Carbon-free buildings

Fossil fuels

Seattle and other cities mull creative workarounds to ditch gas

After a court ruling struck down bans on fossil gas, lawmakers are devising new and innovative ways to electrify buildings.

By Akielly Hu . 20 December 2023
Electrification

Americans like home electrification — but also still love their gas stoves

Less than one-third of Americans want a fully electric home. That number jumps to 60 percent if they can keep cooking with gas.

By Tik Root, Grist . 11 December 2023
Electrification

Yes, it’s possible to electrify a home on just 100 amps

It may require careful planning and efficient appliances like heat pumps, but 100-amp service can be enough to kick fossil fuels out of your home.

By Alison F. Takemura . 7 December 2023
Energy efficiency

This simple score can help you find an energy-efficient home

A growing number of cities are mandating Home Energy Scores, a metric that makes it easy for potential renters or homebuyers to grasp a home’s energy use.

By Alison F. Takemura . 8 November 2023
Clean industry

To decarbonize cement, the industry needs a full transformation

Cement production has an enormous carbon footprint. That can be curbed with plug-and-play solutions, but eliminating emissions entirely will require big, ambitious action.

By Jeff St. John . 24 October 2023
Clean industry

6 innovative startups that are kicking CO2 out of cement and concrete

Cement-making is a 150-year-old process. These companies are using new additives, chemistries and methods that could curb the industry's oversize climate impact.

By Maria Gallucci, Jeff St. John . 24 October 2023
Carbon-free buildings

Boston skyscraper named world’s biggest 'Passive House' office

The building, which will use far less energy than a conventional design, is the latest example of the efficiency standard’s growing popularity.

By Alison F. Takemura . 11 October 2023
Energy efficiency

These startups are using AI to cut energy waste from buildings

Buildings use — and waste — an enormous amount of energy. A growing number of startups are trying to wield buzzy AI technologies to fix this problem.

By Jeff St. John . 9 October 2023
Heat pumps

New plan aims to quadruple heat-pump adoption in 25 states

The pledge, which covers 55% of the population, calls for accelerating home decarbonization by deploying 20 million heat pumps by 2030.

By Jeff St. John . 21 September 2023
Clean industry

Startup hits milestone in its bid to cut concrete’s dirtiest ingredient

Demand for clean concrete is rising. CarbonBuilt says it has a potential solution: concrete made without using any Portland cement.

By Maria Gallucci . 21 September 2023