New Buildings Institute Blog

Embodied Carbon Draws Increased Attention from the Building Sector

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Webly Bowles

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...

Make your voice heard: Comment on the Residential 2024 IECC update

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Mark Lyles

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...

New Study Explores Potential of 120-volt Heat Pump Water Heaters

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Amruta Khanolkar

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...

First-ever Heat Pump Water Heater Day spotlights climate-friendly products

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Joseph Wachunas

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 contribute papers, posters and discussion at ACEEE Summer Study

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Stacey Hobart

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...

Advance climate action by getting involved now in the commercial 2024 IECC update

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Diana Burk

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...

The Future We Seek: Equitable and Resilient Buildings and Communities

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Ralph DiNola

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...

Net Zero Buildings Week Spotlights Heroes, Resources

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Erin Murphy

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...

NBI honors energy efficiency and green building leaders as Senior Fellows

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Susan Harris

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...

Building our future workforce today

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Bryce Seymour

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...