Other noise reduction features include a quiet-operation windshield wiper motor, a sound insulation windshield design and a dual-isolated motor-mounting system.

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Its age may help explain the structure's main design flaw--inadequate insulation between the upper and lower floors.

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The opportunities for sustainable energy strategies are everywhere, beginning with the design of buildings, to construction processes, to insulation, the HVAC system, the lights, the water, the elevators, the power and cooling for technology, the heating and cooling for people.

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In addition, over a dozen specific changes are being made to the design of the battery and its charger, such as adding more insulation to prevent the spread of overheating from one cell to another.

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Other resource-efficient projects like New York's 4 Times Square office building, Atlanta's EarthCraft House and Village Habitat Design's cohousing conservation communities include such innovations as energy-efficient insulation, water and air filtration, or hydronic heating, aiming for healthy, nontoxic construction processes and buildings for humans and the environment.

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The plan includes improved design features to prevent faults and isolate those that occur, including new thermal and electrical insulation materials.

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