Around the Web: Energy Circle's Hand-Picked Links, Chosen Especially for Energy Efficiency Pros.

*As last week was officially vacation week at Energy Circle (we're based in Maine, summer's short), we've conglomerated the best curated links from the past two weeks into one long post this week. Hope you enjoy: 

U.K. to Require Energy Efficiency Ratings for All Home Sales.

New legislation requires that energy efficiency ratings will be compulsory for all homes that go up for sale, signaling a shift toward greater awareness of energy efficiency within the real estate market. This is on our radar because the U.K. has a history of being ahead of the curve (think representative government, Jimi Hendrix, etc.) (From The Guardian)

Weatherization Programs to Include Funding for Renewables, Energy Monitoring and Appliances.

The Department of Energy has received an additional $90 million to finance installation of solar PVs, energy efficient appliance and home energy monitors. (From CNET)

Americans Clueless When it Comes to Saving Energy.

A recent study by researchers at Columbia, Ohio State and Carnegie Mellon Universities found that Americans are far more likely to think that small steps, like turning off light bulbs, are the most effective ways to save energy, while neglecting more important measures like... you guessed it, insulation and air sealing. (From the New York Times)

New National Residential Retrofit Guidelines.

Through the voluntary National Residential Retrofit Guidelines (NRRG), the DOE aims to standardize home performance improvements for single family dwellings. Sean at SLS Construction discusses. (From SLS Construction)

Ten Green Building Myths.

Martin Holladay dissembles ten widely accepted myths about green building, including the ideas that walls need to breathe, and that green building is good for the environment. (From Green Building Advisor)

Slides from the DOE’s NRRG Webinar.

Slides from the Department of Energy’s recent webinar on the proposed National Residential Retrofit Guidelines are available for download. (From DOE)

New Training Required for Energy Star Partners.

Energy Star Version 3, which will become mandatory in 2012, will be significantly more stringent than Version 2, and additional training will be required for HERS Raters participating in the program. (From Energy Vanguard)

Energy Efficiency Becoming a Top Priority for Businesses in the U.K.

With energy costs expected to rise as much as 26% in the next decade, U.K. business owners are beginning to look closer at the energy efficiency of their buildings now in order to reduce expenses both now and down the road. (From Dealer Support)

3 Things to Consider When Buying Garage Doors.

Often overlooked, garage doors can be a huge source of energy waste. Here are three things to consider when purchasing or installing them. (From Green Building Elements)

Do Green Homes Need to Be Durable?

It’s a largely accepted principle in building science that sustainable buildings need to be durable. Martin Holladay takes on that assumption by highlighting homes that are makeshift and mobile, and suggests that the more important component sustainability is size. (From Green Building Advisor)

Register Now for ACI’s Colorado Energy Star Summit.

ACI’s Colorado Energy Star Summit will take place on December 8-9, 2010. Register now for an early bird discount. (From Affordable Comfort Institute)

Featured Home Performance Blog of the Week:

Demand Side Solutions.

Demand Side Solutions is a new blog that focuses on “technological and policy measures aimed at improving energy efficiency in the built environment.” With several poignant posts thus far, covering everything from moisture to marketing, it’s sure to become a must-read for building science and energy efficiency professionals.