My totally speculative and unsubstantiated theory is that most organizations have the capacity to do one thing well. In the case of USGBC that thing appears to be marketing. Developing rigorous standards to ensure that people design and construct good buildings? Not so much…http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/24/green-building-leed-certification/1650517/ In U.S. building industry, is it too easy to be green? USA TODAY’s analysis shows that […]
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Beautiful article by Gary Katz
It never ceases to amaze me that you can read the best work from the most brilliant people on the internet for free. http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2012/09/28/sells-mansion/ The Sells Mansion – Columbus, OH | THISisCarpentry (This article originally appeared on GaryMKatz.com). A few years ago, I was riding on a plane to Columbus for JLC LIVE. I was working away on my laptop, […]
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We're going to build something cool!
We're going to build something cool! Embedded Link Net Zero Energy Houses I recently enrolled in Marc Rosenbaum’s Zero Net Energy Homes class, which is starting on October 1st. Marc’s blog is here. I’m a fan. As part of the class, I’m designing a zero net energy tiny house … View this post on Google+ Post imported by Google+Blog for […]
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Net Zero Energy Houses
I recently enrolled in Marc Rosenbaum’s Zero Net Energy Homes class, which is starting on October 1st. Marc’s blog is here. I’m a fan. As part of the class, I’m designing a zero net energy tiny house on a trailer. Depending on cash flow, Abel and I are hoping to build the house in the fall. If you’d like a […]
Category Energy Efficiency, News
Tags Custom, Design, Efficiency, Performance
All of the Cost and Half of the Performance
We have the capacity to build much better buildings. Buildings withdrew a fraction of the energy consumption. Buildings that require painting less than every 20 years. Buildings that don’t leak water, even in extreme conditions.But we don’t build many buildings like this. Instead we use a hodge-podge of glitzy new technologies and really poor techniques that result in not very […]
Category Construction, News
Tags Efficiency, Siding, Water
Accuvents
Much of the traffic on this blog arrives here by searching for information about Accuvent ventilation baffles. We don’t have any commercial interest in Accuvents or the company who makes Accuvent, which is Berger. We use a fair number of Accuvents, but we never – yes never – install them to the manufacturer’s standard. In doing so we always – […]
Category Energy Efficiency, News
Tags Duct, Efficiency, Performance
My short blog post on the FTC's settlement with some of the lying liars who sell…
My short blog post on the FTC's settlement with some of the lying liars who sell replacement windows. Embedded Link FTC Smacks Down Replacement Window Hucksters! According to the Federal Trade Commission, replacement window companies “must have scientific evidence before making marketing claims.” Apparently a lot of replacement window companies didn’t realize … View this post on Google+ Post imported […]
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FTC Smacks Down Replacement Window Hucksters!
According to the Federal Trade Commission, replacement window companies “must have scientific evidence before making marketing claims.” Apparently a lot of replacement window companies didn’t realize that lying is frowned upon. Here’s a link to the FTC press release. One interesting point, even claiming “up to” x percentage of energy savings incurred the wrath of the FTC. This could have […]
Category Energy Efficiency, News
Tags Efficiency, Windows
This class looks awesome! Marc Rosenbaum is real heavy-weight in the field of energy…
This class looks awesome! Marc Rosenbaum is real heavy-weight in the field of energy efficiency. I'll post updates for my incredible G+ following as the class progresses. NESEA Building Energy Masters Series Zero Net Energy Homes – Thriving On Low Carbon I’m pumped about this. It’s taking a huge amount of time – I’ve taken this week off to get […]
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Here's a progress shot of a semi-conditioned attic
The goal is to enclose most of the equipment and ducts in conditioned space. There's a very high energy penalty for putting duct systems in unconditioned space. View this post on Google+ Post imported by Google+Blog for WordPress.
