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Did You Know


When You Pass FEDSAT, You Also Earn One Hour of Continuing Education

You can get one free hour’s worth of continuing education / professional development by passing the Federal Facilities Skills Assessment Tool (FEDSAT)!

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IEQ and Asthma

Indoor contaminants such as dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, secondhand smoke and some chemicals can trigger asthma attacks. One in 11 children and one in 12 adults suffer from asthma.

Source: Asthma’s Impact on the Nation (2012): Data from the CDC National Asthma Control Programopens in new window

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Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs)

Energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) allow federal agencies to implement cost-saving facility energy improvements with no up-front capital costs. Source: U.S. DOE Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), Energy Savings Performance Contracts for Federal Agenciesopens in new window Continue reading: Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs)

Buildings' Water Use

Water use in commercial and institutional facilities, such as office buildings and hospitals, account for 17% of publicly-supplied water use in the U.S.

Source: EPA WaterSenseopens in new window

Reduce water use with SFTool   Continue reading: Buildings' Water Use

Buildings' Energy Use

Buildings represent about 76% of electricity use and 40% of U.S. primary energy use, making it essential to reduce energy consumption to reduce costs to building owners and tenants. Source: U.S. Department of Energy (2015). Quadrennial Technology Review 2015, Chapter 5opens in new window. Continue reading: Buildings' Energy Use
indoor air dyk

Indoor Air Quality

EPA studies indicate indoor levels of pollutants may be up to ten times higher than outdoor levels.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency (2008). An Introduction to Indoor Air Qualityopens in new window.

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LED Price Drop

LED prices have dropped rapidly in recent years.  They are now more lifecycle cost effective than fluorescents in every lighting application.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Sept 2017, SSL 2017 Suggested Research Topics Supplement, Technology and Market Contextopens in new window

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Water Consumption

Between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population nearly doubled. However, in that same period, public demand for water more than tripled. Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water each day—enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses. Source: EPA WaterSenseopens in new window

Reduce water use with SFTool   Continue reading: Water Consumption

U.S. Waste and Recycling

The U.S. generated approximately 251 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2012. Almost 87 million tons were recycled and composted, which represents a 34.5% recycling rate. Solid waste generated per capita is the lowest since the 1980s. This is a 3 percent increase in the tons recycled.

Source: US EPA, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2012opens in new window.

Reduce facility waste with SFTool   Continue reading: U.S. Waste and Recycling

Time Indoors

People in the U.S. spend about 90% of their time indoors.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency (1987). The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study.opens in new window

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High-Performance Buildings Marketplace

40% of U.S. architects, engineers, contractors, building owners and building consultants report that the majority of building work was green in 2012. It is expected that 53% of these U.S. firms will be engaged in mostly green building work by 2015. 44% of all nonresidential building project starts were green in 2012 as well, up from 2% in 2005. Green buildings hold strong appeal for both commercial and institutional (including government) owners.

Source: McGraw Hill Construction (2013). 2013 World Green Building Trends SmartMarket Reportnon government site opens in new window.

Continue reading: High-Performance Buildings Marketplace

Post Consumer Fiber Paper

Every ton (about 40 cartons) of 30% postconsumer content copier paper saves the equivalent of 7.2 trees

Source: ConservaTreenon government site opens in new window

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Recycling Bottles

Recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light a 60-watt bulb for up to 6 hours.

Source: Bureau of International Recycling Continue reading: Recycling Bottles

Building Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) accounts for approximately 44% of commercial building energy use.Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2012 Commercial Building Energy Surveyopens in new window. Reduce your HVAC costs with SFTool   Continue reading: Building Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Helpful Tools

Check out our helpful tools for everyday tasks, including understanding federal requirements, project planning, procurement, and O&M.

Explore our Tools   Continue reading: Helpful Tools

Building Plug Loads

Plug loads can average approximately 30% of electricity use in office settings, much of which can be attributed to parasitic loads (power draw of a plug-load that is not performing useful work). Source: Plug Load Research Review Summaryopens in new window; GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings (2013).. Reduce your plug load costs with SFTool   Continue reading: Building Plug Loads

Case Study

Health

PBS Office - Skylight

Good health has both physical and psychological components. Being healthy means the absence of disease and illness, as well as feeling positive about life and work. The workplace can play a role in the health of workers by eliminating risks and creating conditions that support cognitive, emotional, and social well-being.

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