Rick Barnett

Rick Barnett is the CEO of Green Builder (1996), a retired retrofit contractor, and was a key figure in the early `80’s expansion of the Oregon waste hauling industry’s recycling programs. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and an Interdisciplinary Master’s in Environmental Management from Oregon State University.

thermal leakage

Climate Math

Community leaders everywhere can encourage building contractors to engage energy suppliers about measurable demand reduction, and the potential for new local jobs.

November 9, 2021

Energy Asset

A new possibility for near-term abatement involves heat/cool energy, the only type of consumption that’s unaffected by growing demand for electronic technology. In addition to cutting carbon, less air conditioning also cuts the use of chlorinated refrigerants.

March 26, 2018

Thermal Optimization: A Private Sector Program for Energy Efficiency in Existing Residential Buildings

Global concern about escalating atmospheric carbon is closely connected to the continued dominance of carbon-based energy.  According to the International Energy Agency (2015), coal, oil and natural gas account for 82% of the world’s growing energy use, while renewable energy (geothermal, solar, and wind combined) provides only 1%.  “100% renewables” is very futuristic.

September 21, 2017