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Green, sustainable, high performance—there are many names
to describe a growing trend in the buildings industry towards buildings
that use less energy and fewer natural resources, impact the environment
less (directly and indirectly), and cost less to operate.
These buildings also provide healthier indoor environments
for the people who live and work in them, leading to increased productivity.
Indeed, high-performance buildings benefit building users, owners,
communities, states, and our nation. Read more about the benefits
of high-performance buildings.
If you are planning to build a new building or renovate
an existing one, there are many resources to help. This web site
provides many guidelines, tools, success stories, and links to guide
you throughout the entire process.
- Plan and finance your project with energy-efficiency and sustainability
in mind.
Follow these steps in your planning process:
- Design, construct, and
renovate your high-performance building using the whole-building
design approach and design tools. Consult a special renovation
section to improve your building's performance.
- Choose building components
that use the latest in energy-efficient technologies and practices
and learn about what's on the horizon.
- Operate and maintain
your building to get the most out of your energy dollars. Even
if you can't afford major renovations, there are no- or low-cost
ways to save.
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