Quick hits
Energy Resources
The energy crisis may be old news to many people, but conserving energy and resources is always a hot topic for architects. The following Web sites offer interesting and timely information on energy efficiency, sustainability, and other related topics.
Many of the selected sites also provide lists of links to other commercial and nonprofit sites that offer information architects may find useful.
- www.aia.org - The AIA's Committee on the Environment provides resources to help architects increase sustainability through design.
- www.edison.com - Southern California Edison's site gives energy conservation, rebate, and incentive information, and offers links to other energy-related sites.
- www.eley.com - Charles Eley and his firm have been actively involved in building energy efficiency. The site delivers information about green-design software tools and other information for architects.
- www.energy.ca.gov - The California Energy Commission's Web site has a great deal of information on regulations, incentive programs, and publications of interest to architects.
- www.energy.gov - The Web site for the U.S. Department of Energy.
- www.currentenergy.lbl.gov - This Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory site gives a graphic depiction of the current load on the state's power grid.
- www.savepower.lbl.gov - This Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory site offers an interactive tool to help consumers determine what it takes to use 20 percent less power.
- www.energystar.gov - Offers useful information on equipment ratings for the government's Energy Star program.
- www.pge.com - The Web site for Pacific Gas and Electric provides information on rebates and incentives, and ideas on energy-saving measures including the PEC Heliodon. A heliodon or "sun machine" is a tool for identifying opportunities for energy savings and occupant comfort through more solar-responsive architecture.
- www.rmi.org - The Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit organization, works exclusively on promoting environmentally friendly building and business practices. The site offers good information across all environmental issues.
- www.sbicouncil.org - A must-visit site for all architects involved or interested in sustainable design practice.
- www.smud.org - The Sacramento Municipal Utility District's site offers sections on energy conservation and on energy and technology.
- Southern California Lighting Technology Center (SCLTC) - Is a joint partnership between the California Lighting Technology Center in Davis and Southern California Edison. The SCLTC's mission is to foster the application of energy-efficient lighting and daylighting in partnership with the lighting industry, lighting professionals and the design engineering community.
- www.usgbc.org - The U.S. Green Building Council offers information on creating buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
- www.wbdg.org - According to the site introduction, the Whole Building Design Guide is an Internet resource to a wide range of building-related design guidance, criteria, and technology.