VMA Sees Just How Green We Can Be…

by Melissa Andrews, LEED GA

Commercial buildings account for approximately 36 percent of total national electricity usage, according to the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Buildings Energy Data Book. The Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program, also known as “Philly Green Biz,” was created to help businesses reduce their consumption of resources. Developed in 2009 by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) in conjunction with their Sustainable Philadelphia Initiative to help make the city the most sustainable region in the country, the Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program now has over 100 businesses participating and evaluating their current business standards in order to work towards developing “greener” business practices. Voith & Mactavish Architects is proud to be a Gold-ranked charter member of this program.
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Posted in Sustainability

Infiltration

by John H. Cluver, AIA, LEED

We have all felt just how quickly a single open door or window can suck the heat out of a building on a cold, windy day. One great way to minimize energy loss in a building is to reduce the transfer of air between the interior environment and the great outdoors. While we typically don’t leave our windows open in the winter, many older buildings achieve a similar effect through the myriad of cracks, gaps, joints, and other openings found in a variety of locations. Whether they are the product of poor workmanship, material deterioration, natural movement, or rodent activity, any openings exposed to the outside air can contribute to undesired heat or cooling loss.
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Posted in Sustainability

VMA Sees Just How Green We Can Be…

Infiltration

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