The business environment has improved markedly since December 2009, according to electrical equipment manufacturers polled in NEMA’s most recent business confidence survey. The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions rose sharply in March 2010 for a third straight month, increasing 7.2 points to 71.7–its highest level since May 2004. Nonetheless, though [...]
Construction + Economy
February 2010 Construction at $846.2 Billion Annual Rate
Construction spending during February 2010 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $846.2 billion, 1.3% lower than the revised January 2010 estimate of $857.8 billion and 12.8% below the February 2009 estimate of $970.4 billion, according to new Commerce Department figures. (Note these are estimates and subject to change over the next several [...]
Construction + Economy, Energy + Environment
ASHRAE Launches Pilot Building Energy Labeling Program
A new program to inform building owners and operators, tenants and prospective buyers on the energy use of buildings, similar to a nutrition label on food or miles per gallon ratings on cars, has recently been launched to encourage the building industry to find ways to cut energy use and costs. The Building Energy Quotient [...]
AIA Reports Modest Rebound in Architecture Billings Index
Following a drop of nearly three points, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) nudged up almost two points in February. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the February ABI rating was [...]
Kunstler on Suburbia: America Has Become a Nation of Places Not Worth Caring About
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January 2010 Construction at $884.1 Billion Annual Rate
Construction spending during January 2010 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $884.1 billion, 0.6% lower than the revised December 2009 estimate of $889.6 billion and 9.3% below the January 2009 estimate of $974.3 billion, according to new Commerce Department figures. (Note these are estimates and subject to change over the next several [...]
AIA Reports Decline in January’s Architectural Billings Index
Beginning its third year of negative conditions, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) had a drop of almost three points in January. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the January ABI [...]
Codes + Standards, Construction + Economy, Controls, Energy + Environment
ASHRAE 189.1 the First Green Construction Standard to Enter National Code Stage
A new standard for the design of high-performance green buildings is set to revolutionize the building industry. Published by ASHRAE in conjunction with IES and the U.S. Green Building Council, Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the first code-intended commercial green building standard in the United [...]
Construction Spending Declined 12.4% in 2009
Construction spending during December 2009 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $939.1 billion, 1.2% lower than the revised November 2009 estimate of $913.2 billion and 9.9% below the December 2008 estimate of a little over $1 trillion. Construction spending amounted to $939.1 billion for the year 2009, 12.4% below the $1.0721 billion [...]
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