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
AIA Announces the 2019 COTE Top 10 (with Great Timing on Earth Day)
The Americal Institue of Architects (AIA) has made its annual Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top 10 List of global projects exemplifying excellence in design and environmental performance, including considerations of social and economic criteria. Eight of the projects are located in the United States, with one in Canada and one in Kenya.
The Top 10:
Frick Environmental Center, Pittsburgh, PA (Ranked "Top 10 Plus," for post occupancy data and/or lessons)
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Amherst… Show more
Fred Davis of the Fred Davis Corporation Honored with a NESEA Distinguished Service Award
At the recent BuildingEnergy19 show, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association leaders honored Fred Davis with the 2019 Distinguished Service Award. Fred has been an energy and lighting leader since before these fields became cool again. Back in high school, Fred started the Ecology Club. After college, he worked as a retrofitter and enertgy auditor - in the late 1970's. Fred became an Operations Manager, helped create companies, served on boards, mentored others, and created and chaired conferences, all before (and mu… Show more
Rubio Monocoat Featured in 2 Episodes of "Heart of Oak"
Rubio Monocoat was recently featured in a popular builder-oriented TV show on the East coast called Heart of Oak. Heart of Oak is based on the South Shore of Massachusetts and follows PJ Antonik and his team from Oak Development & Design as they turn tear downs into beautiful, customized homes. PJ found Rubio Monocoat's one-coat application and matte finish particularly appealing. Read more! Show more
Topp Remodeling and Construction Wins Best of Houzz Award for Client Service
Cpngratulations to Rate It Green Member Topp Remodeling and Construction of South Murray, Utah, for winning a 2019 Best of Houzz Award for Client Service! The locally-owned company has been serving the Salt Lake County UT, Summit County UT and Utah County, (Metro) areas with customized homes & customized remodeling since 1995. Show more
IECC Voting Registration Deadline is Approaching - Municipalities Must Register by March 29 (This is Low Hanging Energy Efficiency Fruit!)
According to the New Buildings Institute, "Improving the efficiency stringency in the energy code is the single most impactful action we can take to improve the buildings where people live and work.” We can do this if we and our elected officials work together, and there is an immediate action our towns and cities need to take.
The March 29 deadline is rapidly approaching for local officials to register their municipalities to vote for the next International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) version, which goes int… Show more
E2’s Clean Energy Jobs America Report Released - 3.3 Million Clean Energy Jobs
"In every region and every state in America, clean energy is creating jobs and careers.
Nationwide, nearly 50,000 new clean energy jobs were created in 2018, bringing the total number of Americans who work in clean energy to 3.26 million." - E2
According to E2, Clean Energy related jobs grew 3.6% in 2018, adding over 110,000 jobs nationally. Meanwhile, 12 states have or are considering policies to generate 100% of electricity from clean energy sources. 10 states already generate more than 20% of their elect… Show more
We Don’t Have 50 Years to Wait" - Craig Foley's Article in the March-April Edition of REALTOR magazine
Rate It Green Member Craig Foley's article on the urgency of discussing climate change head on and with some bravery appears in the March-April issue of REALTOR magazine. Craig has long been active in Sustainable Real Estate, and he's looking to "begin a realistic conversation" about climate change within this industry and also specifically within the National Association of Realtors.
Unsurprisingly, Craig's research revealed that plenty of real estate agents and their clients have … Show more
NEAPOLI receives Low Carbon City Award 2018
NEAPOLI, a Rate It Green Member Company, recently won the Low Carbon City Award for their PKNS Headquarters project in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. The award goes out to a project that best implements low carbon city initiatives that are promoted within the Malaysian Government’s Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF) and illustrates how these initiatives have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In response to the award, NEAPOLI’s CEO, Dr Stellios Plainiotis, stated, “At NEAPOLI, our primary mission is to help clie… Show more
Cascades Founders Alain Bernard and Laurent Lemaire Join the Cercle des Grands Entrepreneurs du Quebec
The founders of Cascades, a Rate It Green Member Company, were recently nominated to the Cercle des Grands entrepreneurs du Quebec. Alain Bernard and Laurent Lemaire were among a small group of 6 accomplished entrepreneurs that joined the Cercle des Grands entrepreneurs du Quebec earlier this month. This was the second annual event to showcase the achievements and commitment of people whose actions “have contributed to Quebec’s entrepreneurial vitality and economic development,” as well as, “inspire throu… Show more
Mindful Materials Pavilion to be Showcased at Futurebuild, March 5-7, in London
Futurebuild and GIGA have announced a partnership to create and launch a new Futurebuild product directory and a dedicated new area at the March 5th-7th event in London – The mindful MATERIALS Certification Pavilion.
The pavilion will offer a unique, focused setting for Futurebuild attendees and exhibitors to unite around and explore the latest thinking and opportunities in sustainable product certification. In addition to exhibition space for Certification Programme Operators and manufacturers with key sustainability certificatio… 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