Join us for the Smart Buildings Exchange 2026!

Smart Buildings Center

Energy Efficiency Innovation Center, Tool Library & Data Visualization

  • About
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact
    • Donate
  • Partners
    • Partner Benefits
  • Tool Library
    • Browse Inventory
    • Case Studies
    • Lending Library Policy
    • Customer Agreement
    • Tool Resources
  • Use Our Space
    • Training/Event Space
    • Large Conference Room
  • Training
    • Building Operator Certification
    • Remote Learning Calendar
    • Remote Learning Library
    • Qualified Energy Manager Training
  • Resources
    • Clean Buildings Performance Standard Helpdesk
    • Building Efficiency and CLean Operations Network (BEACON) Fellow Project
    • K-12 Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality Resources
  • Compliance
    • WA State Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS)
    • City of Seattle Benchmarking Helpdesk
  • Events
    • SBX Conference
  • Blog

ACEEE Annual City Energy Efficiency Scorecard Released – Seattle and Portland among the top 5!

June 21, 2017 By SBC

ACEEE has released their 2017 City Energy Efficiency Scorecard for 51 cities across the U.S. The scorecard measures the progress of city policies and programs that save energy while benefiting the environment and promoting economic growth.Ā  The top 5 performers were Boston, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Portland.

NEEC and the Smart Buildings Center provide the technical support for the City of Seattle Energy Benchmarking program – one of the city policies that are recognized as a best practice in energy efficiency measures for cities across the country. Other areas that are assessed in the Scorecard are local government operations, community-wide initiatives, buildings, energy and water utilities, and transportation.

For the full report and to see most improved cities since the last report, click HERE.

Filed Under: SBC News Tagged With: aceee, city policy, energy efficiency, scorecard

NEEC Power Hour – June 22nd, 2017

June 7, 2017 By SBC

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) invites you toĀ attendĀ theĀ upcomingĀ NEEC Power HourĀ at the Smart Buildings Center.Ā Ā These informal after work get togethers, hosted by NEEC several times a year, will feature drinks and light refreshments combined with networking opportunities amongst peers and to hear featured guests bringing news and insights affecting the industry.Ā  Join us and hear about the many benefits of being a NEEC member.

Click here to register.

Filed Under: Featured Event, SBC News Tagged With: neec events, networking, power hour

Is Cottonwood Seed Clogging Your Air Filters?

June 7, 2017 By SBC

Cottonwood trees are in full bloom in May and June. Their cottony seeds can clog air filters in a few short days. If you live in an area of the country with Cottonwood trees, it’s advisable to check your building’s air filters during this time. Cottonwood seed is a major contributor of cooling equipment fouling. This naturally occurring airborne contaminant (generated by the Poplar Tree) usually affects operations from May thru early August, hence, companies that rely upon process cooling must clean their equipment frequently during this period or risk failure.

Brought to you by BOCĀ® – Building Operator Certification
Energy Efficiency through Operator Training
www.theBOC.info

Want to get more energy savings tips?Ā  Sign up for the BOC blog HERE.

Filed Under: SBC News Tagged With: BOC, Energy Saving Tips, training

Lamp Replacement Recommendation

June 7, 2017 By SBC

Low-wattage T8s Help Facility Staff Reduce Energy Consumption and Save Money

Lighting represents a significant portion of energy consumption in commercial and industrial buildings. In buildings with linear fluorescent lamps that aren’t yet ready to convert to LEDs, low wattage T8s are an excellent option to decrease building lighting costs.

Low wattage T8 lamps, which are available in 28 and 25 watt versions, offer an immediate, easy and cost-effective way to reduce energy usage for customers without sacrificing light quality.

Here’s an overview of their benefits:

  • Reduced Lifetime Costs: Low wattage T8s are comparably priced to 32 watt T8 lamps, and reduce lifetime costs by up to 23%
  • Significant Energy Savings: Low wattage T8s are up to 20% more efficient than 32 watt T8s
  • Light Quality: Most people are unable to detect any difference in light quality when replacing 32 watt T8 lamps with low wattage versions
  • Easy Installation: Low wattage T8 lamps are often compatible with existing ballasts, making them instant replacement options that can sit side-by-side with 32 watt T8 lamps
  • Longer Life: These energy-efficient lamps now have lifetimes up to 84,000 hours
  • Less Maintenance: Expect up to 50% fewer trips up the ladder for your maintenance staff
Hillsboro School District’s administration services building in Hillsboro, Ore., where staff switched from 32 watt T8 lamps to 28 watt versions to improve light quality and save more than $5,000 in annual operations and maintenance costs.

Many commercial facilities across the region have benefited from replacing their 32 watt T8 lamps with low wattage versions. Renton, Wash. based lighting supplier Capital Lighting has recommended low wattage T8 lamps for its customers since 2011, helping its customers save money and energy when they re-lamp. One Seattle high-rise saved an estimated $24,000 in annual utility costs by replacing 16,000 32 watt T8 lamps with 25 watt versions and low ballast factor electronic ballasts.

To learn more about low wattage T8 lamps and how they can help save energy and money in your building, contact your local electrical distributor or visit http://www.lowwattt8.com/

About the Northwest Lighting Network:

Developed in partnership with regional utilities and their trade ally networks, the Northwest Lighting Network provides a central hub of resources for lighting contractors that helps to streamline and make energy-efficient lighting more accessible.

Filed Under: SBC News Tagged With: low wattage, save energy, T8s

Job Opportunity with Seattle School District

May 25, 2017 By SBC

Resource Conservation Specialist for Seattle Public Schools

The Seattle School District is hiring a full-time Resource Conservation Specialist to manage the District’s Natural Resources Conservation program, policy, and procedures related to energy, water, and waste conservation. Areas of responsibility include utility cost and usage, internal and public information materials, funding opportunities, and marketing conservation techniques. This position is one of a team of three Resource Conservation Specialists.

Click here for the job listing and to apply.

Filed Under: SBC News Tagged With: job, RCM, resource conservation manager

Spark Tool Webinar – June 14, 2017

May 25, 2017 By SBC

JOIN BETTERBRICKS AND THE SMART BUILDINGS CENTER FOR AN EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR

ABOUT

Join us to learn about the building renewal strategy and how to use the Spark Tool to assess if your building is ready for a deep energy retrofit.

The webinar will focus on how to leverage Spark’s integrated technical and financial reports to communicate the business case for building renewal projects. The webinar will include an overview of the building renewal strategy, a live demonstration of the Spark Tool, and a look at the customized integrated measure packages the Tool can create.

SPARK

Spark, a free, interactive online tool, can help you determine if your commercial building is a good candidate for a deep energy retrofit. This early assessment tool produces a report with estimated energy savings and real estate returns, and suggested measures and next steps. Watch this short video to learn how Spark can reposition a building.

BUILDING RENEWAL

Building renewal is a real estate strategy to modernize a building and improve its competitive position by focusing on comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades resulting in 35% or more of a building’s energy use and costs.

EARN BUILDING OPERATOR CERTIFCATION POINTS

This Spark webinar provides 1 maintenance point towards renewal of the BOCĀ® credential.

REGISTER

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7086585918184273666

In preparation for this webinar, we encourage you to create an account on Spark and familiarize yourself with the tool.

DATE AND SCHEDULE

Wednesday, June 14, 2017:Ā 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Filed Under: SBC News

Posts pagination

Previous Page 1 … Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 … Page 43 Next

Help fund our Education Program

DONATE TODAY

Sign up for updates

Join the Smart Buildings Center mailing list for information about events and smart buildings news.

Your email has been added to the Smart Buildings Center mailing list for information about events and smart building news.

News & Articles

BOC Operator of the Year 2026 Nominations Close This Friday!

June 9, 2026

City of Tacoma Job Opportunity – Customer Energy Solutions Portfolio Planner

June 4, 2026

Help Shape the Conversation at SBX 2026!

May 25, 2026

OSE: 2026 Building Decarbonization Grants

May 21, 2026

Still Time to Register for Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Training 2026

May 14, 2026

Contact Us

Smart Buildings Center
Pacific Tower
1200 12th Ave. S., Suite 110
Seattle, WA 98144

206-538-0832

[email protected]

Smart Buildings Center is a project collaboration with Building Potential

        

Smart Buildings Center · Pacific Tower, 1200 12th Ave. S., Suite 110, Seattle, WA 98144 · 206-538-0832

© 2026 · Northwest Energy Efficiency Council