Spotlight Article:
When Above Average Is Not Good Enough
Let’s imagine two neighboring families on a residential block—the Joneses and the Smiths. Their homes are of comparable size and age, and both are families of four, living typical middle-class lifestyles. ...
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Comparing Your Home's Energy Use to Others
Do you know how well your house is doing in terms of the energy it uses? Is your house operating efficiently or inefficiently? [continue reading]
The Current State of Duct Leakage Measurement: Field Evaluation of Five Methods
A study of test methods for duct leakage revealed that there is room for improvement in this evolving field. [continue reading]
Duct Leakage: How Much
Q:Is there a standard for energy-efficient ducts? I was called to a home built in 1955 that is under a warranty from a recent sale. The customer wanted us to “fix the ducts.” ... [continue reading]
Refrigerator Monitoring, A Sequel
How briefly can you monitor refrigerator energy use and still get valid results? Home Energy takes another look at this timely topic. [continue reading]
Energy Ratings for Rental Units
If a property’s energy use were made visible, would that be sufficient incentive to convince landlords to invest in energy-efficient capital improvements? That’s the question ... [continue reading]
Weather Data Getting Cloudy
In the last two decades, researchers have relied increasingly on computer programs such as DOE-2 and BLAST to analyze building energy use. For example, simulations can be used to extrapolate building energy performance from limited measured energy data, or to weather normalize predicted savings in energy management or shared savings contracts. [continue reading]
Calculating Water Heater Energy Use
Have you ever wanted to calculate how much energy a water heater would use annually in a given household? To make this task easier, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) has developed a straightforward equation that produces results close to those of simulation programs--without their baffling complexity. [continue reading]
Program Assesses Contractor Work in California
A new project will use building diagnostic equipment and techniques to assess the installation quality of energy features in new California homes. [continue reading]
Building Performance Journal Editors
Our Blog Has Moved
Thanks for your interest in contributing a blog to the Building Performance Journal (formerly Home Energy magazine). We’re ...
Jim Gunshinan
Is Energy Efficiency an American Value?
Energy efficiency is good for the economy, good for families, good for workers, and good for the environment.
