empire state building retrofit

One of the most iconic structures in NYC is about to get a makeover. When it was built, it was a model for engineering ingenuity. Now, it's going to serve as a model for energy efficiency. A retrofit is in order. It's estimated that the building's energy consumption will be reduced by 40%.

Video and blurb from Rocky Mountain Institute, one of the partners in the project, below.




In February 2008, project partners Rocky Mountain Institute, the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls, Inc., and Jones Lang LaSalle began working with existing and newly created modeling, measurement, and projection tools to fully analyze the Empire State Building's energy use. RMI's Built Environment Team then provided realistic recommendations that would help increase the building's energy efficiency without harming bottom-line performance.

According to RMI's Chief Scientist Amory Lovins, "In order to make cities cleaner and more energy efficient, there is a real need for a replicable model for retrofitting existing buildings. This visionary example will help to significantly reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy in buildings all over the world through these initiatives."

The Empire State Building team will undertake improvements, including window retrofits, daylighting, a radiator insulation retrofit, and a whole-building control system upgrade that will achieve a projected $4.4 million in annual energy savings while reducing energy consumption by close to 40 percent and cutting the building's overall carbon output.

Beyond the numbers, the process that the partners used made this project unique and the improvements possible. The program currently underway at the Empire State Building is the first to provide a comprehensive modeling approach to help capture energy savings on existing buildings. Over time, these breakthrough methods will make the Empire State one of the most efficient pre-war buildings in the world.


Learn more about the retrofit

developments: eco stuff from around the web

New growth forest promising, but not as plentiful as the real thing [NY Times]

All-in-one home recycling center saves space, but at a price [Gizmodo]

Light on the horizon: new LEDs that are affordable and built to last [TreeHugger]

Bad news for old king coal (good news for the planet) [Daily Kos]

getting involved

Was anyone else inspired as much as I was by Obama's call to service? I mean, isn't this what the country has been needing -- someone who is going to take the lead and guide people to work hard for the country they love? It's like we've all been in a kind of idle for the past 8 years, waiting for someone to tell us how we can help fix things. Not that a lot of people haven't been doing great things for the world for the past 8 years, but there's definitely been a lack of leadership from our governmental representatives.

So I've been thinking a lot about how I want to contribute. I already have a few ideas for specific issues I'd like to tackle. In case you need some ideas, I've put together a little list of ways you can help make the world a better place (a Michael Jackson song suddenly comes to mind):

ReCharge America
The ReCharge America movement is a call to act close to home, well, literally in your home. They lay out a simple 10 step plan for outfitting your home in order to save energy -- from swapping incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents to switching to renewable energy through your electricity provider. Once you take the steps toward reducing energy use in your home, it's easy to help your friends and family. Get to steppin'.

Power Past Coal
The Power Past Coal project is a collaborative effort to end the country's dependence on the dirty fossil fuel. You can start your own action, or join an existing one.

Be a Conservation Advocate
What does it take to be a conservation advocate? Passion, motivation, and a little elbow grease. Anyone can do it. You don't need an advanced degree in Ecology or any other field for that matter. It can be really daunting to think about, but you really could become an advocate with the right guidance and a little self education. Read Conservation International's guide on becoming a conservation advocate to learn more.

cleaning up dirty: a web roundup

From the oxymoronic "clean coal" to green clothing care, here's a little collection of articles and ideas on how to keep the world a little cleaner.

The no 'poo method: Wash your hair the non-toxic and economical way, with these tried and true baking soda and vinegar recipes
[One Green Generation]

Lighten up in '09: A buyers' guide to the most energy efficient (ie, less carbon-spewing) and least mercury containing CFLs
[Environmental Working Group]

Butts for fashion: Keeping cigarette butts out of the wastestream by creating yarn from it for knitting, crocheting
[Treehugger]

Goody gum drops! Tips for removing chewing gum from clothing, the eco-friendly way
[Planet Green]

Dirty snow: It's an energy-sucking industry -- tips on choosing ski resorts with a smaller carbon footprint
[Care2]

Dirty, dirty coal: It'll never be clean!
[GOOD]

It becomes a game of rhetorical bait-and-switch. Point out that there are exactly zero commercial power plants in the U.S. that sequester any carbon emissions, and “clean coal” advocates talk about how they’ve reduced “emissions” (though not greenhouse gasses). Mention that coal-burning power plants are still the country’s largest source of acid-rain-causing sulfur dioxide pollution and airborne emissions of birth-defect- and brain-damage-causing mercury pollution—or that they’re responsible for roughly 24,000 deaths every year in the United States—and ACCCE will tell you that they’re a mere ten years away from perfecting the art of carbon capture.

a simple way to help save the planet and the economy

I've mentioned Van Jones before, and how his book The Green Collar Economy is a declaration on how we can fix the both the environment and broken economy at the same time. Well, now you can hear straight from him how simple it can be to boost the economy while retrofitting drafty inefficient buildings. Take a look and listen:



Sounds pretty simple, right?


Read the book



Related post
millions of good things

most fuel efficient vehicles for 2009

Ready to make an upgrade to a fuel-efficient vehicle? Jalopnik's got a list of the most efficient cars out there, broken out by best city and highway mileage, and by category. No surprise, Prius still tops the list for both city and highway MPG.

Make Model: City or Highway

By City

1.) Toyota Prius: 48
2.) Honda Civic Hybrid: 40
3.) Nissan Altima Hybrid: 35
4.) Ford Escape/Mariner Hybrid 2WD: 34
5.) Smart Fortwo: 33
Toyota Camry Hybrid: 33
7.) Volkswagen Jetta/SportWagen Diesel: 30
8.) Toyota Yaris: 29
9.) Mini Cooper: 28
Honda FIt: 28

By Highway

1.) Toyota Prius: 45
Honda Civic Hybrid: 45
3.) Volkswagen Jetta/SportWagen Diesel: 41
Smart Fortwo: 41
5.) Chevy Cobalt/Pontiac G5 XFE: 37
Mini Cooper: 37
7.) Toyota Yaris: 36
Honda Civic/Civic CNG: 36
9.) Chevy Cobalt/Pontiac G5: 35
Toyota Corolla/Honda Fit: 35
Ford Focus: 35


The Most Fuel Efficient Cars By Category

Two-Seater Cars
Smart ForTwo: 33/41

Minicompact Cars
Mini Cooper: 28/37

Compact Cars
Honda Civic Hybrid: 40/45

Midsize Cars
Toyota Prius Hybrid: 48/45

Small Station Wagons
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Diesel: 30/41

Midsize Station Wagons
Kia Rondo: 20/27

Small Pickup Trucks
Ford Ranger 2WD: 21/26

Standard Pickup Trucks
Chevrolet C15 Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid: 21/22

Cargo Vans
Chevrolet/GMC G1500: 15/20

Minivans
Mazda Mazda5: 22/28
(pictured, right)

Sport Utility Vehicles
Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD: 34/31

[FuelEconomy.gov via Jalopnik]

energy (and money) saving tips for winter

Having a drafty home is (pardon the cliché) like throwing money out of the window. And saving energy is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Union of Concerned Scientists offered up these helpful tips for winterizing on a budget. I've added a few of my own energy saving tips below as well.

While there are many ways in which you can reduce your home’s energy use, these five projects can deliver the quickest payback on your purchase:

• Insulate your attic. It is relatively easy, yet very cost-effective, to add insulation to your attic. The Department of Energy (DOE) suggests a minimum attic insulation level of R-38 (R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow), equivalent to 12 to 15 inches of insulation. The DOE provides a map on its website (see the Related Resources below) that lists recommended insulation levels for U.S. climates.
• Seal air leaks. Weather stripping, door sweeps, window shrink wrap, and other materials can be purchased at your local hardware store for $50 or less, and can save you as much as 10 percent in energy costs. If you have an old fireplace, consider installing glass doors (which can cost a couple hundred dollars or more) to help prevent heat from escaping out the chimney when not in use.
• Seal heating ducts. Leaky ducts from forced-air or heat pump systems can allow up to 20 percent of the warm air to escape. While most ductwork is hidden in walls and floors, you can seal duct leaks on your own in attics, basements, or garages, and in areas where ducts meet floor or wall vents. The DOE estimates that sealing leaky ducts can save you up to $140 annually.
• Install a programmable thermostat. An Energy Star-qualified programmable thermostat can cost as little as $30 but save you $100 or more each year on heating costs by automatically turning the heat down when you are asleep or away (so you don’t have to remember to do it yourself).
• Upgrade your furnace. If your heating system is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with an Energy Star-rated model to cut your energy costs by up to 30 percent. Before you buy, make your home as efficient as possible first (following the tips above) so you can purchase the smallest system to fit your heating needs.

Homeowners can save even more money on energy efficiency improvements through tax breaks and other incentives offered by your utility or state government. And as part of the federal government’s recent economic bailout legislation, certain home improvements made in 2009 will be eligible for a tax credit (see the Related Resources).

Related Resources

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Fight the Frost This Winter
• U.S. Department of Energy—Sealing and Insulating
• Energy Star— Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

A few more energy saving tips:

• Let the sun shine in! If you're lucky enough to get direct sunlight, keep your drapes open during the day to let the sun's rays add a little heat. If your windows are drafty, close the drapes at night to keep the cold air out
• If you have a window air conditioner, take it out for the season
  
• When you bake or use the oven, keep it open after your done (and it's turned off, of course!) to add a little extra warmth to your home
  
• Wash your hands in cold water -- don't worry, you'll kill as much germs as with warm water
• Also, wash your laundry in cold water. This can also extend the life of your garments
  
• Keep lights off during the day and only use lights in the room you're in at night. And switch from incandescents to
• CFLs!
  
• If you have a programmable thermostat, have it set to 55°F when you're not home and at night when you're sleeping, and raise the temperature to 68°F for when you're at home and awake
  
• If you have control over the hot water heater in your home (unlike many apartment dwellers!) set it to 120°F. According to the US DOE, for each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs
• Layer! Keep the thermostat low and wear warmer clothes

Take it from Jimmy, wear a sweater!

• Unplug the energy vampires, those appliances you only occasionally use like the toaster, microwave oven, DVD player
• Use power strips where multiple appliances are used (think TV, DVD player, stereo, etc.); switch the power strip to off when you leave the house
• Power down your computer when not in use

Get yourself a thermostat

• Honeywell RTH230B 5-2 Day Programmable Thermostat ($29.56)
• Honeywell RTH7500D Conventional 7-Day Programmable Thermostat ($78.99)

millions of good things

Bette Midler, the founder of the New York Restoration Project, planting a Carolina Silverbell tree.
(Image: Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times)


If we are going to beat global warming, we are going to have to weatherize millions of buildings, install millions of solar panels, manufacture millions of wind-turbine parts, plant and care for millions of trees, build millions of plug-in hybrid vehicles, and construct thousands of solar farms, wind farms, and wave farms. That will require thousands of contracts and millions of jobs -- producing billions of dollars of economic stimulus.

~Van Jones
The Green Collar Economy

It's only the beginning...

Million Solar Roofs [Cali.]
The plan will provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output of greenhouse gasses by 3 million tons which is like taking one million cars off the road.
~Arnold Schwarzenegger

Million Trees [NYC]
Trees help clean our air, and reduce the pollutants that trigger asthma attacks and exacerbate other respiratory diseases. They cool our streets, sidewalks, and homes on hot summer days. Trees increase property value, and encourage neighborhood revitalization. And trees make our City an even more beautiful and comfortable place to live, work, and visit.

Million Building Retrofits [S. Bronx... coming soon]
Drafty buildings create broke, chilly people -- and an overheated planet.
~Van Jones

meet the new macs

Apple makes some advancements in sustainability with their new MacBook and MacBook Pro. Both MacBooks achieve EPEAT Gold status, which means that they met all of the 23 required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria under their gold certification standards.

Below, some of the eco-friendly features of the new laptops.


MacBook and MacBook Pro 15"

• Meet EPEAT Gold status
  
• Arsenic free
• Brominated fire retardant (BFR) free
• Mercury free
• PVC free
• Recyclable
• Energy efficient LED-backlit display
• Meet Energy Star 4.0 requirements
• Ship in a a 37% smaller packaging

Get all of the tech specs at Gizmodo.

best bulb yet?

Sure CFLs save loads of energy, but you have to admit, the light they cast is seriously drab, giving everyone and everything in their path a death-like pallor. LEDs are constantly improving, but they're not really affordable. Thankfully, there's a new light bulb that's ultra-efficient, cost-effective, and warmly glowing on the horizon.

Electron-stimulated Luminescence
(ESL, not to be confused with English as a second language)
It looks like an old incandescent bulb, but you won't find a filament inside it. The ESL, brand name Vu1, works by stimulating phosphor to make the surface of the bulb glow. And unlike CFLs, these bulbs don't need mercury to work. The Vu1 is also made utilizing glass from existing materials, i.e., glass from regular light bulb manufacturers.

ESLs are as energy efficient as CFLs, but they provide superior light quality. The price will be comparable to dimmable CFLs at about $12 and they might be available as early as September. Check out the differences between light technologies, at right. [Source: Vu1 Corporation]

[Vu1 via CleanTechnica]

evening eco news

• With climate change, US forests to be a thing of the past? [National Geographic]
  
• 10 little fuel-efficient cars not in the States, yet [Popular Mechanics]
• Congress & Greenpeace joining forces to reduce e-waste [CNET]
• SanFran nearing carbon neutrality (well, kinda) [San Francisco Chronicle]
• Gorillas out of the mist in the Congo [Scientific American]

energy saving for summer

Stay cool in the summer swelter and save money with these simple ways to reduce energy consumption:

• Close the blinds/curtains/shades to keep out the sun's rays
• Keep the windows closed during the day when the heat is most extreme
• Avoid using the oven -- opt for salads and other no-cook meals, use the microwave instead (it's more efficient and produces less heat), or grill if you've got one!
  
• Do laundry at night when it's cooler; wait until you have a full load, use cold water to wash, and hang to dry if you can
• Run the dishwasher at night and skip the heat dry cycle
• Take cool showers -- using less hot water saves energy
• Wash your hands in cold water (see above) -- don't worry, you'll kill as much germs as with warm water
• Keep lights off during the day and only use lights in the room you're in at night
• Use the A/C only in the evening when you're home, or use fans instead
• If you have central air, have it set to turn off when you're not home and raise the temperature to 78 degrees when you are
• Make sure your home is insulated properly
  
• Unplug the energy vampires, those appliances you only occasionally use like the toaster, microwave oven, DVD player
• Use power strips where multiple appliances are used (think TV, DVD player, stereo, etc.); switch the power strip to off when you leave the house
• Power down your computer when not in use

the sound of sleep

For years, my boyfriend used an air conditioner to drown out the noises of the city, just to get (and stay) asleep. It wasn't something I was accustomed to, but I learned to get used to it. But then I started thinking about how much energy sucking that air conditioner did, 365 days a year. We tried one of those noise machines with the varying sounds: rainforest, jungle, waterfall, plain old white noise. The problem with those things is that they're a recorded loop of sound. Whoooosh Whoooosh (hic) Whooosh. You can hear the slight skip where the loop starts again. Focusing on that hiccup is not conducive to a sound night's sleep.

Finally we found a sound machine that works. The Marpac SleepMate 980A Electro-Mechanical Sound Conditioner (quite a mouthful, but if you want to experience one, just click the link). It uses a small internal fan to make a whooshing sound. So now we're using a lot less energy and sleeping like babies. Whoooosh Whoooosh zzzzzzZZZZZZZZ

before i go

No one will be home to watch Letterman or to update the Netflix queue. There won't be anyone looking for a late night snack in the fridge or listening to iTunes on the stereo. The only life stirring (very slowly) will be the plants, unless our little mouse friend returns in our absence.

So there are a few things we need to do before we leave for vacation:

• Hold the mail
• Stop the weekend paper
• Unplug everything (powerstrips make this easier, at least until the whole house switch is available)
• Eat all the perishables in the fridge (this can require careful planning)
• Water the plants
• Close the windows
• Turn down the thermostat (in winter), turn off the A/C (in summer)
• Give the keys to a responsible friend

Did I miss anything?

airing the dirty laundry

One of the easiest ways to move toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle is by changing the way you do laundry. And one of the first things I did was make the switch to biodegradable, petroleum-free laundry detergent, like Seventh Generation.

Here are some other low-impact laundry tactics:

• Washing clothes in cold water not only saves energy (in heating the water), it helps preserve the colors and fabrics over time

• Air drying clothes also saves tons of energy. Try one of these contraptions:
• rubber clothes line
• outdoor clothes dryer
• drying rack
• indoor retractable line

• Opting for CO2 cleaning instead of traditional dry cleaning is safer for you and the environment. Find CO2 cleaners in your area

• Handwashing with a non-toxic detergent is also a great alternative for your delicates like cashmere and wool
• The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo leaves sweaters soft and smelling nice without chemical residue

• Replacing an old washer and/or dryer also saves energy. Be sure to get one with an Energy Star rating
  

Coming soon to a laundromat near you?
Check out this new washing machine from the UK that uses only 1 cup of water for a load of wash. Though it does require all these little plastic chips to do the cleaning (good for about 100 washes). What would you do with them when they need replacing? Got any ideas?