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An "Outsider's" Perspective on the Built Environment's Role in Climate Change

I’m late to the party. Prior to working at Beyond Efficiency, I couldn’t have told you what a heat pump was, nor what Passive House meant. I only had a vague understanding of what a net zero building was, and how important windows, R-values and insulation were. I understood the academic meaning of “retrofitting,” but had no idea how it could factor into reducing or avoiding carbon emissions. All I knew was that I wanted to do my part to combat climate change.

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Introducing Beyond Efficiency’s New Hot Water Distribution Simulation Tools!

The built environment has a hot water distribution problem. There historically haven’t been any analytical tools available for hot water distribution systems. Utilities and states couldn’t compare different distribution system approaches and use that analysis to decide what systems to encourage and discourage. California’s Title 24 can’t reward builders for installing advanced, well-designed systems because there aren’t any models they can implement to let builders demonstrate that their systems perform well.

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Permanent Affordability Through Passive Design + Renewables

Beyond Efficiency is proud to be on the team led by Onion Flats Development, and supported by Love | Schack Architecture and GE Johnson Construction Company, vying for the rights to develop multifamily housing at 105 Mercill Avenue in Jackson, Wyoming. Our team’s proposal stands above and beyond the other finalists from the standpoint of its all-electric, zero energy, Passive House and LEED Platinum performance assumptions.

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Heat Pump Water Heaters Are for Cold Climates, Too!

Image: Outdoor component of Sanden SANCO2 from Beyond Efficiency's Berkeley Way Passive House project  

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AIA Code of Ethics Finally Incorporates Sustainability Rule

Image credit: Lake | Flato Architects – Georgia Tech Engineered Biosystems Building

Energy Monitor Buying Guide 101

This is the second in a series about home energy monitoring.

In Part I of this blog series, I discussed what home energy monitors are and how they can help save energy and money. Here I unveil Part II, where I’ll go over key features of whole-house energy monitors and discuss a few considerations when picking a monitor for your home.

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Can We Help the Environment with Our Modern, Electronics-dependent Lifestyle?

Earlier this year, The New York Times published an article by Kendra Pierre-Louis called "Americans Are Staying Home More. That's Saving Energy." The article refers to a study about the positive effects on the environment that have resulted from more people working remotely and shopping online. Despite these positive developments, the article questions whether people are truly saving energy if they are multitasking, working a second shift at home, or using more electronics.

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Giving Back: Our New Community-Focused Initiative

This spring, Beyond Efficiency is calling for proposals from organizations or families in need of building-related technical assistance. Applicants must be based in either the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area or Teton County, Wyoming or Idaho.

"We were researching one-day team volunteer opportunities when we realized we could provide more value and service by volunteering directly and doing the work we do best," said Katy Hollbacher, Principal of Beyond Efficiency.

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