News
Green Building & Eco Friendly News
We are excited to share green building industry developments, news about our Member Companies, and of course current Rate It Green information. Please feel welcome to submit interesting news you have found. Note that Rate It Green does include news announcements as a part of some sponsorship offerings.
You can also learn more by following Rate It Green on social media. We greatly appreciate your likes, follows, and general votes of support.
All Electric Summer: Opportunities to "amp up" your electrification expertise
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
It’s a great time to learn about electrification! Whether you are just learning about today’s energy efficient electric equipment and appliances, or you’re already somewhat expert, there’s really something for everyone to learn or contribute this summer, as several leading green building organizations are hosting some terrific educational offerings. And most are free! Check out Rate It Green's open green building calendar for these and more green bu… Show more
All About Heat Pumps
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
If you feel that recent news has been all about heat pumps, I agree! It seems there's a growing push to educate consumers and increase demand, as part of support for wider electrification and decarbonization efforts. Why are heat pumps so exciting? As you may already know, heat pumps are 300-400% efficient, as they move energy instead of generating it, and without onsite fossil fuel combustion. The numbers seem almost unreal. Heat pumps a… Show more
What Happens In Vegas... (Will We See You There?) Let's Create Some Great Green Building Content!
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
I know, the leading image for this email shows some serious wattage and doesn't really make me think first about green building. And yet, suddenly it seems like everyone I know is heading to Vegas next week for the International Builders' Show. That includes Green Builder and Rate It Green Content Partner Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc.! I encourage you to connect with Matt to say hello, or to share your expertise or to introduce your company and what y… Show more
Looking Forward - Engaging Together as a Green Building Community
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Thank you for being a part of our green building community, and welcome to our first newsletter of 2024! With this email, we bring you so much positive energy and a reaffirmation of the spirit of what we do. As Green Builder and Rate It Green Content Partner Matt Hoots said the other day, "The only way we are going to keep progressing toward solutions is to continue the conversation and share.” I wholeheartedly agree!
I am excited to report that I am&n… Show more
Happy New Year, 2024!! Looking back at Top 2023 News, and Some Sneak Previews for 2024!
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Happy New Year! Thanks for all you do, and here's to an AMAZING 2024!
We expect great things from this new year! Whether you celebrate recent COP28 Results or feel anxious about insufficient progress, perhaps we can agree that 2023 was a year of foundation building and stage setting. We can then think of 2024 then as a year of great framing, where the structure and promising opportunities really come together more rapidly, where we can see tangible gains… Show more
Reframing Perspective: What Can "Positive" (Nature Positive) Look Like?
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
There are so many pressing crises, it can be overwhelming to decide what to do first or next. At a time when we need to take immediate and drastic action to mitigate the worst climate change consequences, some of which have already arrived, how is it possible that there are ongoing and disastrous wars and famine, extreme weather crises, raging fires, disease, and areas that are literally becoming uninhabitable for human life, among other global challenges which are hard to fully i… Show more
Making Smart Window Choices for Meeting Comfort, Health, Energy & Sustainability Goals
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Do you have window questions? We've got some information and answers! Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. has been busy answering Rate It Green Member questions and also interviewing manufacturers to learn about their energy efficient window and doors as well as the latest technological advances.
Matt recently recorded a series of conversations to answer key window questions, including:
How do you decide when and whether to replace windows? &n… Show more
Understanding The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - Introduction and Update
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Hello to everyone gathering at Greenbuild this week! I had hoped to attend in person but had some schedule complications. As much as I think we absolutely need to connect and share information online when we can’t be together, I of course believe it’s meaningful and impactful to gather and build community in person. I’ll be attending as I can online, and I’ll hope to ”see you” there!
I have spent a good deal of time in the past weeks &ldq… Show more
Strategies for Staying Cool: Air Sealing and Insulation
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
It’s quite an understatement to say it’s been hot this summer. Playfully, and yet deadly seriously, Vox declared that this scorching summer might just "be one the coolest summers of the rest of your life." Scientists at the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service estimate current summer temperatures as not only the hottest since modern record keeping began, but possibly in the last 120,000 years. And summer&rsqu… Show more
The Perfect Wall - Explained
It feels a bit funny to describe a product or practice as "Perfect," but that's our task as we explore "The Perfect Wall." In a recent video, Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. explains this important concept and also shows how he and his team are applying theory to practice at the #1920sMakeoverATL deep energy retrofit project in Ansley Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
As Matt explains, along with fellow Rate It Green Membe… Show more
It's National Drive Electric Week - Sept 9 - 17 - Attend an Event Near You
It's National Electric Drive Week!
September 9-17 is National Drive Electric Week - This is a nation-wide series of events to raise awareness about all-eletric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles.
Attend an event near you, and find out what it's like to own and drive an "EV" from owners. Each event is hoted locally by drivers and EV advocates and can host a range of activities. Many organizations are involved in hosting and sponsoting events, such as Plug In America Sierra Club, and the Electric Aut… Show more
Washington, DC Named First LEED Platinum City
Washington, DC has been recongized as the first LEED Platinum City in the world. United States green Building Council (USGBC) President and CEO Mahesh Ramanujam announced the honor at a ceremony today at tDubar High School, the highest LEED rated school in the United States. The certification recongizes the District's leadership in reducing emissions, innovating in clean enery, and other factors including setting and tracking measurable goals and progress.
According to Mr. Ramanujam, "Washington, DC is setting the bar f… Show more
Auburndale Builders - High-Performance Building Education Center Planned for Newton, MA
Auburndale Builders is extensively retrofitting a new headquarters building in Newton, MA. The space is planned to be the first Passive House Office in the state. As if this wasn't impressive enough, the company will be creating a High-Performance Building Education Center. for architects, builders, and homeowners. Classes are set to begin as early as October, 2017, and topics will include:
-Passive House for Architects and Engineers
-Passive House for Homeowners
-Design Build and Integrated Project Management
-Int… Show more
Jarami Bond Named to the 2017 GreenBiz 30 Under 30 - Congrats!
Rate It Green Community Member Jarami Bond was recently named to the 2017 GreenBiz 30 Under 30 List. GreenBiz works with the World Business Council for Sustaonable Development to search globally for those who are shaping the future of sustanable business.
As the Sustainability Manager for Interface, Inc, Jarami works to implement Ray Anderson's vision of business as a force for good, for both community and the environmnet. According to Jarami, "The key turning point is creating a culture of connectivity and engag… Show more
IKEA has Apparently Entered the Retail Solar Market
Forbes reports that IKEA will start selling solar panels and battery sotrage to retail customers, starting in the UK. The combined solar-battery storage syste will help consumers raise solar consumption from 40% to up to 80% of power generated. Electric bills might be cut up to 70%. The move by IKEA and partner Solarcentury may provide competition to Tesla's solar roof tiles, and similar solar and battery systems.
To learn more: http://fortune.com/2017/08/02/ikea-solar-battery/ Show more
Will California Go 100% Renewable by 2045?
The California Assemly Utilities and Energy Committee has approved Senate Bill 100, a step towards a statewide goal of delivering 100% renweable energy. Introduced by Senate President De Léon, the bill would set a 60% renewable energy goal for 2030 and 100% by 3045. If the bill passes, California will join Hawaii as the second state to require100% renewable energy by 2045
For more information:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2017/08/01/california-goes-all-in-100-percent-renewable-energy… Show more
Tesla Puts a Price on The Solar Roof - and It's Competitive
Tesla is now taking orders on the company's Solar Roof, at $21.85 a square foot. Consumer Reports had predicted the tiles would need to come in at $24.50 to be competitive, and the company has clearly delivered.
The tiles will come in four styles - Tuscan, Slate, Textured, and Smooth. One smooth color and one textured glass type are already available.
Aside from obvious energy savings benefits, the tiles are apparently stronger than traditional roofing tiles AND come with a hard ot believe warranty - "… Show more
Hawaii Makes Plans to Work 100% on Renewables
Hawaii has set a goal to be powered 100% on renewable energy by 2040. Regulators have been pushing for this for some time, but Hawaiian Electric’s Power Supply Improvement Plan (PSIP) has recently been approved by the Public Utilities Commission.
Since Hawaii is so remote, it makes sense that it would want to push towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, not only for environmental reasons, but also in order to be more self-sufficient and avoid the high costs of importing fossil fuels.
On top of that, H… Show more
New Homes in South Miami Now Require Solar Panels
New homes being built in South Miami will now have to install solar panels due to new law approved on July 18. This law will also apply to existing houses that chose to renovate and will be going into effect on September 18. The new law requires new residential construction to have 175 square feet of solar panel to be installed per 1,000 square feet of sunlit roof area, or 2.75 kw per 1,000 square feet of living space, whichever the lesser. However, houses built under existing trees may be exempt. South Miami Mayor, Philip Stoddard, a biology p… Show more
Executive Director & Founder of Member Project Green Schools, Robin Organ, named a HUBweek change maker
Executive Director and Founder of Member Project Green Schools, Robin Organ was recently named a HUBweek change maker. Robin is responsible for creating and applying Project Green School’s programs across first United States, and now internationally. Robin has spoken with the former President and Vice President, US EPA, US Agriculture and many more on Climate Solutions, Environmental Education, and other important matters. Robin recently launched the Green Up New England Challenge with the Boston Bruins and Walmart. She hopes to create op… Show more
All Electric Summer: Opportunities to "amp up" your electrification expertise
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
It’s a great time to learn about electrification! Whether you are just learning about today’s energy efficient electric equipment and appliances, or you’re already somewhat expert, there’s really something for everyone to learn or contribute this summer, as several leading green building organizations are hosting some terrific educational offerings. And most are free! Check out Rate It Green's open green building calendar for these and more green bu… Show more
All About Heat Pumps
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
If you feel that recent news has been all about heat pumps, I agree! It seems there's a growing push to educate consumers and increase demand, as part of support for wider electrification and decarbonization efforts. Why are heat pumps so exciting? As you may already know, heat pumps are 300-400% efficient, as they move energy instead of generating it, and without onsite fossil fuel combustion. The numbers seem almost unreal. Heat pumps a… Show more
What Happens In Vegas... (Will We See You There?) Let's Create Some Great Green Building Content!
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
I know, the leading image for this email shows some serious wattage and doesn't really make me think first about green building. And yet, suddenly it seems like everyone I know is heading to Vegas next week for the International Builders' Show. That includes Green Builder and Rate It Green Content Partner Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc.! I encourage you to connect with Matt to say hello, or to share your expertise or to introduce your company and what y… Show more
Looking Forward - Engaging Together as a Green Building Community
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Thank you for being a part of our green building community, and welcome to our first newsletter of 2024! With this email, we bring you so much positive energy and a reaffirmation of the spirit of what we do. As Green Builder and Rate It Green Content Partner Matt Hoots said the other day, "The only way we are going to keep progressing toward solutions is to continue the conversation and share.” I wholeheartedly agree!
I am excited to report that I am&n… Show more
Happy New Year, 2024!! Looking back at Top 2023 News, and Some Sneak Previews for 2024!
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Happy New Year! Thanks for all you do, and here's to an AMAZING 2024!
We expect great things from this new year! Whether you celebrate recent COP28 Results or feel anxious about insufficient progress, perhaps we can agree that 2023 was a year of foundation building and stage setting. We can then think of 2024 then as a year of great framing, where the structure and promising opportunities really come together more rapidly, where we can see tangible gains… Show more
Reframing Perspective: What Can "Positive" (Nature Positive) Look Like?
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
There are so many pressing crises, it can be overwhelming to decide what to do first or next. At a time when we need to take immediate and drastic action to mitigate the worst climate change consequences, some of which have already arrived, how is it possible that there are ongoing and disastrous wars and famine, extreme weather crises, raging fires, disease, and areas that are literally becoming uninhabitable for human life, among other global challenges which are hard to fully i… Show more
Making Smart Window Choices for Meeting Comfort, Health, Energy & Sustainability Goals
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Do you have window questions? We've got some information and answers! Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. has been busy answering Rate It Green Member questions and also interviewing manufacturers to learn about their energy efficient window and doors as well as the latest technological advances.
Matt recently recorded a series of conversations to answer key window questions, including:
How do you decide when and whether to replace windows? &n… Show more
Understanding The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - Introduction and Update
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
Hello to everyone gathering at Greenbuild this week! I had hoped to attend in person but had some schedule complications. As much as I think we absolutely need to connect and share information online when we can’t be together, I of course believe it’s meaningful and impactful to gather and build community in person. I’ll be attending as I can online, and I’ll hope to ”see you” there!
I have spent a good deal of time in the past weeks &ldq… Show more
Strategies for Staying Cool: Air Sealing and Insulation
Rate It Green Members and Friends -
It’s quite an understatement to say it’s been hot this summer. Playfully, and yet deadly seriously, Vox declared that this scorching summer might just "be one the coolest summers of the rest of your life." Scientists at the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service estimate current summer temperatures as not only the hottest since modern record keeping began, but possibly in the last 120,000 years. And summer&rsqu… Show more
The Perfect Wall - Explained
It feels a bit funny to describe a product or practice as "Perfect," but that's our task as we explore "The Perfect Wall." In a recent video, Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. explains this important concept and also shows how he and his team are applying theory to practice at the #1920sMakeoverATL deep energy retrofit project in Ansley Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
As Matt explains, along with fellow Rate It Green Membe… Show more