Natural Lighting In Buildings Reduces Energy Consumption

The twenty first century business world is all about saving money on operating costs and maximizing profits. Commercial buildings need to smartly use energy sources to power and light up their office space. Modern architecture incorporates a specific design that illuminates the interior of a commercial building with natural sunlight. Large windows are carefully arranged in patterns that allow the sunlight to shine through for most of the day. Many commercial buildings have lobby areas with wide open designs that include skylights and transparent glass walls. Such a design essentially eliminates lighting costs during the day at the (more…)

June 6th, 2013 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Plastic Plumbing Reduces Maintenance And Energy

Plastic plumbing has several advantages over more traditional metal plumbing. For starters, plastic pipes do not corrode or degrade like metal pipes often do. Metal pipes that corrode can cause leaks, which can be costly to repair. Not only will you need to replace the pipe itself, but you may have to deal with the water damage that can occur when a leak goes unchecked. Corroding pipes can also result in minute traces of copper, lead or other materials, many of which have been linked to Alzheimer’s (more…)

March 22nd, 2013 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Top LEED Certified Buildings in the Country

Green energy comes in many different forms: solar power, hydropower, wind power, geothermal power, texas electricity, etc. Most of us understand the concept of renewable, green energy but few of us realize the importance and even fewer businesses utilize the principals of safe and efficient rationing of energy when it comes to their facilities and practices. Those that do, however, are recognized by the LEED and awarded platinum certification. What is the LEED? LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and refers to a series of ratings that recognize high performance green buildings – buildings that make efficient use of renewable energy and natural resources with little detrimental effects to the environment.

Below is a list of some of the more notable recipients of the LEED Platinum Certification:

1. The Philip Merrill Environmental Center
Recognized as one of the “greenest” buildings ever to be built in the United States of America for it’s recycled materials and active and passive solar power use. Issues of both energy sustainability and material selection were heavily considered during the construction of this center.

2. The IGS Energy headquarters
As central Ohio’s first commercial structure to receive the LEED platinum certification, IGS Energy has had a positive impact on both the environment and the neighboring community.

3. Apogee Stadium, University of North Texas
This stadium is powered mostly by wind turbines and solar panels and much of the graphic elements are handled by the environmental graphic design firm, Focus EGD.

January 21st, 2012 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Drought Resistant Plants For Your Landscaping Needs Saves Water

Even with a strong economy and everyone had a job, using drought-resistant plants makes sense. Using drought-resistant plants for landscaping saves money, conserves water and helps the environment. Runoff from watering plants and yards can put contaminates in the lakes and streams.

Landscaping is essential to any home it provides curb appeal. Homeowners that landscape with plants and shrubs that require daily attention may soon find it is too much. When plants and landscaping require constant upkeep owners fall behind, and the plants show it. Drought-resistant plants because of their (more…)

September 24th, 2011 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Upgrade HVAC Equipment To Reduce Energy Consumption

Energy costs concern everyone. It is fashionable to be concerned with one’s carbon footprint and energy use. For most households the biggest energy cost is heating or cooling (in some parts of the country, both). Air conditioning in particular uses a lot of power but is necessary to maintain a comfortable environment in southern climates, especially in buildings not well designed to generate air flow even with fans.

Turning the heat down or the air up can help, but there are other things to (more…)

September 22nd, 2011 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Wind Power to Reduce Electricity Usage

Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural resources and wind power is just that. Wind turbines are a great addition to any new or existing buildings need to cut their electricity usage and costs. Wind turbines use the power of the wind to make electricity. Wind turns the blades, which in turn spins a shaft that is connected to a generator which makes electricity. Batteries can also be connected to the power grid to store electricity for (more…)

September 18th, 2011 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off

Solar Roofing Panels and Electricity Usage

Renewable energy is a buzz word. Solar power has been around for a long time. Anyone remember the ‘solar’ calculators that had to be held at just the right angle to the light? Solar panels have come a long way from that. Some even look exactly like normal roofing shingles.

Solar panels only work during the day and generate less power on overcast days. However, even in climates we would not associate with good solar, such as northern Europe, correctly installed solar panels can produce as much as fifty percent of (more…)

September 17th, 2011 - Posted in Uncategorized | | Comments Off