THE OTHER LOW-HANGING FRUIT
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration illustrates that buildings are responsible for almost half (48%) of all GHG emissions annually. Seventy-six percent of all electricity generated by US power plants goes to supply the Building Sector.
-Architecture 2030
-Architecture 2030
Washington, D.C., September 10, 2007 — Although buildings produce nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming, a survey released today by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) shows that 40 percent of voters believe cars and trucks are the highest contributors, compared to just seven percent who accurately identified buildings as the top cause of emissions. - AIA
TELL MEIn your travels about, how many buildings, residential or commercial, have you seen rushing to adopt green technologies?
In NJ, there are substantial tax-credits for solar outfitting. I've observed very little 'outfitting' going on.
I would have thought that, last year, everyone who was responsible had scoped out this kind of project, so that it would merely have to be dusted off for this years "crisis". Apparently, not.
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There are two types of energies, as far as I'm concerned, in a building.
There's what's called embodied energy, the energy it takes to make materials and then transport those materials to the site.
Then there are operational energies, the energies to run all the appliances, keep the space at a comfort level, operate windows, vents, fans, everything else.
You have to balance between those two different energies. Right now, in a typical building, about 10% of the energy used over the life of the building is embodied energy and 90% is in the operation.
If you wanted to really reduce energy consumption in the U.S., you would reduce as much operational energy as you could in a structure.
-Sustainable Ceiling
There's what's called embodied energy, the energy it takes to make materials and then transport those materials to the site.
Then there are operational energies, the energies to run all the appliances, keep the space at a comfort level, operate windows, vents, fans, everything else.
You have to balance between those two different energies. Right now, in a typical building, about 10% of the energy used over the life of the building is embodied energy and 90% is in the operation.
If you wanted to really reduce energy consumption in the U.S., you would reduce as much operational energy as you could in a structure.
-Sustainable Ceiling
Although voters may not realize that homes and buildings are responsible for half of the greenhouse gas emissions, most were willing to invest in an energy efficient home. 91 percent said they would be willing to pay an additional $5 thousand for a house that would use less energy and protect the environment. Of the respondents who would not make the extra investment, 69 percent said they would, if they could get their money back through lower electric and gas bills over the next seven to eight years.
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In addition to the inclusion of the AIA’s Federal Building policy position in the House and Senate energy bills, the AIA also is advocating for:
• The extension and deepening of the energy efficient commercial building tax deduction from $1.80 per square foot to $2.25
• The construction of a “Sun Wall” on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) headquarters in Washington D.C. that will generate 200kW of electricity
• Establishing a national energy efficiency goal for all sectors of the U.S. economy
• Establishing an Office of Green Buildings within the General Services Administration (GSA) and a consortium that includes architects to advise
• The creation of a Zero-Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative at DOE to focus on the goal of carbon neutrality
...
In addition to the inclusion of the AIA’s Federal Building policy position in the House and Senate energy bills, the AIA also is advocating for:
• The extension and deepening of the energy efficient commercial building tax deduction from $1.80 per square foot to $2.25
• The construction of a “Sun Wall” on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) headquarters in Washington D.C. that will generate 200kW of electricity
• Establishing a national energy efficiency goal for all sectors of the U.S. economy
• Establishing an Office of Green Buildings within the General Services Administration (GSA) and a consortium that includes architects to advise
• The creation of a Zero-Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative at DOE to focus on the goal of carbon neutrality
