Following months of speculation by LEED users, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that LEED version 4 (LEED v4) will be supported by a new LEED Online documentation platform. In contrast with the maligned LEED Online version 3 (LOv3) platform that supports LEED 2009 projects, the new LEED Online will be faster, accessible to more browsers, and more integrated with other USGBC resources, according to USGBC.

Philadelphia’s Navy Yard is achieving robust economic development while demonstrating a wide variety of energy innovations

Producing ethanol from corn is a bad idea not only because of the poor energy return on investment (EROI), but also because of the impact it is having on ecosystems in the Midwest

For insulating our buildings, vacuum insulation panels may not be cost-effective, but they will become common in other applications

When the idea of a LEED Fellow credential was first floated, I wasn't sure about it. This was when the term "legacy" was about to be affixed to tens of thousands of existing LEED APs, and we were going to be asked to navigate a new jungle of credential types. Would it be worth it?

On your way to Greenbuild 2013 in Philadelphia? Myself and the rest of the  LEEDuser team are looking forward to seeing you there! I would love to meet up with you at our booth, #1617. We have a special giveaway there for LEEDuser members and nonmembers alike.

A number of our LEEDuser Experts will also be joining me at the booth to meet you in person and answer your specific LEED questions. Here is the current schedule: (note – experts are noted for primary expertise but they all offer so much more!)

Recent BuildingGreen resources give a pretty good picture of just what building enclosure commissioning (BECx) is and how its use is on the rise in high-performance buildings. But a logical follow-up question I get asked a lot is: how can I get the necessary education to become proficient in BECx—or actually get credentialed or certified as a BECx agent or expert?

I recently reported that a new mineral wool insulation product from Roxul can be readily used in place of foam-plastic insulation materials like polystyrene in certain applications.

In working on major updates and expansions to The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation, we’ve had an opportunity to dig into some of the insulation products out there that you don't hear so much about. Some of what we’re found has been surprising.

Installing a Mitsubishi air-source heat pump in our new house

Thirty-five years ago, when I first got involved with energy efficiency and renewable energy, the mere suggestion that one might heat with electricity would be scoffed at by those of us seeking alternatives to fossil fuels.

LED light quality is still not very good, but a new California standard could change that, and prevent another CFL-style consumer rejection.

Viridian tropical hardwood decking is reclaimed from shipping materials—and it should last decades

The United Nations, climate change, and resilient design: a day at the U.N. World Habitat conference

A would-be HVAC designer wonders if a ductless mini-split head can be hidden in a closet and connected to conventional ductwork.

This post by Scott Gibson first appeared on Green Building Advisor.

LED lighting has come a long way in a very few years and can now fully supplant incandescent and fluorescent technology

Our electrician was in last week installing lighting in our new home here in southern Vermont.