Energy Data for NYC Buildings Released

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NYC made history this week by releasing a huge dataset of actual building performance—including some blank spots for buildings that didn't comply with the law.

NYC is making history, but other cities are soon to follow.Photo Credit: Alex Wilson

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The Difference Between Storage and Tankless Water Heaters

While they have higher efficiency, for most applications tankless water heaters don’t make sense.
by Alex Wilson

There are two primary types of water heaters: storage and tankless. In this column I’ll try to explain the differences between these two approaches and offer some guidance on choosing between them. (There are also “hybrid” water heaters with features of both that I’ll cover in a future blog post.)

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You can lead a horse to water…

…But you can’t make it drink. In other words, bike racks and showers will probably not be enough to encourage biking in an area that’s unfriendly to bicyclists. If you’re thinking of pursuing this credit, first consider the realities of the neighborhood around your project. Is it realistic that building occupants will ride bicycles and make use of the bike racks and storage or the shower facilities? It’s important to consider whether the intent of this credit will bear out in reality or if your resources might be better allocated elsewhere.