February 4, 2012

Fi-Foil EnergyStar 2012 Exhibit

February 4, 2012 No Comments

Fii-Foil® Company has announced its insulation for CMU block walls meets the new ENERGY STAR version 3 (and 3.1) for new home construction, which took effect Jan. 1, 2012. Fi-Foil’s insulation products for exterior block walls will also assist the builder and remodeler to cost effectively meet the newest 2010 version of the Florida Energy Code, which will go into effect in March 2012.
Under the ENERGY STAR for Homes program, homes must be a minimum of 15% to 30% more energy efficient compared to homes meeting the minimum requirements of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Fi-Foil worked with representatives from ENERGY STAR and with a third-party engineering firm, R&D Services of Cookeville, Tennessee, to assess its products for compliance. The review was concluded in October 2011. According to R&D’s David W. Yarbrough, Phd. PE, “Masonry wall assemblies with Fi-Foil’s R-4.1 reflective insulation installed on nominal 1-by-2-inch wood furring or Fi-Foil’s R-7 reflective insulation installed on nominal 2-by-2-inch wood furring satisfies the ‘mass wall’ requirements for ENERGY STAR version 3.“

Earth Advantage Institute’s EPS Auditor™ Energy Modeling Software Ranked First

February 4, 2012 No Comments

Portland, Ore., January 30, 2012- A third-party research study recently announced that Earth Advantage Institute’s EPS Auditor™ energy modeling software ranked first overall for its accuracy and consistency at estimating “asset-based” energy performance metrics for existing homes in the Pacific Northwest. An asset-based rating for homes is comparable to a “miles-per-gallon” rating for vehicles, because both ratings assess performance independent of occupant behavior. Other details of the study are:
• The final results were: first place, Earth Advantage; second place, EnergyMeasure Home; third place, EnergySavvy.
• The energy modeling software tested included Earth Advantage’s EPS Auditor, based on Michael Blasnik’s SIMPLE algorithm; EnergyMeasure Home (EMH), developed by Conservation Services Group (CSG); Energy Savvy; Recurve; and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Scoring Tool (HEST).

Solar panels and exposed utility piping at a sustainable energy facility on a university campus, surrounded by native landscaping and modern academic buildings.

EcoCampus: Educating Through Sustainable Design

February 4, 2012 No Comments

The EcoCampus – California’s first sustainable utility campus – was unveiled last weekend in Burbank, CA.
The new power plant was transformed from an industrial relic into a state-of-the-art regenerative green space, through the collaborative efforts of Burbank Water and Power and AHBE Landscape Architects (http://www.burbankwaterandpower.com) and (http://ahbe.com).
With the latest in sustainable landscape technology, 3 LEED Platinum buildings (of the 50 recognized throughout the state), and inclusion in the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) pilot program, the EcoCampus is a groundbreaking model for the nation as a leader in sustainable energy.

Futuristic city street with electric, autonomous, and hydrogen cars among green buildings and charging stations.

EPA Smart Growth Communities for Economic Resilience

February 4, 2012 No Comments

Funds will go to 56 communities including Northern and Central Calif., Arizona, and Nevada
SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today named 56 communities in 26 states that will receive technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. Communities granted assistance include Contra Costa County and Modesto, California, Surprise, Arizona and Henderson Nevada. Each community will receive the assistance from EPA-funded private-sector experts. The technical experts will work with the communities on actions they can take to improve the economy, the environment, and quality of life. Some examples may include improving pedestrian access and safety, incorporating green infrastructure, or conducting an economic and fiscal health assessment.
Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities is a project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities among EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently. The partnership is helping communities across the country create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that attract businesses.