including building energy performance monitoring, water resources management, and ecological and agricultural research. Based on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Onset has sold more than 2 million data loggers since the company's founding in 1981. Visit Onset on the web at http://www.onsetcomp.com.

ABOUT KILAWATT TECHNOLOGIES
Kilawatt Technologies, based in Shelburne, Vermont, provides a data-centric, statistically-based, energy and environmental management program. The methods involve continuous trending and analysis of energy and interior environmental data for commercial, multi-family, and industrial buildings. Visit Kilawatt on the web at http://www.kilawatt.com.

Green Building Event 2013 - ISSP Conference Chicago

2013-03-29T09:18:00.001-07:00

ISSP Conference 2013
May 8 -10, 2013
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
Chicago, Illinois

ISSP is hosting its next face-to-face summit of ISSP members and other sustainability professionals from May 8–10, 2013 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Speakers from GRI, Alaska Airlines, The Nature Conservancy, Presidio Graduate School and other top flight organizations will address conference attendees. Sustainable Urban Communities, Integrated Reporting, Sustainability In the Industrial Sector and Green Architecture are just a sampling of the great content that will be presented.

In addition to a high quality agenda and a gathering of sustainability leaders from around the world, the program includes exciting pre-conference workshops, and the inauguration of the next class of inductees into the ISSP Sustainability Hall of Fame(TM), collaborative work on the ISSP signature Sustainability Lexicon Project(TM), and an interactive World Cafe that will help chart the future of the profession.

Check this page frequently for updates about the conference - http://www.sustainabilityprofessionals.org/issp-conference-2013 .

Registration discounts are available through April 1, 2013.
Register now!

Conference Registration and Hotel Reservations
We have arranged a special rate at the Hotel Knickerbocker for the days of our event. Click here to directly make reservations at the discounted rate for any of the nights of May 7 - 9 . If you wish to stay longer, contact the hotel directly at 800-621-8140 to make your reservations and let them know you are with the ISSP conference so that they apply the discount to the conference portion of your stay.

Sponsorship and Vendor Expo Opportunities
ISSP offers organizations of all types the opportunity to broaden their presence in the sustainability community via sponsorships as well as participation in a vendor expo to be held at the conference. ISSP is heavily promoting the event to its members and in cooperation with a variety of media partners. As a result, conference sponsors and their products and services gain visibility with thousands of people interested in the latest in sustainability. For more information about sponsorship and vendor expo opportunities, download the overview posted at the bottom of this page. Check out our great line-up of sponsors and expo vendors to date. Thanks to all of them for supporting the conference! Posted By Stephan Levitsky

Recycled Roof for Major Sports and Entertainment Arena

2013-03-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a good example of how recycled materials can be used to renovate a roofing system on a high use, very visible sports arena in Boston. The question now becomes - how does the owner pass the energy savings on to the sports fans?

April 2013 CALGreen Workshop - Sacramento

2013-03-21T12:01:00.001-07:00

Sacramento Workshop Coming Soon

March 21, 2013

Dear Colleagues:

Our April Workshop in Sacramento is coming soon. Register now and you can still obtain a registration discount.

July will bring publication of the latest changes to CALGreen, California's mandatory green building code, changes that will become mandatory in January.

You won't have to wait that long to find out what this update will bring. On April 19, at the Green California Summit, code experts from the Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development will lead you through the latest developments.

This is your chance to hear directly from those involved in the development of the code - and to ask any questions you might have about CALGreen basics or how the code will evolve in the future.

More Training and Free Concurrent Sessions

The Summit offers professional training on other topics, from changes in accessibility codes to meeting AB 1108's requirements for benchmarking energy use before building sale. For details, click here.

Your registration for professional training also gives you free access to the concurrent education sessions on April 18 and 19 at the 2013 Green California Summit, as well as the Expo, opening session on April 18 and the Leadership Awards reception on April 18. This is a great opportunity for you to get up to date on more than just CALGreen. Attend sessions organized by USGBC California, Clean Cities, the Institute for Local Government and more.

For details on these great sessions, click here.

You can register today at the Green California Summit registration page. Note: choose the "Professional Training" badge.

Session details:

Friday, April 19

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Sacramento Convention Center

1400 J. Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

SEATING IS LIMITED - REGISTER TODAY!

AIA continuing education credits available.

The session offers 3 AIA credits and .3 ICC credits.

Registration is $105. Seating is limited.

LEED Gold Creates Great Work Environment

2013-03-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

This video is a really good resource for any business owner or building owner considering renovation or new construction of a low rise office structure. I like the thinking behind the positioning of employees close to natural light sources for personal enjoyment of their work environment. So many other great concepts covered as well. Enjoy.

EPA Begins Construction of Groundwater Treatment System for Torrance Superfund Sites

2013-03-18T21:42:00.001-07:00

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2013
Media Contact: Nahal Mogharabi, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov

EPA Begins Construction of Groundwater Treatment System for Torrance Superfund Sites

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the start of construction of a groundwater treatment system that will clean up groundwater contamination from past operations at the Montrose and Del Amo Superfund sites in Torrance, Calif. The treatment system is expected to be completed in 18 months at an estimated cost of $15 million and will be used to remove chlorobenzene, benzene and other industrial chemicals used to manufacture DDT and synthetic rubber from the groundwater.

Under EPA supervision, Montrose Chemical Corporation will build a water treatment plant, dig 11 wells, and install approximately 30,000 feet of underground piping. The completed system will draw contaminated groundwater from the aquifer, remove the industrial chemicals, and then return the treated water back underground. The treated water will not be served as drinking water, but will instead be re-injected to surround the contamination and prevent it from any further movement into unaffected groundwater areas.

Construction will take place on both public and private property. Wind screens and noise blankets will be used to control dust and noise generated during construction work. In addition, the construction team will use the best available dust control measures to protect construction workers and prevent migration of DDT-impacted dust outside of the work area. Dust and air monitoring will be conducted during all construction activities, and plans are in place to ensure that dust does not blow into residential areas or businesses.

Montrose Chemical Corporation of California manufactured the pesticide DDT from 1947 until 1982. Chlorobenzene was a raw material used in making DDT. The Del Amo Superfund site, located adjacent to the Montrose site, was formerly a synthetic rubber manufacturing facility that used benzene, naphthalene and ethyl benzene. Groundwater contamination from both sites has co-mingled and will be cleaned up by this single treatment system.

For more information and project updates on the Del Amo and Montrose Superfund Sites, please visit: www.epa.gov/region09/montrose

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Stylish & Sustainable Green Building with Reclaimed Materials

2013-03-16T15:18:00.001-07:00

I like the point about how reclaimed building materials have already offgassed....this is a really good video to watch for new and remodeling projects.