A report released this week by E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) highlights the tremendous impact of the pandemic on clean jobs. According to Clean Jobs America 2021, for the first time since the organization began tracking clean jobs, employment fell across the sector in 2020. The pandemic, the resulting economic fallout, and the lingering impacts of policies of the previous administration all contributed to a decline of 11 percent in the total number of clean jobs, the report notes.
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Fiberglass batts are commonly used to insulate flat ceilings and attic areas in both new and existing buildings. They offer performance, cost-effectiveness, and relative ease of installation, but that doesn’t mean they’re always installed properly. The performance of any insulation product is dependent not only on selecting the proper product but also on installing it correctly. So, how does one install batts in flat ceilings to maximize thermal performance?
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An increasing focus on mitigating climate change and constructing sustainable, resilient buildings has created a green buildings industry exploding with job opportunities. However, many job seekers simply don’t know those occupations exist.
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NAIMA has released a new report that documents the acoustical performance of residential wall cavity insulation products. The report is based on research conducted by Intertek Labs that tested seven wall assemblies with variations in cavity insulation products, including fiberglass, mineral wool, open cell spray foam, closed cell spray foam, and flash and batt applications with spray foam and fiberglass insulation.
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3 Pandemic Housing Trends to Watch
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, the virus continues to impact housing trends in America. While white-hot housing demand and the increase in construction prices are making headlines, there are other interesting trends shaping the current U.S. housing market that are worth noting. This week, we examine three.
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NAIMA/Insulation Institute frequently fields questions regarding various performance aspects of fiberglass and mineral wool insulation. One of the most common questions we receive is, “what is the typical lifespan of fiberglass and mineral wool insulation?” Other questions come up regarding settling and loose fill insulation. We know there are many misconceptions about fiberglass and mineral wool insulation products’ performance and longevity, so pointing out research that can help dispel myths is often necessary.
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A new report from HomeLight shows that consumers’ energy use and energy efficiency preferences have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a survey of 1,000 top real estate agents, the report sheds light on home buying and selling trends – with interesting insights about energy efficiency awareness and preferences.
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This month’s extreme cold snap in Texas and resulting failure of the state’s power grid offers some important lessons in the rear-view mirror. This week, we look at three takeaways from this month’s crisis and how we can better prepare for the next one.
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Builder Ryan McCoon, LEED APH of Endura Performance Homes, has more than 30 years’ experience in the residential construction industry and has built 60 homes ranging in price from $500 – $1.5M in Traverse City, MI area. As a high-end custom builder, Ryan has the weight of his client’s expectations at the forefront of his mind as he completes their homes. He takes care to ensure that the projects are attractive, healthy, and have lower operating costs and increased durability for many years to come.
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According to Construction Dive, a study of 730,000 COVID-19 tests found that construction workers had the highest positivity rate for asymptomatic cases of any occupation. Therefore, to reduce widespread illness and keep pace with the high demand for residential construction, it’s essential to get workers vaccinated. Multistate, a full-service state and local government relations company, has published a comprehensive dashboard of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan for all 50 states.
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