Cool roofing is the fastest growing sector of the building industry, as building owners and facility managers realize the immediate and long-term benefits of roofs that stay cool in the sun. Studies exploring the energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of cool roofs show that in warm or hot climates, substituting a cool roof for a conventional roof can have enormous benefits. Photo Credit: Robin Kutesa
A primer on how to reduce the urban heat island effect by implementing effective mitigation strategies.
Summer temperatures in urban areas are now higher than in their rural surroundings, due to a phenomenon known as the “heat island effect.” Research shows that increases in electricity demand, smog levels, and human discomfort are linked to this phenomenon. Planting trees to provide shade and protection from winter winds, and lightening the color of building and pavement surfaces have the potential to significantly reduce energy use for cooling, and lower electrical bills.
A Guidebook On Tree Planting And Light-Colored Surfacing Read More »
Fifteen members of the Building Science Guild (BSG) attend the monthly meeting at the Windham Regional Career Center’s Construction/Architecture’s shop featuring Peter Yost’s “Wingnut Testing” experiment on roof venting. The purpose was to explore the appropriateness of a 1-inch code roof vent given variables of pitch, heat, and wind.
Wingnut Testing at the Building Science Guild Meeting Read More »
EPA’s Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies
Urban areas are usually warmer than their rural surroundings, a phenomenon known as the “heat island effect.” As cities develop, more vegetation is lost and more surfaces are paved or covered with buildings. The change in ground cover results in less shade and moisture to keep urban areas cool. Built-up areas also evaporate less water, which contributes to elevated surface and air temperatures. Properties of urban materials, in particular solar reflectance, thermal emissivity, and heat capacity, also influence the development of urban heat islands, as they determine how the sun’s energy is reflected, emitted, and absorbed.
Heat Island Compendium Read More »
Joshua Henry, President of GO Lab, and Guy Payne of SEON, gave a presentation to SEON’s Building Science Guild (BSG) about the planned roll-out of their wood fiber insulation products – loose, batt, and board – which are renewable, biodegradable, non toxic wood fiber insulation for the residential and light commercial construction market. With the close of so many paper mills in Maine, the wood industry has been in search of products and processes that utilizes one of Maine’s primary assets and invigorates new life in the mills.
GO Labs Wood Insulation Read More »
The Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON) has been awarded a $12,000 grant from the High Meadows Fund. A goal of SEON is to brand the region of SE Vermont as a knowledge center of high performance construction and attract or retain young working age adults who are excited about learning this trade and contribute to solving our climate emergency.
SEON awarded grant from High Meadows Fund Read More »
SEON building science course “Water, Air, and Thermal Continuous Control Layers.” Three different wall systems were constructed highlighting those that are economical and efficient as well as those that carry the least amount of embodied energy. Following satisfactory completion of a few more requirements these members will be the first carpenters to be awarded SEON’s Certification as a High Performance Builder.
Our first “Water, Air and Thermal Continuous Control Layers” course Read More »
Guy Payne and Peter Yost gave testimony on Workforce Training and Certification highlighting SEON’s Certified Level I High Performance Builder program and SEON’s support for Vermont’s Senate bill S.163 requiring mandatory builder registration and voluntary certification.
Thermal Efficiency Working Group Report Read More »
AeroBarrier is a stable, non-toxic, aerosol-applied acrylic sealant. It is a patented air sealing system that uses a computerized process to pressurize the building and install the AeroBarrier to seal leaks in the building enclosure from the inside. The particles deposit only at the leak sites and build to form a complete and tight seal, remaining firmly in place for years while staying completely pliable and flexible. Certainly by reducing air leaks through the building envelope, it is possible to reduce energy loss, help mitigate moisture damage, and enhance overall comfort and health of the building.
AeroBarrier Air Sealing System Read More »
A Building Science Guild Meeting – the construction drawings for the Groundworks Collaborative building for input from the Guild. There has already been a successful project management review and now Sam is strategically presenting the prints for feedback prior to decisions being “baked-in”.
Building Science Guild Meeting Read More »
