September 22, 2022

Highlighting Useful Technologies for Getting to Zero: The New Zero Energy Project Product Directory

Building materials and equipment play a key role in the efficiency and affordability of zero energy buildings. This is why we’re proud to introduce the Zero Energy Project Product Directory to help builders identify appropriate products and to stimulate the supply chain to provide products that will draw the building sector toward greater energy efficiency.

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May 7, 2021

Healthy Air in the Best and Worst of Times

Super airtight construction and heat recovery ventilation are necessary companions for zero energy homes. But the outside air may not be as clean as we think. Increasingly common extreme pollution events can overwhelm most fresh air systems. It’s time to make high-efficiency filtration a standard feature of zero homes.

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January 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.

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November 9, 2020

Keep Cool Without Air Conditioning

Since before the dawn of civilization, humans have stayed comfortable by harnessing the forces of nature. These principles can also be applied in today’s homes and buildings to reduce or eliminate energy used for conventional air conditioning.

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April 8, 2019

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality in Zero Energy Renovations

When addressing indoor air quality, let’s not leave out existing homes and buildings. The same principles that make new zero energy buildings more healthy can also be applied to existing homes, whether during minor upgrades or major renovations. The return is in improved health and comfort. This is the final installment of our three-part series on indoor air quality and health.

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April 8, 2019

Zero Energy Buildings are Much Healthier Than Conventional Homes

As described in Part One, indoor air can be unhealthy. When you invest in zero energy, you’ll also get something even more important than money in return. Zero energy buildings are also healthier. Here in Part Two of this three-part series, you can read about all the components of zero energy buildings that make this invaluable benefit possible.

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March 21, 2019

Deadly Indoor Air Pollution: Are Zero Energy Buildings the Answer?

In Part One of a three-part series we look into health risks and the cost to society rising from conventional construction approaches. Most people are unaware of the health risks that permeate their homes. Ironically, all homes present dangers, but it is a deeper understanding of building science and greater attention to detail that make energy-efficient zero homes healthier than conventional ones. Part One of a three-part series lays out the risks and costs.

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January 16, 2019

Mandalay Homes: Zero Energy Grid-Integrated Neighborhoods that Solve the “Duck Curve”

To stay competitive, a production builder must find a good balance between cost, price, and profit. Here’s the story of one builder who has successfully added high-performance, clean energy features to their standard offering. More importantly this builder has developed an elegant solution to the challenge of solar-powered homes producing energy when it is not needed by the grid.

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June 19, 2018

Product Spotlight: Smart Energy Recovery Ventilation with CERV2

High-performance homes deserve high-performance ventilation. BuildEquinox now offers a second generation ventilation system with an integrated heat pump and sophisticated user-friendly controls.

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