The public awareness of the HERS Index Score has been heightened by a story in the Christian Science Monitor. The story, “Energy Efficiency Means Lower Utility Bills, Less Mortgage Risk” focuses on the University of North Carolina study that the risk of mortgage default is one-third lower for energy efficient homes. The story states that,
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Releases Report on Options Dealing with Energy Tax Incentives Recommends Performance Based Tax Incentive for Improving Efficiency of Existing Homes
A key issue Congress will be facing this session is tax reform. The Senate Finance Committee has released a report on options for reform or the federal tax incentives for energy “Infrastructure, Energy and Natural Resource: Senate Finance Committee Staff Tax Reform Options for Discussion”. The Energy and Natural Resources section of the report identifies
Attention to Detail: Architectural & Transition Details
As discussed previously, the function of the wall system (part of the building envelope) is to provide protection from the elements such as wind, heat, cold, and rain (moisture). The design of a wall system should stop the penetration of these elements into the interior space of the building and prevent the weathering and deterioration
Brick Masonry and Moisture
The function of the wall system (part of the building envelope) is to provide protection from the elements such as wind, heat, cold, and rain (moisture). The design of the brick masonry wall system should stop the intrusion of these elements into the interior space of the building and prevent the weathering and deterioration of
The Integrity of Green Buildings
Despite the current state of the global economy, green building continues to grow. According to McGraw-Hill Construction, the green building market is expected to more than double from 2010 to 2015, with nonresidential green building expected to triple. Although the intentions behind them are undoubtedly noble, there are flaws that need to be addressed in
Protecting Your Home from Water Intrusion
Water intrusion issues can plague home owners for years without ever being properly resolved. Water is a destructive force and can cause various issues for a building. Some problems – such as rotted wood, peeling paint, rusted metals, water stains, etc. – are easily identifiable. However, moisture can penetrate the building in a multitude of
Protecting Your Most Valuable Assets
Water is one of the building blocks of life. However, in terms of your home or building, it is extremely destructive. The sources of water intrusion may be hard to track, but without proper diagnosis and remediation by trained professionals, water damage will pose a serious threat to your most valuable assets: your building, your
