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Green Building Blog

Is Energy Star Going Away?

Tue, May 02, 2017 @ 03:05 / by Jim Newman posted in IAQ, bEQ, Building Energy Quotient, ASHRAE, Energy Audit, Building Energy, Energy Star

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Note: Since this was article was originally posted, a budget passed Congress that does not significantly reduce EPA funding. So we believe the Energy Star Program is safe - for now. It’s good to know, however, what else is out there from the private sector, for example, ASHRAE bEQ as is discussed below. Our industry needs to be well-versed in all the options, not on a just-in-case basis, but on a what’s-best-for-the-customer basis. (updated 5/10/2017)

Since its inception in 1992, the Energy Star label has gained tremendous popularity, and today thousands of products (mostly small and medium home appliances) sport the Energy Star logo. Use of this program, run by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with the US Department of Energy (DOE), had saved $362 billion on energy bills and prevented nearly 2.5 billion tons of greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere. If this program goes away, as is being proposed by the current administration, we risk losing many of the gains that have been made.

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ASHRAE bEQ Updates Include “As Designed” Rating for New Buildings

Tue, Apr 14, 2015 @ 10:48 / by Jim Newman posted in Codes & Standards, bEQ, Building Energy Quotient, Energy Codes, ASHRAE, Energy Audit

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With more and more cities and states adopting Energy Use Index (EUI) requirements, the popularity of the ASHRAE Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) voluntary building energy labeling program has been growing. While independent of other rating systems, it actually complements those existing green building and energy rating and labeling programs.

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Unexpected Benefits of “Greening” Your Building’s HVAC System

Thu, Jul 10, 2014 @ 01:53 / by Jim Newman posted in HVAC, Commercial Building, bEQ, solar, Building Energy Quotient, Green, ASHRAE, Green Building, energy efficiency, Energy Savings, Energy Audit

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If reducing your utility bills is the goal - smaller, more efficient equipment is one way to get there.

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Why Not to Do the Easy Energy Efficiency and HVAC Fixes

Thu, Apr 03, 2014 @ 01:30 / by Jim Newman posted in HVAC, Commercial Building, bEQ, Building Energy Quotient, ASHRAE, Energy Savings, Energy Audit, Retro-commissioning, energy efficient lighting

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3 Ways to Get the Best Value From Solar

Tue, Mar 25, 2014 @ 03:10 / by Jim Newman posted in HVAC, bEQ, solar, ASHRAE, renewable energy, Sustainability, Energy Savings, Energy Audit, energy efficient lighting

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sun with billboard2The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) predicts another growth spurt for 2014. Not surprising, as solar power grew 40% in 2013 and prices keep coming down.

If you’re thinking about jumping on the bandwagon – good for you! Solar is a great investment in the future of our planet. But before you go solar, it is important to be sure you are ready for it. We’ve seen too many companies get all excited about renewable energy and then spend more money than they need to, or not get as much benefit as they could, because the building is not energy efficient. 

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