Sustainability: Energy Efficiency

"Energy efficiency continues to be an important issue for the future. Since the energy crisis of 1973, there's been a growing understanding of how to make our houses more energy-efficient. Houses built before that time tended to be leaky, letting outside air in and conditioned air out. Since that time, there's been a lot of insulation added to the house's skin, better windows have been made, and air flowing in and out of the house has been controlled with a tighter air barrier. With this kind of energy-efficient house, there's a new and critical component to ensuring indoor air quality. This is an air-to-air heat exchanger that takes fresh air in, passes used air out and transfers the heat from the outgoing air to the fresh air. Just as a house in a cold climate would never be built without a furnace or boiler today, the house of the future will not be constructed without an air-to-air heat exchanger. As we continue to develop new ways to save energy, I suspect that in colder climates houses will also utilize some form of passive solar energy."

--from The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka

There are many websites related to energy efficiency and energy conservation; we offer these few as an introduction to ideas on how you can design your home to balance your comfort with the earth's energy resources.

US DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
A Department of Energy site, with access to all programs and government offices.

Energy Star
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have developed an Energy Star designation for products meeting certain energy performance criteria.

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)
A non-profit, public/private organization created by the window, door and skylight industry. It is comprised of manufacturers, suppliers, builders, architects and designers, specifiers, code officials, utilities and government agencies. NFRC provides consistent ratings on window, door and skylight products.

Efficient Windows Collaborative
Provides unbiased information on the benefits of energy-efficient windows, descriptions of how they work, and recommendations for their selection and use.

State Energy Codes

U.S. Department of Energy

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA)
MEEA is a collaborative network advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation.

Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
SWEEP collaborates with utilities, state agencies, environmental groups, universities, and other energy efficiency specialists. SWEEP also conducts studies and engages in policy advocacy.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA)
NEEA encourages the development and adoption of energy-efficient products and services.

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
NEEP's mission is to promote energy efficiency in homes, buildings and industry in the Northeast U.S. through regionally coordinated programs and policies that increase the use of energy efficient products, services and practices, and that help achieve a cleaner environment and a more reliable and affordable energy system.

Home Energy
The magazine of home energy conservation online. Archive of past issues, from 1993 to the present, as well as links to other energy sites.

Greenhouse Gas Technology Information Exchange
An international Directory of suppliers whose technologies and services help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

International Geothermal Association
The home page of the International Geothermal Association

American Solar Energy Society
The home page of the American Solar Energy Society

Southface Energy Institute
Southface Energy Institute is a non-profit green building and energy-efficent design resource center located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

Real Goods
The mission of Real Goods is to promote and inspire an environmentally healthy and sustainable future through their products, publications and educational demonstrations."

Fresh Energy
Fresh Energy is leading the transition to a clean energy system by harnessing research, advocacy and community engagement.

CleanPower.org
Scientists, environmentalists, public interest advocates and innovative energy technology companies working to promote sustainable resources and nonpolluting technologies to meet the world's integral appetite for energy.

Florida Solar Energy Center
FSEC conducts research in Building Science, Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal, Hydrogen and Alternative Fuels, Fuel Cells and other advanced energy technologies.

International Solar Energy Society
ISES is a non-profit global NGO relying on personal and corporate memberships and donations/grants to do its work.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration.

National Hydrogen Association The National Hydrogen Association is the premier source for information on hydrogen and hydrogen technologies.

American Wind Energy Association The American Wind Energy Association (AWEATM) promotes wind energy as a clean source of electricity for consumers around the world.

California Straw Building Association
A non-profit organization whose members are architects, engineers, builders, and people interested in straw building.

Oakridge National Laboratory Scientists and engineers at ORNL conduct basic and applied research and development to create scientific knowledge and technological solutions that strengthen the nation's leadership in key areas of science; increase the availability of clean, abundant energy; restore and protect the environment; and contribute to national security.

Lawerence Berkeley National Laboratory
Berkeley Lab conducts unclassified research across a wide range of scientific disciplines with key efforts in fundamental studies of the universe; quantitative biology; nanoscience; new energy systems and environmental solutions; and the use of integrated computing as a tool for discovery.

The Source for Renewable Energy The Source for Renewable Energy is a comprehensive online buyer's guide and business directory to more than 11,000 renewable energy businesses and organizations worldwide.

Union of Concerned Scientists
UCS is an independent nonprofit alliance of more than 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists. We augment rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.

World Energy Council
We promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people. We do this by identifying energy issues, advising and facilitating dialogue between energy decision makers and implementing action plans.