Carbon-free buildings

Policy & regulation

With new draft rules, Vermont’s clean heat standard faces murky future

Last year, Vermont became one of the first states to pass a clean heat law. Now, its regulators and lawmakers are trying to figure out how to implement the policy.

By Carrie Klein . 8 October 2024

Downtown Montpellier, the capital city of Vermont. (John Greim/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Electrification

How to get contractors on board with heat pumps and electrification

U.S. homes can’t go all-electric unless lots of contractors know they'll make money doing the work. Here are some companies offering a path to profitability.

By Jeff St. John . 8 February 2023
Carbon-free buildings

Interactive: Turn this old house into your clean-energy dream home

How can you make a home more climate-friendly and more comfortable? Here's the technology you need, plus the steps to get you there.

By Alison F. Takemura . 6 February 2023
Electrification

Home of the future: Climate-friendly, electrified and closer than ever

The technology and policies are falling into place. But we’ll need a revolution in U.S. home retrofit business models and financing to scale up enough to meet the climate challenge.

By Jeff St. John . 6 February 2023
Carbon-free buildings

VC firm Fifth Wall to bankroll deployment of carbon-free building tech

Despite the building sector's massive emissions, little investment has flowed into real-estate decarbonization so far. Fifth Wall wants to change that.

By Julian Spector . 23 January 2023
Energy storage

5 reasons why thermal storage may finally be set to take off

As the push to decarbonize buildings gains momentum, the simple concept of using ice to reduce AC use is becoming more appealing.

By Julian Spector . 23 January 2023
Energy efficiency

Which states could gain the most from energy-saving building codes?

There's federal money on the table to help states modernize their building energy codes. But some states could benefit from it more than others.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 January 2023
Fossil fuels

Chart: Here’s why everyone is freaking out over gas stoves

The performative outrage over a nonexistent ban on gas stoves is overblown. The clear proof of the harmful health impacts of fossil gas isn't.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 13 January 2023
Carbon capture

More NYC high-rises to be outfitted with novel carbon-capture system

Startup CarbonQuest had a successful pilot project in a New York City apartment building and now has a contract to roll out its technology at more buildings.

By Julian Spector . 10 January 2023
Carbon capture

Carbon capture for New York high-rise apartments is a real thing now

As New York City works to reduce building-related carbon emissions, one 30-story apartment tower is proving you can trap and sequester carbon from gas boiler exhaust.

By Julian Spector . 8 December 2022
Guest essay

Why green banks should be able to finance upgrades to old buildings

Green banks are getting billions from the Inflation Reduction Act. The Biden administration should allow them to invest some of it in building renovations in city centers.

By Patrice Frey, Calvin Gladney . 25 October 2022