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Types of Collectors for Solar Water Heating
Selecting the best type of solar thermal collector will depend on the application.
U.S. Construction Costs Take a Breather in Latest Quarter
For October 2007, RSMeans’ U.S. 30-city average Construction Cost Index (CCI) recorded a year-over-year increase of +3.4%. This was the lowest year-over-year gain in almost four years. Furthermore, the annualized quarter-to-quarter increase was even less at +2.1%. Material costs are still increasing faster than labor. The current period of quiet for construction costs is primarily the product of two factors and by mid 2008, these are likely to be superseded by five factors, as set out in this report.
U.S. Construction Forecast Tables — Issued December 2007
Based on job-site activity levels through October 2007, Reed Construction Data now expects total U.S. construction spending to be down -2.3% in 2007 versus +5.3% last year. Total residential investment will decline -16.7% in 2007 as housing starts will fall -23.9% this year. Non-residential building put-in-place investment is now expected to increase +16.6% in 2007 while non-building (heavy engineering) work will grow +12.1%. RCD’s outlook for 2008 total construction spending now stands at +4.2%.
U.S. Construction Forecast Tables — Issued November 2007
Based on job-site activity levels through September 2007, Reed Construction Data now expects total U.S. construction spending to be down -2.2% in 2007 versus +5.3% last year. Total residential investment will decline -16.4% in 2007 as housing starts will fall -23.8% this year. Non-residential building put-in-place investment is now expected to increase +16.3% in 2007 while non-building (heavy engineering) work will grow +11.9%. RCD’s outlook for 2008 total construction spending now stands at +5.7%.
U.S. Employment Growth Now +1.1% vs Peak Level of +2.1%
The pace of U.S. jobs growth slowed to +1.1% year over year in November, 2007 from +1.2% in the previous month. Employment growth has been edging down for more than a year-and-a-half, ever since the peak level of +2.1% was achieved in March 2006. Two sectors are in negative territory; two are between 0.0% and +1.1%; three are near the national average; and a further three are continuing to provide strong job growth.
U.S. Retail Sales Unspectacular but Solid in September
For those concerned about the state of the U.S. economy, the September retail sales figures offered some reassurance. In the latest month, total U.S. retail sales increased +5.0% on a year-over-year basis. This is exactly in line with the desirable long-term growth rate. However, beyond consumer confidence, there are three other effects that will impact on retail sales in the months ahead. These relate to the lower-valued U.S. dollar, housing markets and wealth assessment.
U.S. Warehouse Construction Steady at a High Level
The warehouse construction market in the U.S. is steady at a high level. New supply is keeping pace with demand for new space and, therefore, rental rates are rising at a 3.5% pace, slightly faster than overall inflation. The national vacancy rate is steady at just over the 8.5% long-term average. Warehouse construction spending, after inflation, will be steady to slightly higher in the next two years and will be concentrated in a small number of major distribution centers (i.e., serving ocean ports) and in population centers.
Use of Windows, Skylights and Light Pipes in Daylighting
A review of product options available for daylighting
USGBC Tightens LEED Energy Requirement
The U.S. Green Building Council has stiffened the energy-performance requirements for buildings seeking LEED certification
Using Plants to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Research has shown that indoor plants increase oxygen and humidity, and absorb off-gassed chemicals such as carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde
