Isaac Newton wrote about his work, acknowledging those before him: “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” The idea of the Passivhaus, or Passive House building system, is often seen as an original mix of super-insulation, tight envelope and controlled ventilation, when in fact lot of people were looking at many of the key principles back in the seventies.
Although building energy efficiency is improving, the sector still falls disappointingly short of meeting its full potential.
Even when a building owner or manager goes through the process of an audit and retrofit, results can be inaccurate and inconsistent, especially when compared across an entire portfolio. There are many reasons for this shortfall, but it essentially comes down to two factors: people and tools.
The people factor is real; the diligence of the audit team and the skills of the retrofit installers can change the results of an energy retrofit drastically. But for now, let’s talk about…..
Find how to decipher what’s stamped on your pallet to see if it’s safe or not for your project.
The Paris Marathon collected around 7 kilowatt hours of electricity during the entire race, which is enough energy to power a light bulb continuously for five days. Schneider Energy installed the tiles at the race as a way to bring awareness to the public of the possibilities of utilizing kinetic energy. Pavegen kinetic-harvesting tiles have appeared in shopping malls, subway stations and stadiums, successfully using the power of foot traffic to help offset
Read more: Kinetic Energy-Harvesting Tiles Generate Power from Paris Marathon Runners | Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building …..
Real estate appraisers have an updated tool to analyze the values of energy efficient home features, which will help those features be reflected in the appraised value. In March 2013 the Appraisal … Read more…
Courtyard houses made a lot of sense. The residents got outdoor space that was secure and usable at all times of day; nobody had to lock a window or door that opened into the central area. It provided lots of natural ventilation. The roofs were often used for rainwater collection. Jennifer has noted that they have kept people appropriately warm and cool without high technology- for 4,500 years.
Now, according to the Wall Street Journal,……………..
