Category: Green Building

Technicians in a control room monitoring secure systems for power, water, and communications, symbolizing the protection of critical infrastructure.

Securing Our Lifelines: Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure and Utilities

dannie

Guard what matters most. The utilities we rely on every day – power, water, communications – form the backbone of modern society. Yet this critical infrastructure faces mounting threats, from extreme weather fueled by climate change to cyber attacks launched by hostile actors. Hardening and securing these vital systems has never been more important. Utility companies and the construction firms that build this infrastructure must remain vigilant and proactive. Leveraging advanced technologies like solar power generation and smart grid …

Collage of individuals working on various beginner DIY construction projects including a workbench, floating shelves, garden planter box, and backyard fire pit.

Beginner DIY: 7 Easy Construction Projects to Tackle This Weekend

dannie

Roll up your sleeves and tackle these beginner-friendly construction projects to sharpen your skills and transform your space: Build a sturdy workbench in a weekend using pre-cut lumber, a drill, and basic hand tools to create a versatile work surface for future projects. Construct custom shelving units to maximize storage and declutter your garage or workshop, utilizing simple measurements, a saw, and energy savings LED shop lights for improved visibility. Elevate your outdoor living with a DIY fire pit, digging a …

"A professional split-screen image showing an asset manager focusing on financial charts and strategic planning on one side, and a property manager dealing with tenant relations and property maintenance on the other side."

Asset Manager vs Property Manager: Key Differences Every Property Owner Must Know

dannie

While asset managers and property managers both play vital roles in real estate investing, they serve distinct purposes. Asset managers focus on the big picture, overseeing the financial performance and strategic direction of a real estate portfolio to maximize returns. In contrast, property managers handle the day-to-day operations of individual properties, from tenant relations to maintenance and repairs. Asset managers are essential for investors with larger or more complex portfolios who need high-level guidance on acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and asset optimization. Property managers are indispensable for hands-on oversight …

A diverse group of stakeholders collaboratively discussing project plans around a table, with a construction site visible in the background.

Unlock Project Success: 7 Powerful Benefits of Effective Stakeholder Engagement

dannie

Engage stakeholders early and consistently to ensure their needs and expectations are understood and managed throughout the project lifecycle. Conduct a thorough stakeholder analysis to identify key stakeholders, assess their influence and interest, and develop targeted engagement strategies. Collaborate with stakeholders to co-create project solutions that align with their goals and priorities, fostering a sense of shared ownership and commitment to success.
Benefit 1: Improved Project Alignment
Engaging stakeholders from the outset of a construction project is crucial for ensuring alignment between the project’s …

Exterior view of a modern, energy-efficient home equipped with solar panels on the roof and large, energy-saving windows, surrounded by a landscaped yard with native plants.

Unlock Energy Savings: 10 Pro Tips to Build an Ultra-Efficient Home

dannie

Design your home with passive solar principles to harness the sun’s energy for heating and cooling. Incorporate high-performance insulation and air sealing to minimize thermal bridging and air leakage. Install energy-efficient windows and doors with low-E coatings and insulated frames to reduce heat transfer. Utilize efficient HVAC systems like heat pumps, ERVs, and smart thermostats to optimize comfort and minimize energy waste.
Start with Smart Design

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A collage depicting key elements of the 2023 housing market, including ongoing construction, a sold house sign, and an upward trending mortgage rate graph, set against both suburban and urban backgrounds.

The Housing Market Rollercoaster: 5 Trends Shaping 2023

dannie

The housing market faces a pivotal juncture in 2023 as key trends converge to shape the landscape for buyers, sellers, builders and investors. Spiking mortgage rates stand out as the preeminent force guiding market dynamics this year. The average 30-year fixed rate vaulted from 3.2% at the start of 2022 to over 7% by October, radically altering affordability calculations for prospective buyers. This sharp reversal from pandemic-era record lows sent shockwaves through the market, as many buyers retrenched to the sidelines and transaction volumes plummeted. Dwindling housing inventory exacerbates the affordability crunch. Despite moderating …

Lendlease to Use Vegetable Oil in Its U.K. Construction Projects

dannie

Lendlease, an Australia-based contractor, commits to stop using liquid fossil fuels on its United Kingdom construction spots. It launched a new initiative known as the Alternative Fuels Policy.
It seeks to replace gas with liquid, petrol, and diesel with vegetable oil to power pieces of machinery. The new policy is effective immediately for its latest and existing projects until Jan. 1, 2022.
This scheme is indeed an essential milestone to the company’s goal of total zero-carbon. Presently, the contractor uses about 400,000 liters or 106,000 gallons of diesel every year in the U.K. Completely removing the fuel will cut …

Online Map Showcases Energy-efficient Careers in the Construction Sector

dannie

Employment opportunities that promote energy efficiency are among the fastest-growing in the nation. As time goes by, it becomes more important to combat climate change since space and power conditioning for infrastructures accounts for 40% of all energy usage in the entire United States of America.
Fortunately, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) created the Green Buildings Career Map to help showcase careers related to energy efficiency. It is a highly interactive tool …

Contractors Urged to Work With Owners in Reducing Building Emissions

dannie

The Associated General Contractors of America or AGC noted that while construction activities are only 1% to 2% of artificial greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, the buildings consume nearly 40% of the country’s energy. Thus, the buildings are associated with almost 31% of emissions, as reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
AGC thinks that looking for ways to make the construction business more efficient will significantly impact domestic greenhouse …