DOE

The term has been a buzz word in my circle for quite a long while now.

And to some extent, I think it may have meant many things to many different people, depending on your role or function in the bigger game of conducting our affairs in and around buildings.

For example, someone not long ago suggested they had done something under the "sustainable" program in switching foam coffee cups out for a more environmentally friendly option. She was right. Maybe not so much at the local steakhouse, but once in awhile.

(A friend, KellyJo blogged about sustainable beef not long ago)

The term gets tossed around fairly like loose change amongst us building types, be it architects, engineers, building owners, folks in the energy biz, or skilled trades have all heard it in numerous trade journals, seminars, at the supply houses, and on the street.

In the building design, construction, and operations gig we are typically talking about energy related matters - often renewable such as solar or wind being part of the discussion. Other technologies to save energy are related to the conversation such as capturing waste heat, operational dynamics such as thermostat set back and lighting controls, and even precooling the thermal mass at night when energy is cheap (AKA load shifting), managing water resources, even such things as appliances, computers, printers, copiers and other plugged in type of loads.