Public Comment Period Opens for National Green Building Standard Updates
The 45-day public comment period for draft 2 of the 2024 NGBS begins on April 12, 2024
Public Comment Period Opens for 2024 National Green Building Standard Update
The 45-day public comment period opened Aug. 18, and comments must be submitted by Oct. 2, 2023
The Inefficiencies of the Latest Energy Code
The 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) hampers the return on investment for builders and homebuyers
New RESNET Label Provides Home Energy-Efficiency Ratings and Certifications Info
A one-page, consumer-friendly label is now available for all homes in the RESNET Registry
Meet the Zero Energy Ready Home Program Version 2
The latest version of the ZERH program aims to push home energy efficiency and performance to the next level
Utah’s Housing Recovery Hinges on Federal Permitting Reform
Despite a fast pace of new-construction projects statewide, demand for housing in Utah continues to outpace supply. Local builders say reforming an outdated federal permitting process could help
Industry groups urge Congress, Obama to reject caps on construction workers in immigration legislation
The unemployment rate in the construction sector in May was the lowest it has been in five years, which could signal a coming worker shortage, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
U.S. Conference of Mayors passes new sustainability resolutions
The 10 measures passed include the support of resilient communities, stronger building energy codes, Tiger grants, and improving infrastructure.
NSF Sustainability begins verifying EPDs that can be used for LEED V4
NSF Sustainability has verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for nylon carpet styles and colors manufactured by Mannington Commercial and for J+J Flooring Group’s Kinetex flooring product and Invision brand modular styles that use eKo backing.
Florida is latest battleground over LEED standards centered on certified wood
A nationwide battle over forest certification standards continues to be played out nationally and in Florida with legislation passed this month.
One of California’s first LEED Platinum homes compared to public art
The poised white rectangle has the appeal of classic Modernism, but it is also a critical part of the sustainability story: The frame’s deep overhang helps shield the house’s main southern exposure from the region’s scorching sun.
Circular design credited with helping homes withstand major storms
Circular design and trusses that radiate from the center and distribute forces evenly are among the features that have allowed houses by Deltec Homes to stand up to powerful storms, the home builder says.
Cool roofs can save 15 percent on cooling costs in California’s climate
Cool-roof material choices have expanded from reflective paint to vinyl sheeting, light-colored gravel, and other roofing products designed to reflect 90 percent of sunlight.
Judge strikes down Helena's city fire code
A district judge has ruled invalid the fire ordinance of Helena, Mont., adopted in 2008 to restrict exposed wood building materials and require fire-resistance roofing materials on new or extensively repaired structures.
Cost is chief impediment to requirements for safe rooms in tornado-prone areas
The increased cost to build underground safe rooms is the major reason that codes in tornado-prone areas of the Midwest do not require them.
Debate in the Northwest over how to apply lessons of net-zero construction in codes
Success in constructing net-zero homes in the Northwest has sparked debate over how green codes should be incorporated.
