The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) reached 55 in the fourth quarter of 2012, increasing five points from the previous quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). This is the highest reading since the first quarter of 2004.
Danfoss has announced its fourth annual EnVisioneer of the Year award competition. The competition recognizes those who have introduced a new product, opened a new facility, or invested in a building or system upgrade using Danfoss products or solutions to realize significant energy and/or environmental savings.
Dassault Systèmes, a leader in 3D design, 3D digital mock up, and product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions, has announced the launch of “Lean Construction,” an industry solution developed for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry for collaborative project management and execution.
A diverse coalition of energy leaders has unveiled a set of recommendations designed to double United States energy productivity by 2030. The Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy is chaired by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tom King, president, National Grid USA.
Spending on energy efficiency programs funded by electric and natural gas utility customers will double by 2025 to about $9.5 billion per year, according to projections published by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researcher has developed a technique that provides a new way of manipulating heat, allowing it to be controlled in much the same way as light waves can be manipulated by lenses and mirrors.
IBM, STMicroelectronics, and Shaspa have announced a collaboration to tap cloud and mobile computing for manufacturers and service providers to provide new ways for consumers to manage and interact with their homes’ systems using multiple user interfaces such as voice recognition and physical gestures for a “smarter” home.
Thermal energy storage systems are increasingly seen as an effective means of shifting electricity use from daytime peak periods to off-peak times, saving money and increasing overall system efficiency. According to a report from Pike Research, total revenue from worldwide sales of thermal energy storage will grow steadily, reaching $3.6 billion by 2020.
After declining sharply from 2009 to 2011, consumer support for clean energy concepts has essentially stabilized, according to a survey by Pike Research. The survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults found that the average percentage of consumers with a “very favorable” or “favorable” view of 13 clean energy concepts stands at 42 percent.