Energy efficient homes often perform well below their stated efficiency goals. The reasons for this are varied; at times cutting-edge technology is not installed correctly or components are added in a piecemeal fashion and don’t work as a combined system. Building construction has to be flawless as gaps or cracks in the building envelope will undermine insulation efforts. You can measure the energy efficiency of any building to ensure that it is performing as intended. This helps identify areas where insulation is insufficient, air sealing needs a tweak or mechanical systems are not functioning as they should.

Once tested, your home will get a HERS rating. Traditional homes score over 100 on the HERS rating scale. An energy efficient home should score around the 50 mark while a net zero home has a score of 0.
Read more

Sustainability in the corporate world is a holistic approach to business. Here corporations aim to live in harmony with nature, improve the communities in which they operate and behave in a socially, culturally and economically responsible manner. Sustainable corporations take a long-term approach to development with consideration for the generations to come. It’s an evolution beyond the business practices that have resulted in climate change, destruction of natural habitats and social and economic mayhem.

Sustainability is profitable

For corporate sustainability to be viable, it must be profitable. Many corporations are beginning to see recycling as a way to increase profits. Retrofits which reduce their energy consumption have good ROIs as the corporations save money on lower utilities bills. Methods implemented to reduce their waste and carbon output will also save on carbon taxes.
Read more

On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the island nation of Haiti. Haiti has a long history of severe earthquakes, but none could compare to the death and decimation of this one. Now, two years after the devastating quake, rebuilding efforts are focusing on renewable energy and green building techniques.
Read more

Straw bale construction has been around since the 1800s, but fell out of favor as people turned to the more fashionable brick and mortar building techniques. Now, as the construction industry struggles to find ways to reduce its carbon footprint, the ancient practice of straw bale construction is enjoying a rather jolly revival.
Read more

LEED-certified buildings have been around for more than a decade and studies into the true value of their certification are turning up some surprising results. Getting your building LEED certified adds value not only to real estate income, but also to the asset-value of your real estate. Savings are compounded by low utility bills, better employee retention rates and fewer sick days.

Better for Business

A recent study by the University of Notre Dame discovered another interesting benefit; when they compared 93 LEED-certified bank branches with 469 uncertified branches of the same bank, they found the branches housed in LEED-certified buildings significantly outperformed their rivals. Professors Edward Conlon and Ante Glavas compared branches of PNC Financial Services Group and found that the LEED-certified facilities had over $3 million more in deposit balances in each facility every year. The LEED branches opened 458 more deposit accounts, 25 more loan accounts and boasted almost $1 million more in loan balances annually. After factoring in all the variables, the LEED-certified branches netted $461, 300 more per employee per year.
Read more

The Las Vegas fire department is opting for a greener approach by building LEED certified fire stations. Their construction material of choice? Insulated concrete forms (ICFs). The ICF stations will reduce energy consumption by an incredible 45% to 50%. Resistant to floods, high wind speeds and fire, ICF construction provides unprecedented protection for building occupants.
Read more