www.inreb.org http://www.inreb.org Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 Top LEED Certified Buildings in the Country http://www.inreb.org/2012/01/21/top-leed-certified-buildings-in-the-country/ http://www.inreb.org/2012/01/21/top-leed-certified-buildings-in-the-country/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.inreb.org/?p=13 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.

]]> http://www.inreb.org/2012/01/21/top-leed-certified-buildings-in-the-country/feed/ 0 Top LEED Certified Buildings in the Country http://www.inreb.org/2012/01/21/top-leed-certified-buildings-in-the-country/ http://www.inreb.org/2012/01/21/top-leed-certified-buildings-in-the-country/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.inreb.org/?p=12 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.

]]> http://www.inreb.org/2012/01/21/top-leed-certified-buildings-in-the-country/feed/ 0 Drought Resistant Plants For Your Landscaping Needs Saves Water http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/24/drought-resistant-plants-for-your-landscaping-needs-saves-water/ http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/24/drought-resistant-plants-for-your-landscaping-needs-saves-water/#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.inreb.org/&p=11 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 hardy nature do not require upkeep; they need less water and less fuss.

Long Wood Blue is an excellent choice it is drought resistant and maintenance free. The Long Wood Blue is a perennial shrub and grows up to four feet in height. Light pruning, when it gets out of hand, is all the attention it needs. Another great drought resistant plant is Autumn Joy or sometimes called stonecrop it is a perennial ground cover and grows well in rocks.

Drought resistant plants help conserve water and help conserve the lakes and streams. Imagine not watering in the summer time for days on end. As more people use drought-resistant plants, the rivers and lakes will improve conservation can be done at any level. Start with drought-resistant plants for landscaping needs to save water.

]]> http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/24/drought-resistant-plants-for-your-landscaping-needs-saves-water/feed/ 0 Upgrade HVAC Equipment To Reduce Energy Consumption http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/22/upgrade-hvac-equipment-to-reduce-energy-consumption/ http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/22/upgrade-hvac-equipment-to-reduce-energy-consumption/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.inreb.org/&p=10 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 consider. One is the age of your HVAC system. Older systems develop wear and tear that reduces their efficiency. Also, companies are working hard to create systems that do the same job whilst using less electricity. Energy Star rated systems are more readily available and cheaper than just a few years ago.

So, a very high heating or cooling bill may be in part due to a system that needs to be repaired or replaced. If you have an older system, upgrading to a new Energy Star system can pay for itself within a couple of years in energy savings. It is also worth considering an upgrade if your heating and air conditioning systems were installed at different times, as this often means they were not properly designed to work together and complement one another.

Upgrading your old HVAC system can save you a lot of money in the long run.

]]> http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/22/upgrade-hvac-equipment-to-reduce-energy-consumption/feed/ 0 Wind Power to Reduce Electricity Usage http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/18/wind-power-to-reduce-electricity-usage/ http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/18/wind-power-to-reduce-electricity-usage/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.inreb.org/&p=9 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 future use. Most wind turbines are tall, as the wind is stronger higher from the ground. When compared to the cost of electricity, using the wind to power your business, building, or home is a clean, pollution free, renewable resource. Wind turbines make electricity without the use of fossil fuels, it does not produce greenhouse gasses, or radioactive or toxic waste. It can make electricity for many many years to come, with little to no cost. Placement of your wind turbines is important to catch all the wind possible, so placing them where a building would block them is not recommended. More wind equals more electricity. Making the decision to use wind power for you home or business could be the best decision you have ever made.

]]> http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/18/wind-power-to-reduce-electricity-usage/feed/ 0 Solar Roofing Panels and Electricity Usage http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/17/solar-roofing-panels-and-electricity-usage/ http://www.inreb.org/2011/09/17/solar-roofing-panels-and-electricity-usage/#comments Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.inreb.org/&p=8 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 a household’s electricity needs. In some places, homeowners can sell their excess electricity back to the power company, resulting in a further reduction in bills. A system with a battery backup is more expensive but can also pay for itself by minimizing the amount of power that needs to be drawn from the mains at night.

Modern solar panels, especially solar shingles or siding, can also be all but invisible and not affect the roofline, although there are still optimum angles for installation that may not match a specific building’s profile. Climate and location, thus, have an impact on energy savings. However, almost every home can save enough money by installing solar panels to recoup the initial costs and many jurisdictions offer tax rebates or other incentives for installation.

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