Put a (Roof) Coat On—It Is Hot Out There
EnKoat, a startup backed by Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) and Galvanize Real Estate, applied its dual‑function IntelliKoat roof coating to a 60,000‑sq‑ft warehouse in Pedricktown, New Jersey. The coating acts as a thermal barrier and weather shield, aiming to lower interior temperatures, reduce energy use, and extend roof life. A prior field test on a 110,000‑sq‑ft Texas data center showed interior temperatures fell from 140 °F to 86 °F, eliminating heat‑related equipment failures. The $200,000 IN2 grant funds data collection and validation to accelerate market adoption.
France Moved First, But Markets Everywhere Are Signaling Electrification
France announced a sweeping electrification program, raising state support from €5.5 bn ($5.9 bn) to €10 bn ($10.8 bn) through 2030. The plan bans gas heating in new buildings from 2026, phases out gas in 2 m social‑housing units by 2050, targets 1 m domestic heat‑pump...
A Tale of Four Cities on Infill, Emissions, & Political Nerve
Four North American cities are grappling with infill housing as a climate tool. Calgary launched a citywide rezoning that allowed duplexes and townhouses, only to repeal it in 2026 after political pushback. Edmonton adopted a permissive, tiered zoning framework in...
Armstrong Templok Shows Potential For Thermal Energy Storage With Phase Change Materials
Armstrong introduced Templok ceiling tiles that embed a salt‑based phase‑change material (PCM) within a thin polymer pouch, turning ordinary acoustic panels into passive thermal storage units. Each tile provides the equivalent thermal mass of roughly eleven bricks and can absorb...
Oregon Adopts New Building Codes to Reduce Energy Costs and Increase Energy Efficiency in Newly Constructed Homes
Oregon's Residential and Manufactured Structures Board approved updates to the state residential energy code, requiring new homes to install energy‑efficient heat pumps instead of traditional ducted air‑conditioning. The code change is projected to save homeowners about $125 per month, or...