Buildings consume 40% of the energy used in the United States, with commercial buildings accounting for just under half (18%) of that total. 2/3 of the energy is used in the building systems (HVAC, lighting, water). Energy efficiency improvement projects in existing buildings generally show very favorable return on investment, often with shorter payback periods [...]
This past Thursday, October 20th, Anthony Brooks and Meghna Chakrabarti talked with Green Needham Chair Michael Greis and Massachusetts Energy Undersecretary Barbara Kates-Garnick about the green economy, the 2020 clean energy plan, energy efficiency & “green living” at the local level and the upcoming Needham Summit on Energy and the Environment. With the backdrop of [...]
In May, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac threw a monkey wrench into programs set up to encourage and enable homeowners to make energy savings investments in their homes. PACE (Property Assisted Clean Energy), described in this earlier post, funds energy improvements as a property betterment, allowing the payments to be made alongside property taxes and [...]
