RIGHT NOW we need to make unprecedented changes to ensure a sustainable and equitable society. This requires rapid and far-reaching transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport and cities. We encourage organizations to grow sustainably and act responsibly by raising awareness for clear, specific solutions that offer an efficient use of natural resources, demonstrate social responsibility and foster a peaceful, earth-friendly economy.
AS A SOCIETY we’re more likely to act on environmental, social, and governance solutions when knowledge is shared. That is, when every member knows the same information—and knows that every other member shares that knowledge, too. A viral argument becomes common knowledge, and common knowledge becomes action. Eneref Campaigns bring about that positive tipping point by creating the dynamic of common knowledge and the perceived social pressure to act responsibly. We’ll ignite a movement so that you can lead others.
PR FOR PLANET EARTH
Learn How Our Collaborative Contributors Are Driving Change
Eneref works with organizations that take action to grow responsibly. Read more about what our collaborative contributors do to implement responsible solutions and promote an earth-friendly economy.
ENEREF REPORT >> UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
USC Facility is Built to Mitigate Climate Change
Eneref Institute worked with USC, as part of our Code For Climate campaign, to demonstrate how Professor Mazmanian’s theory to integrate our climate future into today’s building codes led the university to build with the future of climate change in mind.
In a major paper, USC Professor Daniel Mazmanian urgently warns that our built environment is not prepared for the rapidly changing climate. As such, the University of Southern California built Fertitta Hall under the most rigorous specifications — incorporating designs to mitigate extreme weather events locally, while integrating technologies to reduce the likelihood of those weather events globally. Professor Mazmanian leads the university’s sustainability group.
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ENEREF REPORT >> NEW YORK DEPT OF EDUCATION
New York City School Reduces Viral Exposure
Eneref Institute worked with the New York City Department of Education, as part of our Wellness-Friendly School campaign, to demonstrate how MERV-13 filtration installed in NYC schools’ through-the-wall window air conditioners protects students’ health.
John Shea, the Chief Executive Officer for Division of School Facilities (DSF), directed custodian engineers to install MERV-13 as replacements for existing air conditioner filters. MERV-13 filters have been shown to reduce students’ risk of viral airborne transmission and protect students from contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus because the filter is significantly more efficient at capturing the virus than more commonly used air conditioning filters.
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ENEREF REPORT >> ATLANTA HOUSING AUTHORITY
AHA Reduces Costs and Emissions for Low-Income Housing
Eneref Institute worked with Atlanta Housing Authority as part of our Cool Room, Cool Earth campaign demonstrate how tenants could enjoy more comfortable living spaces while reducing their energy use. The AHA provides affordable housing for over 20,000 low-income households.
The AHA building in Midtown Atlanta was among the first of its kind to incorporate an innovative air conditioning technology that could be used to reduce carbon emissions in high-rise buildings throughout the United States. Carbon emissions from air conditioning are a major factor in increasing global climate change. The air conditioners provided the residents with more consistent cooling comfort and was a wise energy-reducing investment for the AHA.
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ENEREF REPORT >> CHARLESTON LIBRARY SOCIETY
Charleston Library Prepares for 100 Years of Weather
Eneref Institute worked with Charleston Library Society as part of our Code For Climate campaign to demonstrate the value of specifying above-code construction to protect buildings from climate change. Charleston Library Society is a historic landmark and is the oldest free circulating library in the United States.
A conflict between the Charleston Library Society design team and the city’s preservation review board help up the project timeline. Whereas the review board prioritized for historical preservation, the design team prioritized the structural integrity of the building. In the end, the general contractor felt that they, “protected the library for another hundred, two hundred years.
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ENEREF REPORT >> SUBARU AUTOMOBILE OF AMERICA
Subaru Uses Sunlight to Protect Our Planet
Eneref Institute worked with Subaru as part of our Right To Daylight campaign to demonstrate how their use of natural interior daylight enhanced a work environment while saving energy. Subaru is committed to making meaningful progress to protect our planet and all those who inhabit it.
In their press release, Subaru of America proudly announced they were recognized for achievements in sustainability by Eneref Institute. One dealership is featured for using zero-net-energy natural interior daylight skylights to enhance the customers’ showroom experience. The Eneref report explains that this not only benefits the retailer’s customers with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, but the skylights also protect the environment by minimizing energy consumption.
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ENEREF REPORT >> PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH
Florida Foundation Protects Heritage and Planet
As part of our Code For Climate campaign Eneref Institute published a report to demonstrate how the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach protects and celebrates the architectural heritage of Palm Beach with an eye on the environment.
That heritage, originally set by architects like Addison Mizner and John Volk, is now being echoed nearly a century later by Lillian Fernandez Interiors and other leading design firms. Fernandez’s team has set a pivotal and fresh standard for Palm Beach residences, focusing not just on reflecting the area’s famously relaxed aesthetic but also on sustainable, earth-friendly design.
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ENEREF REPORT >> EMORY UNIVERSITY
Emory University Dormitory Reduces Energy Load
As part of the Cool Room, Cool Earth campaign Eneref Institute worked with Emory University in Atlanta to announce reductions in dormitory energy use. The Office of Sustainability Initiatives guides Emory University’s efforts to meet the challenges of sustainability.
Emory University is the first campus in the United States to install a new energy-saving air conditioning technology in a dormitory. The energy-efficient system is also unique in the way in which it circulates fresh air into each dorm room. Proper ventilation is critical to comfort and humidity control, as well as reducing risks from toxins and microorganisms.
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ENEREF REPORT >> VOLVO TRUCKS CORPORATION
Volvo Factory Improves Worker Experience
Eneref Institute worked with Volvo Trucks to demonstrate how Volvo has taken a leading role in demonstrating the benefits of natural interior daylight at their largest facility, where all Volvo Trucks for North America are assembled.
Volvo’s energy reduction success began with a comprehensive plan to implement multiple energy reduction strategies, including the installation of heat-reflective white roofing and extensive use of natural interior daylight (NID) with rooftop skylights. As part of the Right To Daylight campaign, Eneref Institute reported on the use of energy-reducing skylights in their plant. At the time of the report, the New River Valley plant’s plan reduced its energy use per unit, or truck manufactured, by 29.6%—surpassing the ten-year goal within the first year.
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ENEREF REPORT >> SOUTHWEST GAS UTILITY CORPORATION
Salvation Army Shelter Gets Boost From Southwest Gas
Eneref Institute worked with Southwest Gas power utility company to increase participation in their Smarter Greener Better® solar rebate program. SWGas provides energy to 2 million customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California.
Because of the rebate program, the Salvation Army was able to install a technology that uses the sun’s thermal energy to heat their water. With an abundance of sunshine in Las Vegas, this generates quite a savings for the homeless residence that houses and showers 600 people each night. The rebate for the approved Salvation Army solar thermal installation offered by Southwest Gas covered half the cost of the installation.
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ENEREF REPORT >> CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Cornell Improves Student Performance and Cuts Energy
As part of the Right To Daylight campaign, Eneref Institute worked with Cornell University School of Architecture to highlight one of the most iconic college structures in the United States, the 19th-century Sibley Hall dome and the colleges commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
In a video, leading architects discuss the Eneref Right To Daylight campaign and the importance of adding natural interior daylight to the celebrated Sibley Hall campus building that houses one of the world’s most prestigious architecture programs. The challenge was how to sustainably modernize in line with the college’s goals of co-locating faculty offices adjacent to student’s studios and creating a collaborative, multi-use space; maintain the integrity of the designated historic building; and satisfy the discriminating needs of the Cornell AAP architecture faculty.
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PR FOR PLANET EARTH
Eneref Reports
Research & Advocacy Organization for Socially Responsible Sustainable Development.
An Eneref Report™ is designed to help people understand the importance of environmental, social, and governance issues by focusing on individual stories. The story of a single occurrence garners a better understanding than a million similar occurrence — which is only seen as a statistic. Eneref Intelligence Reports are designed as criteria for evaluation.
Eneref Institute examines how a polished concrete floor builds sales for food manufacturer Melitta coffee.
“Our polished concrete floor helps us in more scenarios than we probably realize with additional bus...
Eneref Institute examines how natural interior daylight increases office productivity.
“The first time that I walked in and saw the light, I loved it. It was so refreshing. I felt good im...
Eneref Institute examines the benefits of ventilating air conditioners in a dormitory.
“In terms of avoiding the transfer between spaces, you can’t do better than PTAC. It’s just a zone u...
Eneref Institute examines how a luxury home focused on sustainability and structural integrity.
“Everywhere you are in the house, you’re just one window or one view away from the exterior.”
Eneref Institute examines the benefits of VRF air conditioners in multi-family homes.
“I love how quick the air conditioner works. You just turn it on and it cools or warms the place inm...
Eneref Institute examines how tubular daylight devices brought modern features to a 19th-century building design.
“Even at night, you can see the moonlight coming through them… like the lights are on.”
Eneref Institute examines polished concrete flooring in retail spaces as a sustainable and appealing option.
“Wood flooring can expand and contract, affecting durability and surface quality,” said Gary Staso,...
Eneref Institute examines the window specification decisions for a major university.
“The beauty of working with universities like USC is they want long-term, maintenance- free building...
Eneref Institute examines how a polished concrete floor reduces maintenance costs for a performing arts school.
“It’s an all-around perfect fit for any school.”
Eneref Institute examines how a warehouse space managed by CBRE installed an innovative daylighting system.
“Optically, the Velux Dynamic Dome has a combination of good materials that diffuses the light with...
Eneref Institute examines the benefits of lighting controls with natural interior daylight in classrooms.
“It really brought the daylight and the outside into the middle of the facility. It brought the scho...
Eneref Institute examines how the number of patrons using the library increases with the installation of skylights.
“Having beautiful spaces was really important and a large part of that was having daylight available...
Eneref Institute examines how solar powered venting skylights bring in fresh air and reduce the HVAC load.
“It’s worth getting solar-powered skylights for the rebate alone.”
Eneref Institute examines how a thrift shop employed color-shifted daylighting to enhance their office
“In a retrofit project, tubular devices just make sense. They work, and they get you natural light.”
Architects Choose Modular Glass Skylights For Cornell University
“It’s a really well built, well detailed, high thermal performance skylight. It’s super cost-afforda...
Daylight in Volvo Truck Plant
“We call it the ‘wow’ factor. With the skylights, people just have an uplifted feeling, they want to...
Daylight in Volvo Truck Plant
“We call it the ‘wow’ factor. With the skylights, people just have an uplifted feeling, they want to...
Architects Choose Modular Glass Skylights For Cornell University
“It’s a really well built, well detailed, high thermal performance skylight. It’s super cost-afforda...
Eneref Institute examines how a thrift shop employed color-shifted daylighting to enhance their office
“In a retrofit project, tubular devices just make sense. They work, and they get you natural light.”
Eneref Institute examines how solar powered venting skylights bring in fresh air and reduce the HVAC load.
“It’s worth getting solar-powered skylights for the rebate alone.”
Eneref Institute examines how the number of patrons using the library increases with the installation of skylights.
“Having beautiful spaces was really important and a large part of that was having daylight available...
Eneref Institute examines the benefits of lighting controls with natural interior daylight in classrooms.
“It really brought the daylight and the outside into the middle of the facility. It brought the scho...
Eneref Institute examines how a warehouse space managed by CBRE installed an innovative daylighting system.
“Optically, the Velux Dynamic Dome has a combination of good materials that diffuses the light with...
Eneref Institute examines how a polished concrete floor reduces maintenance costs for a performing arts school.
“It’s an all-around perfect fit for any school.”
Eneref Institute examines the window specification decisions for a major university.
“The beauty of working with universities like USC is they want long-term, maintenance- free building...
Eneref Institute examines polished concrete flooring in retail spaces as a sustainable and appealing option.
“Wood flooring can expand and contract, affecting durability and surface quality,” said Gary Staso,...
Eneref Institute examines how tubular daylight devices brought modern features to a 19th-century building design.
“Even at night, you can see the moonlight coming through them… like the lights are on.”
Eneref Institute examines the benefits of VRF air conditioners in multi-family homes.
“I love how quick the air conditioner works. You just turn it on and it cools or warms the place inm...
Eneref Institute examines how a luxury home focused on sustainability and structural integrity.
“Everywhere you are in the house, you’re just one window or one view away from the exterior.”
Eneref Institute examines the benefits of ventilating air conditioners in a dormitory.
“In terms of avoiding the transfer between spaces, you can’t do better than PTAC. It’s just a zone u...
Eneref Institute examines how natural interior daylight increases office productivity.
“The first time that I walked in and saw the light, I loved it. It was so refreshing. I felt good im...
Eneref Institute examines how a polished concrete floor builds sales for food manufacturer Melitta coffee.
“Our polished concrete floor helps us in more scenarios than we probably realize with additional bus...
Eneref Institute examines the window specification decisions for the oldest US public library.
“We protected the library for another hundred, two hundred years.”Reports by Methodology
Our rigorously-researched white paper market reports are components of an Eneref Institute initiative and are targeted to people who can most effect change. Research is accomplished by exploring the economic, social and environmental benefits of advances in sustainable development within various market sectors. We gather and evaluate data from individual case studies; interviewing qualified and quality stakeholders within the sales channel, from manufacturer to end user.
The reports aim to contribute to market transparency through a comprehensive analysis of the recent trends and future prospects.
Every organization must harness their capacity to improve our planet and society. Right now, we need to make unprecedented changes to ensure a sustainable and equitable society.
Limiting global warming requires rapid and far-reaching transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport and cities. Every extra bit of warming matters to reduce irreversible harm to our ecosystems. We encourage organizations to grow sustainably and act responsibly by raising awareness for clear, specific solutions that offer an efficient use of natural resources, demonstrate social responsibility and foster a peaceful, earth-friendly economy.
Eneref Institute case study reports look at the successful implementation of socially beneficial sustainable development as testimonials that demonstrate the success and benefits of workable solutions.
Eneref evidence-based case studies are often republished in formal research venues and popular trade media. Our research strategy uses empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon within its real-life context, based on any mix of quantitative and qualitative evidence.
Reports by Application
Eneref Energy Initiative Reports
People need light for their health and well-being. Light meets both visual and non-visual needs – and understanding this interaction has opened up a new realm of applications. These insights help lighting designers develop solutions that are targeted at enhancing vision, well-being, and performance by applying an in-depth knowledge of science and user needs.
Eneref Land Initiative Reports
Sustainable flooring is produced from sustainable materials that reduce demands on the ecosystem during its life-cycle, or by sustainable processes. This includes harvest, production, use, and disposal. Sustainable floors create safer and healthier homes and buildings and protect natural resources.
Eneref Building Initiative Reports
Sustainable roofs can both save and produce energy, capture rooftop stormwater, and improve use and reuse of roofing materials.
Roof insulation will minimize building heating and cooling requirements. Rooftop vegetation can minimize the impact on local ecology. Solar panels supplement building power, while solar tubes heat the water. Stormwaters system can provide irrigation for the building site. Skylights offer human-centric net-zero lighting.
Eneref Industry Initiative Reports
Innovative HVACR strategy pairs traditional heating and cooling with energy-efficient air movement to permit a substantial offset of necessary HVACR capacity while improving air quality by ensuring fresh air reaches the occupant breathing zone. With a reduction in energy consumption, end-users can raise the thermostat setpoint without sacrificing comfort.
Eneref Transport Initiative Reports
A CloudCommuter works near their home via the internet to reduce their commute and their carbon footprint. Today many of us no longer need to commute into the office every day in order to effectively do our jobs. Fewer commutes will help mitigate climate change. And since today’s technologies allow for meetings with anyone anywhere, its time we ask ourselves why so many people suffer the drudgery of commuting to work unnecessarily.
Eneref Videos
Eneref Cool Room Cool Earth Campaign Trailer
More Efficient Air Conditioners Can Help Reduce Global Warming. Air conditioners are the fastest-growing energy demand in homes and buildings, adding millions of tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait to make changes.
Eneref “Net Zero Ready” Campaign Trailer
The Net Zero Ready campaign advocates the maximization of communities’ energy efficiency through the implementation of technology.
Teachers Preferred Natural Daylight Inside PA Elementary School Video
Wilson Elementary is a public school in the West Allegheny School District near Pittsburgh, PA. When engineering firm Thomas & Williamson distributed a survey to school staff, they came back with notable findings.
Architects Choose Modular Glass Skylights for Cornell University Video
As one of the most iconic college structures in the United States, the 19th-century Sibley Hall dome has been a visual reference point on the Cornell University campus for 122 years.
Innovative Commercial Skylights Installed by Global 500 Realtor
As the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, CBRE plays an important leadership role in determining industry best practices within the 5 billion square feet of building facility space they manage.
Polished Concrete Floor at Melitta Coffee Company
“Our polished concrete floor helps us in more scenarios than we probably realize with additional business. It presents this plant well. We’ve had wonderful, wonderful feedback,” — Vinny Tagliaferro, Manager of Melitta’s Cherry Hill plant.
Municipality Brings Natural Light Into New Ashburn Va Firehouse Video
"During daylight hours, the electric lights can be turned off in most areas. Even at night, you can see the moonlight coming through them… like the lights are on,” explained Mike Bromley, the contractor of Chamberlain Construction Corporation.
Roofing Project Drives Natural Daylight Into Volvo Truck Plant Video
“As the sun comes up and hits the skylights, the LED lights begin to shut off —they’re no longer needed,” said Mike Kijak, Facilities and Energy Manager of Volvo Trucks North America. “You conserve more energy as the sun comes more directly overhead.”
Roofing Repair Program Brings Natural Light Into Massachusetts School Video
“If you were in the school interior, you couldn’t even see that the skylights were up there," said Phillip Williams, Energy Manager, Town of Ashland. "I’m always in favor of using natural light when you can.”
Water and Women Film Trailer
Girls, below the age of 15 years are twice as likely as boys of the same age, to have collecting water as their main household responsibility. In 12% of households children harbor the primary responsibility for collecting the water.
Lighting Project Brings Natural Daylight Into Karndean Warehouse
Karndean is an international vinyl tile flooring manufacturer with their US headquarters and warehouse near Pittsburgh, PA. In this facility, the company has moved aggressively toward environmental stewardship and social responsibility.