Energy & Environmental Websites
Here is a collection of websites that can provide you with valuable information on moving toward a more energy efficient and environmental building. Some of these websites have forms and or tools to help you understand where you are now and how you can achieve your goals.
We try to keep these links up to date. If you find a broken link, please let us know.
New Buildings Institute
- Works with national, regional, state and utility groups to promote improved energy performance in commercial new construction, managing projects involving building research, design guidelines and code activities.
- Website includes research on various heating and cooling issues related to energy use and efficiency.
www.newbuildings.org
Green Globes
- Assessment and rating system used in U.S. and Canada.
- Uses online tools for assessment and guidance to incorporate green elements in projects.
- Applies to new and existing buildings, design and operation.
- Evolved from Canada’s Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
- Operated in U.S. by the Green Building Initiative (www.thegbi.org).
- In Canada, the version for existing buildings is operated by BOMA Canada as Go Green (www.bomabest.com).
www.greenglobes.com
Green Building Initiative
- Mission: Accelerate adoption of building practices for energy-efficient, healthier, environmentally-sustainable buildings.
- Residential and commercial applications.
- Operates Green Globes assessment and rating system in U.S.
- Partner with National Association of Home Builders to develop Model Green Home Building Guidelines.
www.thegbi.com
NAHB National Green Building Program
- Objective: Move green building practices into the mainstream.
- Resources and tools for home builders, contractors, homeowners.
- Developed ANSI-approved National Green Building Standard for single and multifamily homes, residential remodeling and site development projects.
- Developed voluntary Model Green Home Building Guidelines
- Offers national certification for builders and other industry professionals.
www.nahbgreen.org
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
- International business organization devoted to promoting business leadership in sustainable development.
- Numerous reports and publications on energy and climate, business solutions for sustainable development, the business role in sustainable development and specific projects.
- News and case studies
- Free e-newsletters (registration required) on business and sustainable development, water and sustainable development, energy and climate, etc.
www.wbcsd.org
U.S. Department of Energy, Smart Communities Network
- Rich collection of information and resources on a wide variety of sustainability issues, including green building and green building rating systems
- Material on commercial and residential building
- Collection of green building articles and links to public and private green building programs
www.directives.doe.gov
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Energy information portal to hundreds of websites and thousands of online documents
- Gateway to large variety of DOE offices and programs
www.eere.energy.gov
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financial Assistance
- Details how to apply for grants and other funding
- Many application documents available for download
- Comprehensive information on financial assistance programs available to business and other other organizations for energy projects from the DOE/EERE
www.eere.energy.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Buildings
- Extensive information on green building and various types of structure
- Resources on indoor air quality, the indoor environment, HVAC maintenance and housekeeping
www.epa.gov
USGBC Green Home Guide
- Comprehensive information on the USGBC LEED for Homes rating system, plus more than 70 other regional and local green home building programs.
- Explains the elements of what makes a home green
- Profiles of green home projects throughout the U.S.
- Listing of LEED for Home training and workshop opportunities, live and online.
www.greenhomeguide.org
U.S. Green Building Council
- A lead organization in the green building movement.
- Developer of the LEED green building rating system
- National, non-profit, consensus-driven
- Comprised of more than 1,500 organizations, including building product manufacturers, architectural and engineering firms, non-profits, schools, universities and government agencies.
- The starting point for understanding LEED certification and for registering LEED-eligible projects.
www.usgbc.org
Greener Buildings
- A partnership between the USGBC and GreenBiz.com
- A resource center for environmentally responsible building development
- Excellent background reports on topics including architecture and design, energy and water use, and facility management
- Green building tools and resources.
www.greenerbuildings.com
Green Biz
- Program of the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation
- Resource center on business, the environment and the bottom line.
- Business Toolbox with hundreds of reports, backgrounders, how to articles and tools
- Listing of government programs aimed at helping companies with environmental and economic performance
- Reviews of hundreds of business/environment web sites
www.greenbiz.com
Whole Buildings Design Guide
- Created by the National Institute of Building Science
- Information and resources for whole building design and project management
- Tools for design and analysis, energy analysis, life-cycle costing, etc.
www.wbdg.org
Sustainable Buildings Industry Council
- Nonprofit organization with mission to advance the design, affordability, energy performance, and environmental soundness of America’s buildings.
- Offers software, videos and training on sustainability issues
www.nibs.org
Advanced buildings Technologies and Practices
- Information on technologies and practices that improve the energy and resource efficiency of commercial and multi-unit residential buildings
- Variety of downloadable reports, case studies, other resources
- Includes links to Canadian and U.S. resources
www.advancedbuildings.org
International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment
- International non-profit to promote green building policies, methods and tools
- Link to Green Building Policies Network
- Links to Sustainable Building Information System, database of downloadable documents (paid membership required)
www.iisbe.org
Building Green
- Paid site from publishers of the Environmental Building News newsletter
- Articles, cases studies, references and GreenSpec green product information service
www.buildinggreen.com
Energy Star
- Offers information on ways to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses.
- Guide to Energy Star rated products including HVAC equipment such as air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps and boilers.
- Guides to saving energy by sealing the home and energy-efficient heating/cooling available for download (PDF format)
- Includes resources for manufacturers, HVAC contractors and homebuilders.
www.energystar.gov
Green Home Guide
- Consumer-oriented site devoted to helping consumers green their homes
- Regional editions for San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York areas
- Articles and resources on home energy efficiency, saving water, etc.
- Green directory of products and organizations
www.greenhomeguide.com
Build It Green
- Non-profit devoted to promoting healthy, energy- and resource efficient homes in California; most information applicable to homes in all states.
- Extensive tools and resources
- Numerous documents for download on plumbing, heating, HVAC systems, solar water heating, domestic hot water recirculation, etc.
- Green products directory
www.builditgreen.org
Sustainable Architecture, Building and Culture
- Resources for professionals and consumers
- Extensive list of Internet resources including: air and water quality; environmental education; renewable energy; sustainable development, etc.
- Free newsletter
www.sustainableabc.com
Indoor Air Quality - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Detailed information about indoor air quality (IAQ) in homes and large buildings for consumers and professionals
- Animated, room-by-room tour of home IAQ and common household sources of pollutants.
- How to improve IAQ in the home.
- Detailed sections on asthma, mold and moisture, radon, etc.
www.epa.gov
Solar Living Institute
- Promotes sustainable living through environmental education.
- Offers online solar training and workshops.
- Broad variety of links to: green careers and job boards; renewable energy resources and organizations; natural building and design; sustainable living organizations and resources; education programs, publications, etc.
www.solarliving.org