Richmond “Plunge” model for bringing sustainability to historic facilities

When remodeling or retrofitting a historic structure to today’s architectural standards and building codes, there are three cardinal rules: be true to the building’s character, do a green restoration and stay on budget. While it’s not easy to achieve all three, with careful planning, it’s possible to reach a balanced redesign that will optimally support human comfort while protecting ecological systems and providing whole-building efficiency, according to Todd Jersey, a Berkeley, Calif., architect who specializes in eco-restoration and green design.

Sustainability and profitability go hand in hand

When businesses consider strategies to increase energy efficiency, they look for the sweet spots where actions that shrink their company’s energy use also lead to boosting the bottom line. The key is to find upgrades and retrofits that will achieve a quick payback by lowering energy costs, qualifying for rebates and taking advantage of utility programs for free energy audits and innovative payment options.

Green framing offers eclectic construction options

Most of us live in traditionally constructed houses and buildings, but for those who want to build custom homes made with more sustainable materials, the choices are rather diverse – many more than the straw, wood and brick of Three Little Pigs fame.

Home energy retrofits can boost Calif. economy

A strong home energy efficiency retrofit market could significantly cut energy use and reduce fossil-fuel dependency while also helping to increase employment and stimulate the state’s economy out of its doldrums, according to Panama Bartholomy, an advisor to the California Energy Commission ( CEC).