Energy Efficient Homes
May 6, 2021
How To Sell Zero To Anybody
Selling a zero energy home is just like selling a conventional one, except zero homes offer so much more. Connecting the buyer’s priorities to the added benefits of zero homes makes the sale easier and more profitable for everyone.
Read ArticleApril 16, 2021
Do Your Green Check!
Transparency is one cornerstone of a free market. Today, the real estate market is failing to provide homebuyers with the information they need to make sound purchasing decisions. At the same time, sellers are failing to realize the full value of their homes. One essential solution is to make energy disclosures readily available and to include them in a national database of green and energy-efficient homes.
Read ArticleApril 15, 2021
Climate Solutions 101
This six-video mini course from Project Drawdown presents a comprehensive overview of available solutions to the climate crisis. The entire set of videos runs only 90 minutes and is packed with facts, making it a great resource for teachers, decision makers, and just about everyone. Unlike many other attempts to describe the climate crisis, these videos are focused on the positive climate actions we can take and it reveals a few surprising facts.
Read ArticleApril 8, 2021
Millennials in a Housing Crisis
Homeownership has been the core of the mythical American Dream, but it has been slow to take hold within the millennial generation. Perhaps the housing sector has not been meeting their needs for small, energy efficient, well connected homes. Well planned zero energy homes can make homeownership more accessible to millennials.
Read ArticleMarch 18, 2021
Factory-built Homes — Another Path to Zero
The future of residential construction will include more factory buildings. BrightBuilt Home builds modular homes that are modern, durable, and zero energy ready. The precision of factory construction is a perfect match for zero energy homes, and BrightBuilt has been building zero energy homes this way since 2010.
Read ArticleMarch 18, 2021
Bill Gates’ Path to Zero
He may no longer be the world’s richest man, but he still has some big ideas about reducing greenhouse gases. Gates’ latest book describes an ambitious, well-thought-out, set of climate actions needed to get to zero by 2050. Building efficiency and electric vehicles are just the “easy” part. Here are highlights from his plan for what must be done and how to make it happen. It's a must read for all who want to help avoid a climate disaster.
Read ArticleMarch 6, 2021
Find an Experienced Zero Energy Professional in our New Directory
Building or renovating a home? One key to success is hiring zero energy experienced construction professionals. Now you can find designers, builders, energy consultants, prefab companies and panel manufacturers that have already built to zero. Check out our new, expanded directory of zero energy construction professionals.
Read ArticleMarch 4, 2021
Texas Blackouts Offer a Lesson for Reducing Dangerous Spikes in Energy Demand
Much has been said about the Texas electric utility grid’s failure to handle the cold arctic blast in February 2021. But there’s more to the story than electric supply. There are many measures that reduce electricity demand, support grid resilience as well as keep family's warm and safe.
Read ArticleFebruary 8, 2021
Now, a More Climate-Friendly Spray Foam
Spray foam is used enthusiastically by many builders hoping to improve energy performance of their projects. But the hidden climate impact of conventional 2-pound, closed- cell foam is actually a huge step backward. A new generation of low global warming potential spray foam corrects this fatal flaw.
Read ArticleJanuary 12, 2021
Brightleaf Homes Gets High Value Appraisals
Brightleaf Homes used zero energy ready homes to break into the Chicago home building market. Building higher value high performance homes was just the beginning. Then they had to make the extra cost work for buyers. Here’s how they do it.
Read ArticleJanuary 8, 2021
Heat Pump Clothes Dryers — Ready for Prime Time
There is an elephant in the utility room. Clothes dryers have big energy appetites. As homes go all-electric, switching to heat pump technology for clothes drying will save energy and reduce carbon emissions, while reducing the wear and tear on your clothes.
Read ArticleDecember 9, 2020
How to Find Common Ground with Climate Skeptics
Most people feel as if society is at a stalemate. Opinions are stuck and steadfast. Tempers flare. Finding common ground with others is more important — and more difficult — than ever. Try these techniques to move toward solutions.
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