ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY
New Energy Codes, New Challenges
Readers of this blog have already heard about the new Green Building codes, but there are new versions in the works, both of the energy code standard ASHRAE/IES 90.1, and of the International Conservation Code (IECC). What will these codes look like, and how will they affect the work of architectural lighting... »
Will Green Building Codes Leave You Seeing Red?
Now that ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 has been published, it’s time for the building design and construction communities to consider the implications of the new green building codes coming out. What is a green building code, and why do we need one? Imagine LEED written in code language – site sustainability, water use, energy, indoor environmental... »
How Much Energy Do You Use on Your Commute To Work?
Lighting systems have gotten vastly more efficient in the last decade. This is thanks to better bulbs, better luminaires and controls, and better lighting design – and let’s all keep working hard to make them even more efficient as technologies and design methods continue to improve. But, let’s also give ourselves a little credit... »
Solar Decathlon: Not So Sunny, But Full of Energy!
I was fortunate to be able to spend the weekend visiting the Solar Decathlon houses on the Mall in Washington, D.C. (see the Solar Decathlon website and Amber’s last blog article “Curious” About Sustainable Design?). Miserable weather meant that the houses weren’t generating much electricity, but the energy produced by the students attracted many people... »
“Curious” About Sustainable Design?
A local group of students from the Boston Architectural College and Tufts University are more than just curious. These students have combined creative efforts, engineering skills, and a shared passion to jump-start a wave of curiosity in others; Team Boston was formed to propose, design, and build an actual solar-powered model home. The Curio... »
Why Light It?
Light pollution and light trespass are hot exterior lighting topics, and they both relate directly to the broader topic of energy conservation. Simple logic tells us that shooting light into the night sky, either directly or inadvertently, is basically a waste of light and energy. The light that escapes above the horizon hits nothing... »
Daylighting Through Building Weight Loss: Thin Your Way to Sustainability
Ever been in a building so big that you can’t see a window or what’s going on outside? A lot of modern buildings are so big, fat, and wide that you can get lost in their bowels and, unfortunately, those depths can’t function without the help of electrical or mechanical systems. They’re on life support,... »
Fight the Power!
Compliance with energy codes has become a regular part of the design process for lighting designers in recent years. Prior to the release of the 2004 version of the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 standard for energy codes, it was easy to design lighting without worrying about bumping into code limits. This was because codes had not... »
Making the Sausage
You’ve heard the saying, “There are two things you will never wish to watch: the making of sausage and the making of legislation.” As the new chair of the Energy and Sustainability Committee of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), I’ve been getting a glimpse into the kitchen. Why, you might ask, would a... »
