RMI Carbon-Free Buildings

The flexibility and simplicity of The White House and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s national definition of a zero emissions building makes these properties cost-effective to build right now, especially for new houses and apartments. Two of the three criteria, energy efficiency and zero onsite emissions, can be achieved at or below cost parity with today's built-to-code, dual-fuel homes thanks to the low cost of all-electric construction and incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. RMI building energy codes expert Erin Sherman shares what else you need to know about the federal government's zero emissions building definition in the article below. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gYAJ5P3N

🛠 Reused Materials & Homebuilders... a winning combo! Register for the panel discussion on June 10th: https://lnkd.in/drPYA8FF More about the Valley of the Sun Deconstruction/Reuse Work Group: https://lnkd.in/dQC6E2rt More about HomebuildersCAN: https://lnkd.in/d6kin3Ny RMI Carbon-Free Buildings Dave Bennink David Arkin Emily Freeman Katie Fitzhugh Chris Magwood Katherine Trontell #homebuilders #reuse #reusedmaterials #deconstruction #circularconstruction #embodiedcarbon #repurposedmaterials #reclaimedmaterials #salvagedmaterials #circulareconomy

🚨 Big news from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)! The National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building is here. This critical guidance will provide the real estate market clarity and confidence to scale zero-emissions new construction and retrofits that will reduce pollution, lower energy bills for homes and businesses, and create good jobs. "Today's new zero-emissions building definition from DOE and the resounding support from building industry leaders is another indicator of the national movement toward clean, fossil-free buildings,” said RMI federal policy expert David Smedick. “Energy efficiency, electrification, and clean energy are the base-level ingredients for a zero-emissions building and this definition is primed to be a uniting force that drives the industry forward. It's time for financing institutions, developers, third-party certifications, architects, engineers, and policy-makers to leverage this definition and make zero emissions buildings the new normal." Read DOE's full announcement and download the "National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building": https://lnkd.in/g-iM2FFX

🔊 Yesterday, Maryland Governor Moore called for a zero-emissions heating standard for all buildings in the state as part of an Executive Order that showed what state climate leadership looks like. 🌎 🏘 As Maryland prepares to answer the call to reduce building pollution, create new jobs, and increase household cost savings, there’s one technology that promises to help do all three: heat pumps. New RMI analysis shows that Maryland's moderate climate and relatively expensive fossil fuel prices mean that heat pumps for space and water heating can save all residents money on their annual energy bills TODAY. 🔹 Residents upgrading to a heat pump for space heating and cooling could save $740 per year on average, ranging from $360 for gas customers to $1,690 for electric resistance customers. 🔹 Similarly, residents upgrading to a heat pump for water heating could save $380 annually, ranging from $190 for gas customers to $510 for electric resistance customers. “We applaud Governor Moore’s affirmative step to promote clean electric heat pumps that should lower bills and improve health outcomes and quality of life for Marylanders,” said RMI's Leah Louis-Prescott. “To ensure monthly energy savings go to the residents who need it most, the Moore administration must pursue a suite of equity-focused policies to help low-income residents adopt this highly efficient technology.” Check out our article here: https://lnkd.in/g8YjF2pq Authors/Contributors: Leah Louis-Prescott, Amar Shah, Ashita Gona, Ryan Shea, Rachel Golden

Join us on June 11 in NYC at Building Energy Exchange (or virtually) for a celebration of the new Empire Building Challenge cohort and a discussion on how decarbonization planning is exemplified in the new Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings. Learn about cutting-edge solutions to decarbonization challenges across the multifamily building market from Empire Building Challenge winners themselves. Networking and refreshments will follow the interactive learning sessions. Speakers include Michael Reed, NYSERDA, Brett Bridgeland, RMI, Richard Yancey, FAIA, LEED AP, BE-Ex, Samantha Pearce, NYS HCR, Joe Chavez, NYC MOCEJ, and Jennifer Bloom Leone AIA LEED, NYC HPD Free RSVP (June 11, 9 am - 12 pm, online or at the Exchange): https://lnkd.in/ggUBvmkn Explore the Retrofit Playbook for Large Buildings: https://lnkd.in/gh3h2UUS

Missed our webinar with Housing Partnership Network and RMI Carbon-Free Buildings on the Affordable Housing Decarbonization Hub? We've got you covered. Watch the recording at your convenience to learn more about the hub and what it offers – from a comprehensive knowledge library, to news about upcoming events and opportunities, and an Ask the Expert feature at the ready for your decarbonization questions! https://lnkd.in/gHt2dKus

🔊 Happening next week! RMI's HomebuildersCAN is hosting its next webinar on Wednesday, June 5th, featuring members of the Advanced Building Construction Collaborative (ABCC). Speakers will present on new building products and systems that can help the industry construct quality homes in a quick, cost-effective, and climate-smart way. They include: 🔹 Alex Kelly, CABN 🔹 Jonah Stanford, B.Public Prefab 🔹 Mattie Mead, Hempitecture 🔹 Maura Mooney, RMI Although this webinar is for HomebuildersCAN members only, it's completely free to become a member and access this presentation, along with other educational videos on #EmbodiedCarbon and innovative construction practices. Sign up today at https://lnkd.in/gGni82sd #HomebuildersCAN #GreenBuilding #HomeConstruction #BuildingManufacturers #Residential

Creating more efficient homes means reducing their climate pollution even before they’re built.    RMI's new initiative, HomebuildersCAN, helps builders tackle the challenge of embodied carbon head-on.    More from PROBUILDER: https://lnkd.in/engF9T7D

As summer temperatures rise, finding an energy-efficient way to keep your home cool becomes a priority. In addition to space heating, heat pumps have emerged as an energy-efficient choice for cooling too, especially during heat waves. RMI analysis has shown that heat pumps in Seattle can help: 🌡️ Maintain a comfortable and consistent temperature throughout your home ⚡️ Reduce your energy consumption and potentially save you money on utility bills 🌱 Be an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional HVAC systems More from Kiplinger: https://bit.ly/4aC8Rzn

❌ Myth: A “zero-net-energy home” can be powered by natural gas or other fossil fuels. 👍 Fact: Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas that exacerbates climate change and pollutes indoor and outdoor air. What is a "zero-net-energy home”? A home that: ✅ is energy efficient ✅ is all electric ✅ is powered by renewables ✅ produces as much energy as it uses ✅ is constructed with sustainable materials ✅ doesn’t burn fossil fuels for heating, hot water, or cooking "When it comes to climate, gas is part of the problem. There’s this effort to hype natural gas as clean energy, but it’s not,” RMI's Mike Henchen told The Guardian. We need real climate solutions that prioritize affordability, sustainability, and health for households. Discover what decarbonizing affordable housing should look like: https://bit.ly/3WNhfJ1