RMI Carbon-Free Buildings

Did you know that replacing a gas furnace with a heat pump could reduce carbon pollution by 34–93 percent across all 48 contiguous states, depending on your region? City governments, home contractors, and community partners can collectively lead the charge on home energy upgrades through local “Electrify” programs that help lower costs and accelerate heat pump adoption. Our new “Five-Step Guide to Develop a Local Home Electrification Program” shares insights from 12 RMI-supported Electrify programs that engaged over 56,000 residents, mobilized more than 100 home contractors, and are projected to result in over 3,000 heat pump installations. The five key steps include: 1?? Developing a program team and goals 2?? Supporting local contractor engagement 3?? Designing incentive offerings 4?? Developing community education and outreach 5?? Launching and managing the program Learn more and take action in your community: https://bit.ly/3Zhorhl

If you're home builder, designer or energy rater, you'll want to learn all about the forthcoming RESNET Standard 1550 for measuring and reporting embodied carbon. The standard is out for public comment now. Join me and SDC Committee Member Matthew Cooper of RESNET Provider PEG, as we discuss RESNET draft PDS-01 of RESNET 1550, Embodied Carbon. The standard provides a consistent methodology for the calculation and reporting of the embodied carbon of dwelling and sleeping units. The standard defines the scope for calculating embodied carbon and a methodology for conducting the calculations that uses the same modeling data and processes and reporting employed by standard ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301. Register here: https://lnkd.in/grrWhyRJ

2024 has been a year of substantial progress for RMI and the global energy transition. Together, with our donors and partners, we’ve tackled climate challenges, developed market-based solutions, and unlocked opportunities for everyone. Learn more about what we accomplished in our Annual Report: https://bit.ly/3Z1rRDw Clean, affordable energy isn’t just possible — it’s happening faster than many realize. Thanks to all of our supporters for being part of this journey. #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #ClimateAction

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. In case you need some supporting statistics when you urge your parents’ friend’s cousin’s sister to switch to a heat pump and electric water heater, RMI just launched a new data hub that tracks the heat pump and water heater market in the U.S. Here are some of the takeaways from July 2022-June 2024: ?? 3.6 Million heat pump space heaters were sold ?? 55% of space heater sales were heat pumps ?? 42% of air conditioners sold were heat pumps ?? 54% of water heaters sold were electric Using data from the Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), this new tracker can serve as a useful tool to monitor the growth and impact of heat pumps and electric water heaters on decarbonization goals and market trends. Visit the tracker for more ?? https://bit.ly/3Z4w3T4

One of the most cost-effective ways to meaningfully decarbonizing buildings is building smart from the start. But to do this, leaders need policies that make zero-emission construction the norm, while complying with federal laws. To help cities and states successfully advance zero-emission new construction for commercial and residential properties, RMI and the Public Health Law Center have created the ? Energy Code Safe Harbor Toolkit ?. The toolkit not only informs jurisdiction staff and advocates across the country on how energy codes work, but also provides plug-and-play energy code proposals that promote (instead of penalize) high efficiency heating appliances, such as heat pumps, in new buildings. Want to learn more? ?? Check out the toolkit: https://bit.ly/3ZhYmyC ?? And register for our upcoming webinar on Monday, Dec 2 @ 3:30 pm ET: https://bit.ly/3ZhYmi6

Are you curious how biomaterials can shape the future of sustainable buildings ?? ?? ? Join us at Reimagine Buildings: Biomaterials on Dec 6 from 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST, hosted in partnership with Passive House Accelerator! We'll be delving deep into biomaterials' potential to reshape climate solutions through carbon storage and innovative building practices. ?? Learn why biomaterials matter for climate impact ?? Discover how to measure and implement carbon storage ?? Get inspired by case studies + collaborative strategies Bonus: earn AIA Continuing Education credits! Register here?? https://lnkd.in/grdaRrBv

Who doesn't like a sneak peek into a construction project?! We need more inspiring and informative events like this to normalize energy retrofits. I heard a comment "Insulating the exterior envelope looks easier than I thought - why aren't we doing this on more projects?" Yes! ....It. is. possible. RMI Carbon-Free Buildings Thank you -Allston Brighton CDC Onion Flats Architecture Haycon LISC Massachusetts Massachusetts Clean Energy Center MHP (Massachusetts Housing Partnership) Caitlin Robillard Beverly Craig Emily Jones Joe Backer Lauren Baumann Kristen Simmons Tim McDonald Patrick Haydon

??? ? Residential electrification is a key strategy for local governments to cut pollution, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the quality of life for residents. RMI’s new guide helps local governments and community organizations design equitable and effective "Electrify" programs with: ? Strong partnerships ? Contractor engagement ? Accessible incentives ? Tailored outreach ? Thoughtful implementation The guide draws on insights from?12 RMI-supported Electrify programs?that engaged over 56,000 residents, mobilized more than 100 home contractors, and are projected to result in over 3,000 heat pump installations. If your local government is ready to launch an Electrify program, we encourage you to explore?our new resources to help you accelerate the adoption of clean electric heat pumps in your community. ?? Short on time? Read the abbreviated guide: https://bit.ly/4eHoZBE ?? Ready to dig in? Read the full guide here: https://bit.ly/3AHHvvQ ?? Learn about real-world success stories here: https://bit.ly/3AZWnFJ #ClimateSolutions #HeatPumpNation

Every contribution to RMI helps us build a cleaner, greener, healthier world. ?? Thanks to generous donors, all gifts made by December 31, 2024, will be DOUBLED, up to $115,000. Make a difference and donate today: https://lnkd.in/gF8HyPYV

The Carbon-Storing Materials Pavilion at Greenbuild International Conference & Expo was a great success. The pavilion was busy for the whole two days, with lots of folks getting excited about products they had no idea were available, as well as getting a chance to experience products they had heard about but never seen. Thanks to the U.S. Green Building Council and Wes Sullens, LEED Fellow for the opportunity to bring these small, innovative manufacturers to the Greenbuild audience. And to Durra Panel, Hempitecture, Americhanvre, HempWood?, lightly, Cast Carbon, Build With Nature, The Hemp Block Company Limited, Homeland Hempcrete, Hemp Building Institute and Polyhedral Structures Laboratory, thanks for making the investment and effort to attend!