ToolBase E-News - 12/31/2007 (Plain Text Version)

NAHB Green Building Program Fuels Savings

Green building may be beneficial for the environment but, according to a recent National Opinion Survey, most homeowners buy green primarily to benefit their wallets.
A recent article in the Cincinnati News Enquirer (Doug DeLay, 12/16/07) cites the survey, which found that nearly two-thirds of consumers polled said “reduced energy costs” would be their primary reason for buying a green home or remodeling their own home. According to the article, NAHB’s Green Building Standards can help a green homebuyer’s money go even further. Affordability is built in throughout the program, which allows money to go to green features, not green program fees. The NAHB Green Building Program, which will launch in February 2008, certifies homes that meet energy-efficiency levels that are at least equivalent to ENERGY STAR. To learn more, read the article.

New Energy Act Supports Renewable Energy Research, ‘Green Collar’ Training

The new 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, recently signed into law by President Bush, includes several measures that will affect construction, including renewable energy and green building provisions. According to a summary of the bill provided by Energy Priorities magazine (Denis Du Bois, 12/19/07), the legislation improves the efficiency of consumer appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators, and requires more efficient lighting. It includes training to develop a skilled workforce for installing and maintaining solar equipment and creates an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program to train for “green collar” jobs, such green building construction workers. It also supports research for advanced energy technologies, including marine renewable energy (producing power from ocean waves), geothermal energy, and hydrogen energy. To learn more, read the article. [return to top]

Washington Builders' Association Limits Runoff Despite Record Rainfall

According to a recent article in Nation’s Building News (12/17/07), record-breaking rainfall in the Northwest in early December overwhelmed stormwater management systems in Washington State, but left the Kitsap Home Builders Association unscathed, thanks to new low-impact development (LID) technologies installed by member volunteers. LID features, such as the pervious pavement and rain garden that have been installed at the HBA stop or slow the release of stormwater from a site, which allows it to gradually seep back into the ground. The HBA won a Public Involvement and Education grant to install and demonstrate LID projects such as this, and is also participating in an effort to develop voluntary LID standards under an EPA grant. For more information, including a link to a video showing the LID features they implemented, read the article. [return to top]

10,000+ New York ENERGY STAR-Labeled Homes Save 14 Million Kw-Hours of Electricity

According to a recent release (12/19/07), New York residents and builders have significantly reduced the state's overall energy use and greenhouse gas emissions over the last six years by investing in homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR label. The 10,800 New York ENERGY STAR-labeled homes built since 2001 make up nearly 14 percent of the state’s new construction market. Under the program, homes use air sealing and insulation, high-quality windows and doors, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, sealed duct work and ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances. To date, the homes have saved nearly 14 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 603 billion BTUs of fossil fuel. To learn more, read the release or visit www.getenergysmart.org/. [return to top]

New Earthquake-Resistant Building Part Developed

According to a recent article in the China Post (12/7/07), researchers at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) have developed a new earthquake-resistant component for buildings. The component, a “low-yield strength, energy dissipation steel structure for seismic shear force,” provides improved seismic wave absorption and building structure protection. According to researchers, the easy-to-install component can endure a shear deformation angle of more than 16 degrees, securing structures even during large earthquakes. To learn more, read the article. [return to top]