In 1997, a group of energy efficiency industry leaders got together out of frustration with the lack of meaningful progress on energy codes. They envisioned a new organization dedicated to advancing codes, conducting research, and developing guidance to drive energy...
When we think of heat pump water heaters (HPWHs), our minds might not immediately leap to The Transformers—those sentient robotic beings who shift from one form to another, often merging their unique abilities to form an unstoppable force. In the...
We were very excited to join K-12 school district staff from across the country in Denver for the Schools Clean Energy and Indoor Air Quality Summit, as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s program for Efficient and Healthy Schools....
Reflections and Industry Insights NBI and RMI were thrilled to bring together over 360 industry leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina for the 2024 Getting to Zero Forum. It was an invigorating gathering, filled with thought-provoking conversations and concrete examples of...
Last week, experts from across the country gathered in California at the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2024 National Energy Codes Conference. At this conference, they discussed strategies to drive the advancement and adoption of building codes that support a healthy,...
To succeed in decarbonizing our energy systems, we will be relying much more on variable renewable resources like wind and solar energy—but we’ll need to do more than install more clean generation resources. We’ll also need to get better at...
Energy-efficient water heating took significant strides in 2022, according to the latest data released by ENERGY STAR. Sales of heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) grew 26% last year while sales of gas water heaters declined by 17%, underlining a clear...
Electrifying and decarbonizing existing buildings is critical to address the climate emergency and is one of the key priorities of leading cities, states, and utilities. Many people assume that to electrify an existing home, an electric panel upgrade from 100...
Have you ever visited a zoo or aquarium? How about an art museum, a botanical garden or arboretum, or a historic site? With over 33,000 cultural institutions in the U.S. (UNESCO reports), my guess is that you have been to...
With historic federal funding setting the stage, the seventh iteration of the Getting to Zero Forum was an opportunity to convene at a pivotal time, when there is more support and resources for decarbonizing the built environment than ever before....
The energy efficiency, cost savings, and versatility of heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) make them a clear choice for the environment and households across the U.S. With 120 million water heaters in the U.S. alone, we could save over 100 million tons in...
Greenhouse gas emissions from the airline industry are reaching new heights. By 2050, more than a quarter of all global emissions are expected to come from the aviation industry, according to a UN report. While many individuals and organizations are...
ASHRAE, along with 24 of the world’s leading building industry organizations, issued a statement a few months ago to government representatives attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 27) pledging to assume a leadership role in...
Central heat pump water heaters (CHPWHs) present a tremendous opportunity to reduce the substantial energy used in water heating and can act as giant thermal batteries. They do this by using energy to heat water during times of low grid...
During the summer of 2022, there were more than 7,000 record-breaking daily temperatures reported across the U.S., according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Dangerously high temperatures in the U.S. impacted more than 40 million people,...
Building efficiency and decarbonization is a movement that has the potential to dramatically curb climate change and make buildings healthy and productive spaces. K-12 schools, where staff and students spend at least 1,000 hours each year, are leading the way....
In our new podcast series, we dig deeper into the research papers authored by NBI staff. We begin with NBI staff that presented at the 2022 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency. Professionals from around the world came together at...
Over the past 15 years, many jurisdictions have reduced operational emissions in buildings through policies focused on energy efficiency, resulting in lower energy bills, better indoor air quality, and increased comfort. As the carbon emissions associated with operating buildings continues...
The 2024 draft Residential International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is now out for public comment. The provisions in the 2024 code will build on the energy efficiency advancements made in the 2021 code cycle and introduce key provisions to address...
In an effort to combat climate change, lawmakers in many parts of the U.S. are pushing for building electrification—or the phasing out of fossil-fuel powered appliances and heating and cooling systems in the built environment. It’s very encouraging to see...
Most people don’t give their water heaters a second thought until they fail or leak. But exciting technologies like ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are showing how an important decarbonization solution can lie hidden in plain sight....
NBI staff presented at the 2022 ACEEE Summer Study at Asilomar in Pacific Grove. Contributions included several panels, a poster, and informal discussion groups. See below for details and links to the final papers. We were also honored that Alexi...
With buildings currently representing 39% of U.S. carbon emissions, leading jurisdictions recognize the importance of using building codes and performance policies to respond to the effects of climate change and reduce future risks. To keep temperature rise below 1.5 degrees...
For more than 25 years, New Buildings Institute (NBI) has worked collaboratively with industry market actors to promote advanced design practices, innovative technologies, public policies, and programs that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions from the built environment. Our collective...
During the second Net Zero Buildings Week , June 13-17, over 250 partners (see list below) shared stories, building project examples, and resources about net zero energy and carbon neutral buildings on social media. This year’s theme “Net Zero Heroes” worked...
New Buildings Institute recently expanded the NBI Senior Fellows program and is excited to announce the addition of eight industry luminaries. With this program we recognize and honor their significant contribution to energy efficiency and carbon reduction in the building...
Over 100,000 construction industry workers will be needed to electrify all of California’s existing and new construction buildings, and up to 4,900 full-time manufacturing workers, according to a recent study from UCLA’s Luskin Center. By 2045, assuming the state has...
New Buildings Institute (NBI) enthusiastically welcomes two influential leaders to its Board of Directors this year. Dr. Tina Jayaweera is a Power Planning Resources Manager at Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Susan Rochford is Vice President of Energy Efficiency, Sustainability...
With building construction and operations making up nearly 40% of U.S. carbon emissions, many jurisdictions have made reducing emissions from the built environment a top strategy for meeting climate action goals. The new Model Government Zero Emissions Buildings Policy released...
New construction codes have been driving toward net zero performance in jurisdictions around the country but building performance standards (BPS) with similar aims are emerging for existing buildings. Building performance standards are state and local laws that require existing buildings...
