December 21, 2023

SIPs for High-Performance Enclosures: Faster, Better, and Greater Value

The construction industry is long overdue for some disruptive change. For Sam Rashkin, it’s not a matter of if SIPs will become the industry standard, it’s when.

Read Article

September 11, 2023

Selecting Sustainable Materials: An #EcoRenovate Guide

Selecting sustainable finishes and furnishings is as important as green construction. So look at the lifecycle of products, and decide what's most important.

Read Article

August 18, 2023

Start with SIP Panels: Cost Savings, Efficiency, Health, Resilience

Architects and builders continue to innovate with structural insulated panels (SIPs), proving the benefits of affordable, healthier, and more resilient homes.

Read Article

February 5, 2021

Want an Eco Home? Here’s What You Need To Know about Real Estate To Actually Get One

Home buyers can have a daunting task when looking for a home that is green, healthy and energy efficient. Much of the available real estate sales information ignores vital metrics in these areas. But if you’re looking to buy or sell a home with exceptional environmental and energy efficient features, here is an online tool that will help.

Read Article

February 5, 2021

Zero Energy Housing Market Could Double in 2021

The sixth annual inventory of zero energy homes has just been released. It shows considerable growth to almost 28,000 units. Projections indicate the number could double in 2021.

Read Article

October 19, 2020

SelahVista Homes Start with Health

While health is always on the list of zero energy home benefits, it was the motivating force that prompted Steve Weise and Brenda Nunes to develop this 60-unit neighborhood in Central Washington. All homes in the development include a comprehensive package of proven features that protect health, maintain durability, and guarantee zero energy ready performance. But Steve and Brenda are taking the health of their homes to a higher level.

Read Article

September 11, 2020

Protect Homebuyers, Reward Efficiency

Economists often say that markets make the best decisions. But that can be true only when markets have accurate and complete information. Today, the housing market is flying blind regarding one of the most important characteristics of a home: energy use. The solution is mandatory energy disclosure at the time of sale. It’s good for buyers, sellers and the climate.

Read Article

August 15, 2020

Fast-tracking Building Energy Retrofits

At current rates, most offices and homes will not be retrofitted for decades or even centuries to acceptable levels of energy efficiency. One approach is mandatory building performance standards—requiring existing buildings to meet a performance benchmark (energy or carbon intensity, performance rating, etc.), with owners having multiple years to bring buildings into compliance.

Read Article

August 14, 2020

Selling the Value of Zero

There is a special connection between homes and homebuyers. Yet many new homes are marketed like commodities. To effectively sell zero energy homes, it’s necessary to create a direct link between buyer needs and these homes’ intrinsic values.

Read Article

July 21, 2020

Six Cities Forge Ahead with Home Energy Disclosures – How Your City Can Join Them

Leading U.S. cities are filling a crucial information gap in the residential real estate market by requiring home energy disclosures for potential homebuyers: a much needed transparency measure and consumer protection practice. This process provides buyers with an energy efficiency rating on every property listed for sale. An online resource and a support network are available for local governments that want to adopt similar energy disclosure measures.

Read Article

June 8, 2020

The Smog in Your Kitchen – What the Experts Say

Experts Say Cooking with gas is hazardous to health, according to research that spans the last several decades. A recent study puts the issue in stark terms. Air inside homes can be more unhealthy than outdoor pollution even during a wild fire that fills the air with smoke.

Read Article

April 13, 2020

Heat Pump Magic

Heat pumps make homes comfortable, heat water, and even dry clothes. And they do it far more efficiently than other methods. It’s not magic, it’s science!

Read Article