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Want to know why air travel is still, by far, the safest way to go? Do you want to know how hospitals around the world can cut the risk of post-surgical complications and death by more than half? Do you wonder why the greatest triumphs of engineering, buildings and infrastructure, are beautiful, as well as safe and functional? The answer is checklists. I was inspired by this simple and powerful tool after reading The Checklist ... [continue reading]
Did you notice IREC’s July 11 news release regarding our accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a developer of American national standards? Do you know what this means? [continue reading]
People have different lighting needs at different times. They want brighter lights at the workplace, for example, than they do evenings in the living room. This is where the new energy-saving and LED light bulbs can play a role. The German industrial association Initiative ELEKTRO+ reports that these lights not only use up to 80% less energy, but also are more and more available in a variety of forms that make it easier to get lighting ... [continue reading]
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) Program released the draft Sponsor Guide and Reference Manual (v1.5) (Sponsor Guide) for public comment in response to the need for greater clarity of HPwES Program requirements. The Sponsor Guide is a technical document that outlines the requirements for Sponsors' participation in the national Program, as well as provides resources for program implementation and best practices. DOE is interested in ... [continue reading]
The mission began when our last child graduated from college and we began to look to downsize our living accommodations. We have lived in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, since the late 70s, and as nature lovers were looking for some land with a little elbow room. In 2011, after about a year of searching, we found a five-acre parcel, The Sumac Grove, that suited our needs. All of the New Urbanists are groaning now, ... [continue reading]
Professional Testing, Inc. and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory invite you to participate in a nationwide research study, validating the practices, characteristics, and activities of the four multifamily building job categories listed below. This is your opportunity to directly contribute to the development of the multifamily home energy upgrade workforce. [continue reading]
The National Council on Aging reports that there are more than 23 million Americans aged 60+ that are economically insecure (living at or below 250% of the federal poverty level). For housing developers in the southwest, this number is of particular concern. A recent study by the Arizona Housing Alliance showed that more than 200,000 residents are paying upwards of 78% of their income in rent. [continue reading]
Competitive bidding is not good for business. Besides the time spent doing an estimate for a job you may not get, there is an additional element that most homeowners are not aware of. The following quote helps explain this: [continue reading]
Got this in my email and thought I'd share. Very good article by Joe Laquatra on the current serious lead hazards that may shock you into action and other great stuff—including from Home Energy's Alan Meier, from the folks at Cornell University: Click here for a PDF file that contains the Spring 2013 issue of Housing & Home Environment News (HHE-News), the Extension Newsletter for the Department of Design & Environmental Analysis (DEA) ... [continue reading]
According to a recent study by Newport Ventures, Inc., a third-party energy consulting firm, insulated siding—vinyl siding with permanently attached foam insulation—can improve a home’s energy efficiency by reducing heat escaping through studs and other framing. While this cladding has been recognized as a continuous insulation option for improving energy performance for many years, now homeowners selecting insulated siding can have the confidence of certification to an ASTM quality ... [continue reading]
