Energy Star tax creditsGreen Design
The top two tenant complaints are “too hot and too cold, according to BOMA surveys. This is also a reason why tenants move out. Building systems need to be tuned up. Regular recommended service makes sure that individual units run correctly, but often does not address the total picture. Not only do machines and “gizmos” [...]
E.F. Schumaker had it right in his 1970s book, “Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered”. The best results come from empowering individuals and smaller organizations (ie, neighborhoods and towns). This is because it has always been easier to get things done with smaller groups or networks than the larger. The cliche “Think globally, [...]
Corporations are not people, even though the US Supreme Court seems to think so. I think its despicable that they are involved in election funding. The $1 million that News Corporation gave to the Republicans is tainted. Rupert Murdoch and his buddies should stick to their knitting. Since the right wing wants to deport all [...]
Continue reading about Corporations should not be involved in elections
I have been working 6 days a week this summer, helping to push some projects to completion. I am now frequently on-site at the Bethesda National Military Medical Center in Maryland, to oversee testing on many M/E/P/Data/Comm systems being installed in 700,000 sf of new clinic, lab, and patient care space, as well as over [...]
A review of Building Commissioning: A Golden Opportunity for Reducing Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions By Evan Mills, Ph.D. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for: CEC (PIER) July 21, 2009 This white paper contains some compelling arguments in favor of re-commissioning. Money and energy are two items. A building is a kind of organism. We [...]
Alright, I will get off my high horse now and back on my regular horse. Back on the subject of energy and high performance buildings. Recently I have had the good fortune of connecting with some very good people and I am busy again at my profession. I am working with a great commissioning team [...]
Some people in communications, and in the real estate and investment arena, have been making assertions that green buildings have economic benefits not worth the trouble and expense. This is to imply that improving energy efficiency and measuring the results is not worth the trouble. I say B.S. I am not interested in casting shame [...]
Continue reading about Global warming : just the facts, Ma’am
BIM, IPD and “private” cloud computing at Little Diversified Architecture in Charlotte. This firm is on the top of the wave of change, being led by the author of the article, Chris France, CIO of the firm. This firm and its predecessors have always been very very good anyway. I like Chris’ understanding of the [...]
Continue reading about Design firm uses a lot of technology (BIM and cloud computing)
Simple is as simple does. It works. Its easier to understand. Easier to fix. The real world does not reward complexity. An important aspect of good design is simplicity. HVAC can be complicated enough, given the need to maintain various spaces at set temperatures, relative humidity and cleanliness. HVAC systems are also expected to maintain [...]
The latest numbers are that US buildings consume $320 billion/year in energy. 2/5 of all the energy used in the US. And about 40% of the energy (costing $120 billion/year) is used in buildings for HVAC. Some of the 2009 stats HVAC designs that I have incorporated recently into my office building projects are expected [...]
Continue reading about Better HVAC can save $48 billion/year in the USA
HVAC DATA model from LBNL
BetterBricks.com
Database of Energy and $ Incentives
From Horsepower to Hearpower, Part 1: The Foundations of Power and Energy
Oil Industry started (Drake's well in PA)
The Energy Collective
Architecture 2030
Jerry Yudelson
