Green Goes Mainstream for New Homes
David and Martha Gurzick bought their new home for its historic neighborhood and closeness to the cafes and antique stores of downtown Frederick, Md.
Now they are also warming to the utility bills. The Gurzicks live in a so-called net-zero energy house-a home so energy-efficient that over the course of a year, its electricity consumption is expected to be zero.
The four-bedroom brick house includes energy-eating creature comforts, such as a steam room and an extra-large washer and dryer. But when the sun shines on the solar panels and the Gurzicks are at work, the house produces more energy than it consumes. At those times, the electricity meter is running backward, and the couple is selling energy back to the grid.
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Efficiency Bill Could Be a 'Poison Pill' for LEED Green Building Standards
Energy efficiency proponents rejoiced last month when Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) reintroduced a sweeping bill that would provide incentives, technical assistance and new standards for energy efficiency in the private and public sectors.
The bill passed out of a Senate committee earlier this month with support from a wide swath of businesses, including the influential Business Roundtable. Legislators say the bill could reach the Senate floor before Congress' Memorial Day recess begins on May 27. Very few people expected any piece of energy legislation -- let alone something this comprehensive and progressive -- to see the light of day in Congress this year. So this was a seemingly good piece of bipartisan news.
However, a proposed amendment is dampening enthusiasm for the bill over at the U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC), the organization responsible for the popular LEED rating system for green buildings.
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There has been major progress the last couple of years in learning to make buildings more energy efficient. The latest milestone: buildings that create as much energy they use. Such "net-zero" buildings are a big step forward in energy conservation. But they also symbolize a coming of age for green buildings and foreshadow a new generation of energy-efficient buildings just over the horizon.
The growth in the sustainable-building movement overall has been swift and also appears to be near a tipping point. In a 2012 Turner Construction survey of 718 U.S. real estate owners, developers and tenants, for example, 90% reported being committed to environmentally sustainable practices, and more than 50% were "extremely" or "very" committed to green principles. Another straw in the wind: a 2013 McGraw-Hill Construction global report, which found that 51% of architects, engineers, contractors, consultants and building owners surveyed in 62 countries say it's likely that more than 60% of their work will be "green" by 2015.
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How Energy Efficiency Goals Hinge on Home Remodeling
In addition to updated kitchens and bathrooms, house hunters are increasingly looking for upgrades that might be less flashy, but will save them money over the long run.
About 94 percent of homebuyers want energy-star rated appliances according to the most recent National Association of Home Builder's survey of homebuyer preferences. Another 91 percent sought an overall energy-star rating for the home, and almost 90 percent wanted energy-star rated windows.
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NEWS BRIEFS
Do it Best Corp. showcased its technology innovations, special events and product deals at the 2013 Do it Best May Market, helping to draw in thousands of member-owners from across the United States and around the world. MORE>>
Manufacturers Reserve Supply, Inc. plans for expansion with the purchase of a land lot adjacent to their office & warehouse buildings on Woolsey Street in Irvington, N.J.
MORE>>
APA-The Engineered Wood Association has introduced a new mobile format for its series of Builder Tips. The new format optimizes viewing from mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones. MORE>>Got news? Send it to Rick@LBMJournal.com
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June 5-6 PCBC 2013, San Diego, Calif., www.pcbc.com
August 21-23 Florida Building Material Association (FBMA) Convention and Gulf Atlantic Building Products Expo, Orlando, www.FBMA.org, 352.383.0366
October 17-19 West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association (WCLBMA) Annual Convention, San Diego, Calif.,
www.lumberassociation.org, 800.266.4344
October 19-21 Do it Best Corp. October Market, Indianapolis, Ind., www.doitbestcorp.com, 888-DOITBEST
October 28-29 Principia Composite Decking & Railing Conference, Baltimore, www.deckrailconference.com
November 11-13 STAFDA Annual Convention & Trade Show, Las Vegas, www.stafda.org
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