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Controlling Heat Transfer in Green Buildings
Heat travels in and out of buildings in three ways: radiation, convection, and conduction, all of which must be addressed to reduce unwanted heat transfer effectively.
Cooling Load Advoidance
Designing a building to avoid solar heating can significantly reduce energy use.
Core Inflation Still Under Wraps in Both Canada and U.S.
The level of general price inflation in the U.S. jumped up to +3.5% year over year in October 2007, from +2.8% the month before. In Canada, the Consumer Price Index dropped slightly to +2.4% in the latest month versus +2.5% in the previous month. The U.S. is more vulnerable to inflationary pressures at this time than Canada for several reasons having to do with currency movements and import prices, interest rate policies to stimulate growth and the coming reduction in Canada’s Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Cost Considerations in Building Deconstruction
According to a growing collection of case studies, deconstruction is producing cost savings in projects throughout the U.S., often averaging 30% to 50% less overall than demolition costs.
Cost Increases Easing Except for Nonresidential Labor
Construction costs have weakened quickly in the last few months under pressure from the 10% drop in construction activity since the February 2006 peak level. The 40% drop in single family construction spending has more than offset still rising nonresidential construction spending. Residential labor rates and margins and prices for materials heavily used in residential construction have fallen significantly but labor rates and margins for nonresidential buildings and heavy projects have yet to weaken although some modest weakening is expected in the next year.
Dallas-Fort Worth’s Economy has Plenty of Energy heading into 2008
Over the past year, the volume of residential construction in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has fallen by a breathtaking -28% versus -24% for the country as a whole. However, employment in the economic region increased by +2.2% year over year in October 2007, the fourth strongest rate of job growth among the 25 largest metro areas in the country. Population in the metro area is growing twice as fast as in the rest of the country and Dallas-Fort Worth has a strong strategic location in energy-rich Texas.
Daylighting Controls
Controls are required to realize the energy and cost savings of daylighting by dimming or switching off the artificial lighting
Decline in Equipment Shipments in Latest Month Restrains Prices
The construction equipment market remains stalled, with shipments off 30% from the 2005 to 2006 peak and pricing struggling to keep up with higher steel, labor and import costs. Export sales are up 36% in the last year, boosted by a weaker U.S. dollar and booming construction markets overseas. No significant change in market conditions is expected into the winter. Then, a gradual rise in shipments and slightly stronger pricing is expected for the rest of 2008 and 2009.
Declining U.S. Dollar Boosts Construction in the Farm States
The mix of construction demand is being progressively altered by the 31% trade-weighted decline in the exchange value of the U.S. dollar since early 2002. As exports soar and import growth weakens, local economies that are dominated by commodity production and manufacturing are being boosted, with construction demand rising faster than elsewhere in the country. The economic boost from trade has picked up sharply in recent quarters and should continue into next year.
Denver may be a Mile High, But its Economy is based on a Solid Foundation
The Denver economy has lost momentum over the past year, primarily due to weakness in goods production. However, the services sector is continuing to exhibit solid growth. Denver is about to be thrust into the national spotlight by the Democratic National Convention next August. As for the construction outlook, Denver has a pattern of strong population growth that will help depressed housing markets. Also, with office vacancy rates at six-year lows and office rents up, commercial work will increase.
