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Atlantic Custom Glass

Atlantic Custom Glass is a family-owned glass company in Wilmington, NC with 30+ years of experience. We offer residential and commercial glass services, including shower glass, custom mirrors, and glass replacement in Wilmington and nearby areas.

The Main Street Exchange

The Main Street Exchange is a boutique clothing store located outside of Lancaster, PA. Quality, relaxed, and on trend - we provide beautiful, modest pieces for the every woman. With an emphasis on neutrals and simple pieces our clothing is curated to bring out the confidence and unique style found in each woman.

Rylee Home Services

Need an HVAC contractor in NJ? Rylee Home Services provides heating, cooling, and plumbing services. Our heating contractors in NJ provide furnace and boiler solutions. Meanwhile, our air conditioning contractors offer AC repairs and installations.Get top tier air conditioning contractors in NJ and expert plumbing services NJ at Rylee Home Services

Quick Homebuyers

Sell your house fast with Quick Homebuyers in MD, VA, and DC. Get a guaranteed closing in as little as 3 days with no contingencies, inspections, or escape clauses. Our $10K non-refundable deposit means we close on time on the agreed price and terms. | Email : qhb@rooneyhomes.com

Helios Global Payments Solutions

Helios simplifies global payroll, workforce management, contractor pay, timekeeping, and HRIS—all through one powerful HCM platform. Manage global benefits, compliance, and talent with Employer or Agent of Record services in 180+ countries.

Green Building Community

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NESEA Pro Green Building Tour: Deep Energy Retrofit of Historic Apartments in Boston, October 24, Massachusetts

Originally built in 1888 as two-story duplex apartments and renovated in 2003, these units are being redesigned and updated to achieve Passive House certification through a comprehensive Deep Energy Retrofit (DER) of the buildings' exterior envelopes. This project is intended to serve as a demo, showing the benefits of passive house guided retrofits that can be done with minimal resident disruption. The event will begin with an opening workshop where the team will discuss the history, goals, and design and construction strategies. Attendees will then break into small groups to tour the facility while hearing more from the interdisciplinary team of experts who made the building possible. After the tour, attendees will regroup for a reception and Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to chat with the day’s speakers and each other. At a time when affordable and healthy housing is desperately needed, this tour hopes to inspire through the demonstration of thoughtful and innovative building techniques. Join the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)!

Pro Tour: Under Construction Community-Centered Educational Facility in Boston, November 7, Massachusetts

Join NESEA in Boston for an exceptional case study of how sustainability, equity, and innovation intersect in the built environment. We will be touring this new 68,000-square-foot campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square embodies FCT’s mission of providing affordable technical education to a predominantly BIPOC and first-generation college student body, while also serving as a catalyst for community revitalization. This all-electric, resilient building has been conceived as a sustainable academic facility and a teaching tool, aligning the college’s green economy-driven curriculum with its physical environment. This project offers practical insights into creating an all-electric, community-centered educational facility that aligns design with mission and budget. Attendees will explore how sustainability, decarbonization, and social equity can drive a transformative educational experience while engaging with the challenges and successes of implementing advanced energy codes and achieving carbon neutrality. The event will begin with an opening presentation, with details including the design strategies, materials selection, performance goals, and site considerations of the project. Attendees will then break into small groups to tour the facility while hearing more from the interdisciplinary team of experts who made the building possible. After the tour, we’ll regroup for a reception and Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to chat with the day’s speakers and each other.

NESEA Pro Green Building Tour: First Modular Passive House Building in NYC, October 3, Brooklyn, New York, NY

In autumn 2023, in just two weeks, Paul A. Castrucci Architects shipped and assembled 47 modular units from Leola, PA, to East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The result was this four-story residential complex with an affordable, Passive House design. NESEA invites you to an in-depth tour of this innovative project, which aims to reduce energy use and embodied carbon, while embracing circular building design. This building is the first modular Passive House building in NYC. This 57-unit all-electric building was developed through the Senior Affordable Rental Assistance Program (SARA) and includes 18 units reserved for formerly homeless individuals referred by city agencies. The remaining units are open to the general public. Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) event will begin with an opening workshop where the team will discuss the history, goals, and design and construction strategies. Attendees will then break into small groups to tour the facility while hearing more from the interdisciplinary team of experts who made the building possible. After the tour, everyone will regroup for a reception and Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to chat with the day’s speakers and each other.

Free Webinar: Clean Energy Homes: How Realtors Can Earn Referrals and Grow Business, October 21, 9 am - 1 pm PT

People who have experienced living in a high-performance home treasure their homes. They testify to the quality of life and cost savings, and this proof grows progressively stronger over time. These clients are even more than a good referral, they’re advocates; one of the most valued assets any sales professional can have. In this sesssion, Realtors will learn new routes to increased profits as they guide clients to homes that are often superior on several levels: healthy, safe, comfortable, durable, resilient, of higher quality and with lower costs of ownership. They’ll build expertise to realize higher sales prices and commissions, faster marketing times, stronger credibility, and deeper personal fulfillment in their work. Building on courses #1 & 2, attendees will increase comprehension of why and how CE homes are outstanding. And as Realtors  guide their buyers and sellers to CE homes, they’re supporting their client’s best interests as well as the environment’s. Every house makes a difference! Learning Objectives Referral Gold: Earn the strongest-ever referrals from extraordinarily happy clients Expand profit potential with the business opportunities of guiding clients to CE homes Inform clients about benefits, features, and higher market values Improve selling effectiveness with compelling sales strategies and tools Increase visibility of assets and benefits in listings and tour materials Apply the whole-human approach to resonating with customers Target Audience: Real Estate Appraisers, Agents, Lenders, Related Associates Visit https://ajo.earth/classes/ for more information. Classes are available individually or earn a special certificate by attending all 3 in the series. 

Green Building Hard Hat Tour, Bullard-Havens: Connecticut's First Fossil Fuel-Free Technical High School, October 2, 4pm, New Haven

Part of a broader statewide sustainability goal, JCJ Architecture, Consulting Engineers Services (CES), and Steven Winter Associates (SWA) came together to bring Connecticut’s High Performance Guidelines and Zero Energy Readiness to life in this new technical high school, part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS). Setting a new standard for technical schools, Bullard-Havens’ administrative areas and most of its technical shops are fossil fuel free, including; cosmetology, automotive, precision machining, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. The energy efficient Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing System (MEP) design encompasses LED lights, daylight controls, central Building Management System (BMS), demand control ventilation, and a geothermal heating and cooling plant. Originally, geothermal was not in the budget but thanks to intervention at the state level, and a collaborative team with sustainability at top-of-mind, additional funding was secured to ensure a renewable heating system. Despite complications due to the complex needs of a technical school, this project doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, and is slated to receive solar panels soon. Furthermore, the heating, cooling, and domestic water systems are Net Zero carbon emissions and do not use traditional fuel oil or natural gas. Specialty MEP systems for the shops incorporate isolated power distribution panels, an air compressor system, vehicle exhaust, welding hoods, and dust collection systems, dedicated fuel oil and propane tanks for the plumbing shop, and a geothermal well at 240 bores and 500’ deep for the Energy House (“E House”). Dynamic collaboration between the architect, landscape architect, and civil engineer allowed the Project Design team to overcome the challenge of coordinating the bore field with property lines, wetlands, site lighting, and site utilities. Learning Objectives: Implement suggestions & strategies introduced by the program presenters when constructing, building, or otherwise interacting with geothermal, especially bore fields, on a project. Create more sustainable building practices by incorporating opportunities & challenges of designing energy-intensive projects with a sustainable focus. Prepare for future projects which incorporate Connecticut’s High Performance and Zero Energy Readiness standards, using advice & insights from project architects & designers of the Bullard-Havens Technical School. Discuss how the collaboration between the project design team and state of Connecticut from design through construction yielded a fossil-fuel free, geothermal-powered project. Describe how net zero carbon emissions are being met by the heating, cooling, and domestic water systems on site.

Schneider’s Home Energy Management System (HEMS) - One App Can Do It All

Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. continues to be impressed with Schneider’s systems to make home energy management integrated and seamless to operate.  In this video, Matt interviews Will Pfleger, a Residential Microgrid Development & Strategy Manager at Schneider.  What becomes clear is that Schneider’s Home Energy Management System, or HEMS for short is comprehensive.  The system integrates rooftop solar with a back up battery system and a smart inverter connected to the Central Smart Electrical Panel so the user can monitor and manage load control, all integrated with wireless devices and through a single user interface/app.  EVs are also seamlessly integrated.   Seriously, one app can do it all.  Not only does the system help manage solar, batteries, and inverters, but the user can also control plugs and outlets.  Imagine the kids staying up too late playing video games? Parents can literally switch those outlets off though the app.  In all seriousness, information and control can play important roles in preparedness and resilience.  The app can warn residents about storms or other expected energy disruptions, allowing the resident to change strategies.  For example, the homeowner can adjust from returning renewable energy in real time through the grid to storing energy up locally in advance of an outage.  Instead of shutting down like traditional solar, this property can now use stored energy to literally power through an outage. Load management is especially important in an outage - the resident gets to prioritize what to power.  The system is also preventive, assisting with finding and preventing patterns, including alerting users when energy levels are out of alignment with normal practices.  This information puts so much power and control in the hands of occupants to manage energy, including finding opportunities for savings.   Top system benefits include: Integrated platform for all core home energy components Central Smart Electrical Panel (Schneider Pulse) to connect all energy sources, and to facilitate control of all energy uses and locations Real time monitoring enables energy optimization   So why doesn’t everyone have an HEMS yet? They’re coming!  For new buildings, this type of system can be specified and planned for from the beginning, including ensuring the space needed for system elements.  Up front costs and installation complexity will be higher for existing homes as the system replaces the main electrical panel and involves steps like rewiring and shutting off the power at times. This work will also likely require some patches and repairs to existing finishes.    Have you installed a HEMS? What has your experience been? What can you share with others to make this process easier? What are your questions for people who are just learning about these systems?

Keep Cooking During Power Outages | Impulse Labs Induction Cooktop

  The demand for induction cooktops continues to rise as more people discover the health, precision, and safety benefits of cooking with energy efficient induction cooktops over fossil fuels and less efficient electric equipment. A recent breakthrough by Impulse Labs is poised to elevate this technology even further – especially when it comes to resilience.  Check out this interview with Green Builder Matt Hoots and Marissa Horwitz from Impulse Labs at KBIS 2025 where Marissa was having a ton of fun showcasing her company’s impressive cooktop and technology. Why is induction cooking important?   Health and environmental impacts are top reasons it's important to consider induction cooktops, and other electric equipment, including water heaters and dryers, in addition to vehicles.  Gas used in cooking releases particulates and chemicals into the air at levels considered unsafe by the EPA and World Health Organization (WHO).  The amounts are higher where ventilation is not sufficient. These pollutants contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular irritations and conditions even with short term exposure, and long term can contribute to or cause asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other conditions.  Recent studies have linked gas cooking to higher childhood asthma rates.    The environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion are also significant. On-site combustion in homes and other buildings contributes to pollution and climate-impacting emissions. As researchers at Rocky Mountain Insitutute have pointed out, we should also think of our homes in a sense, at the "end of a pipeline" and system that produces toxic chemicals and leaks throughout, even as this system also provides critical energy.  The nitrous oxides produced by this combustion are the same pollutants produced as a part of vehicle and power plant exhaust, and they also contribute to smog.  The EPA reports that residential buildings generate 13% of US greenhouse gas emissions on site, but this is an understatement that does not consider construction and transportation. Total emissions including offsite generation are typically reported between 27% to 29%, and 40%, including construction.     Marissa reminds us that home appliances are not replaced that often, on average every 8 to 25 years depnding on the type of equipment, so it's important to make healthier and more long term sustainable choices when these opportunities arise when buildng or renovating, or when purchasing new equipment due to failure or changing needs.  It's wise to have a plan for replacing major equipment and when possible to replace the equipment before failure, so that you are not searching for important appliances in an emergency situation when you may not have the time to make optimal choices, or the equipment and service might be more expensive in a rush.  Switching away from fossil fuels to electric powered equipment is called electrification and along with increasing energy efficency and lowering consumption and emissions is part of decarbonization, an overall reduction or elimination of carbon emissions.    How is the Impulse Labs Induction Cooktop different?   Top novel aspects of the Impule Labs induction cooktop include ease of installation, also known as it's plug and play ability, and back up power.  This cooktop "plugs in" to regular 120 volt outlets and therefore does not require an electrical upgrade or renovation.  As mentioned, appliances and major home equipment are not replaced very often, and speed for replacement is often a priority, especially if equipment is replaced due to failure.  This mean means there might not be time to upgrade an electrical panel or otherwise renovate, to say nothing about the funds.  The integrated back-up battery power is also really a breakthrough. Instead of relying on a whole house battery, the cooktop basically recharges itself over time, and can conservatively cook three meals once a power outage has occured.  Marissa and Impulse Labs lead us to consider the idea of a home full of electric appliances that keep working during power outages and one day can perhaps distribute power as and if needed throughout a building.  The Rate it Green team is truly impressed with the Impulse Labs induction cooktop, currently available online with about a 12-week lead time.  Key features and benefits include:    Speed and Power: Where most induction cooktops can boil water in an impressive 3-4 minutes, the Impulse Lab’s cooktop generates a rolling boil in less than 40 seconds.  The cooktop has a 10 kW output, more powerful than typical 4 kW induction cooktops, which are already impressive.   Precision: The Impulse Labs cooktop maintains a set temperature within 1 degree, and it will add power to keep the desired temperature if ingredients are added or the pan shifts.  Precise temperatures can be set, for as long as needed, to cook without burning.   Resilience: The Impulse Labs cooktop has an integrated 3 kWh battery, which allows the oven to function during power outages. The battery can cook 3 meals, estimated conservatively, as it holds enough energy to power a typical refrigerator for a day. Plug and Play: This cooktop needs only 8-12 amps, in comparison to a typical 30-60 amps.  It can be hardwired in, or just plug this induction cooktop in without upgrading an electrical panel - a perfect solution for retrofits.  Safe: Like other induction cooktops, the burn risk from cooking with this cooktop is much lower, as only the pan is heated and not the cooktop.  The surface remains warm from the hot pot’s surface contact only, and this cools rapidly. The stove also has LED rings that indicate temperature.  Ventilation needs are also reduced with induction cooking, as there’s no combustion as with gas cooking and also because precise temperature controls means cooks can stay below the smoke point, though Matt and Marissa strongly affirm that ventilation is still always ideal due to the particulates and emissions that result from cooking.  Bold, Modern Design: The Impulse Labs cooktop has a sleek modern look to envy,  inducing fun hockey puck-like handles that detach for cleaning.  Cooktop or record player? Maybe that can be a future feature! Either way, the look is a plus.  Easy to Clean: Did we mention the removable dials?  Impulse Labs is Partnering with brands like Thor to bring this first product to market.  We’re excited to see more!  Imagine taking combustion out of the home for health and reducing energy bills and emissions.  Imagine appliances playing a significant role in enabling a smoother energy transition to a cleaner, healthier, and more affrodable future.   The Impulse Labs cooktop technology really seems to offer an approachable path to resilience, while still promising looks, performance, and health.  The initial units are for early adapters it seems, but prices will lower as more brands adopt this technology.  That said, the cost of a renovation to install another stove might easily be a far greater investment, to say nothing about a generator to keep the power going.

Aquor's House Hydrant - A Modern, Durable and Sleek Outdoor Faucet

Chances are, you might not think of your hose bibb, or outdoor faucet, too often.  But they’re very useful, and some hose bibs are more durable - and good looking - than others.  Green Builder Matt Hoots recently talked to Brennan Blevins about Aquor’s frost-proof hose bibbs, known as House Hydrants. According to Brennan, a quality hose bibb can be one of the cheapest long term upgrades for a home.   There are a number of terms for outdoor building-mounted faucets and they’re similar but not exactly the same.  A spigot is a broad term that applies to even the simplest faucet, inside or outside. Hose bibbs are generally threaded to make it easier for connecting hoses, and they’re generally mounted on the exterior of buildings. Sillcocks are a type of hose bibbs that are also threaded and are generally longer and extend into the heated, or insulated, space inside a wall.  The valve is also located inside the house, all to prevent freezing but a sillcock will look the same as a hose bibb on the exterior. All of these faucet types provide the connection or bridge from indoor plumbing to bring water outdoors for all kinds of uses, including watering plants and grass, washing cars, and filling pools and sprinklers. Some “frost-proof” outdoor faucets, including all sillcocks, extend further from a structure and allow water to drain when the facet is off  to prevent water from freezing inside interior pipes during cold weather and the winter season. Freezing water can break pipes and water lines, resulting in flooding inside homes.   Sometimes the newest ideas are existing innovations that have evolved for new purposes.  In 1999, Aquor Water Systems developed a hose bibb for marine deck washing. Already a leading flush-mounted quick connection on boats and yachts, Aquor’s developed frost-free “hydrants,” or hose bibbs for homes in 2014. The hydrants are made of 100% 216L marine grade stainless steel and have a quick connect system for users to connect and activate water flow with a plug and twist motion.  No handle or knob is needed.  Key to the Aquor design is a wedge shape at an angle that allows the valve to drain and even “winterize itself.”  The valve also seals behind the wall in the insulated part of the a building, preventing freezing even in subzero temperatures.  The hydrant starts to drain automatically when  The functionality sounds great, but who knew an outdoor faucet could look cool.  The hydrants showcase a steel minimalist design and come in several colors and 6 sizes.  They install nearly flush to the wall, which is less intrusive than standard hose bibbs, which can be mounted on other materials which can are and crack.  There are also models with a mixing valve for those who want hot and cold water.  Upcoming products include an outdoor shower, and a fire suppressant.     What are your hose bibb stories? How do you understand the difference between hose bibbs, sillcocks, spigots, and hydrants, and do you know any other terms for outdoor faucets we haven’t thought of? Image: Aquor Water Systems Image: Aquor Water Systems Image: Aquor Water Systems

Clear Drop - Plastic Recycling for Bags and Other Hard to Recycle Items

Pretty soon, there’s going to be an easy way to everyone to recycle or really “pre-recycle” those loose fluffy or crinkly plastic items you never really quite knew how to recycle, or what to do with.  Clear Drop has created a Soft Plastic Compactor that looks like the average trash can but transforms pesty and potentially confusing plastic items into a 12x8x4 inch approximately 3-pound brick.  Each brick is made up of about a month’s worth of the average home’s plastic bags, trays, even plastic wrappers. Check out this brief interview with Green Builder Matt Hoots of Atlanta-based Sawhorse, Inc, and Ivan Abrouzov, CEO of Clear Drop, LLC. A goal of Clear Drop is to make recycling easy and a non-obtrusive part of daily life so that everyone can participate in waste reduction, and even a “ZeroTrash” goal.  Soft plastics compacting also has great commercial potential; Matt points out that food and medical buildings might be able to make great use of this product.   Whether you just want your trash to go away, or you’re looking to recycle those last few things you could never figure out, the company’s Soft Plastic Compactor makes it pretty and even fun to get the recycling ready.  Putting loose plastics into this device sure beats bags piling up in trees or on the side of the road, or realistically just ending up in the trash and landfill.   These plastics will likely require chemical or advanced recycling as they aren’t separated, but there’s a reality of how much separating people are willing to do, and can even realistically do. A key to success - Clear Drop Recycling recognizes we have to make it easy as we all have different motivations and interest levels for recycling.  The company can make it easy for excited recyclers and people who just want less hassle at the same time. Clear Drop plans to launch the Soft Plastics Compactor shortly, and the company is currently lining up recyclers - and pre-orders. Stay tuned for more information!   

Top Green Building Educational Resources - Organizations Consistently Hosting Live, Online, Public Events

If you’re looking to attend a green building webinar or online training, or you would like to know about in-person green building or related events, there are a handful of leading US organizations that stand out more and consistently offer educational content, a good deal of which is free.  We’re pleased to give a loud shout out to these organizations to thank them for their hard work to share information more widely, here and through listings on our open green building calendar.  We try to keep up as we note events, and individuals and organizations are also welcome to post events!    Top organizations that seem to have the most full green building calendars are listed below, and we’ve starred several organizations that consistently offer free educational content.  Please shout if we’ve missed an organization - there might easily be groups hosting events we’re not aware of.   The purpose here is to point people in the direction of resources which regularly provide educational opportunities and that are open to the public.  There are also of course many organizations that host a smaller number of signature events each year, and we’d be happy to list those recurring great local or regional events separately.  We didn’t focus here on libraries of on demand content - we can list those out as well at some point.  Always feel welcome to point out great resources.     California: *Pacific Gas & Energy (PEG&E) Learning Center: PG&E offers a wealth (400+ including recordings) of online and in-person energy and green building related educational classes and longer trainings, including on-demand content, all free. Content is both consumer and profesional facing.  *Southern California Edison: SCE maintains an excellent calendar of free consumer facing and trade professional classes and trainings, online and in person. SCE operates two in-person educational centers, in Irwindale and Tulare. SCE also provides both consumer and professional content.  *Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN): 3C-REN offers a great variety of free online and in-person courses, for both consumers and trade professionals, including for real estate professionals.  The organization primarily serves California’s San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, but space permitting others are welcome and the lessons go beyond California’s borders.  USGBC California: USGBC California was recently created by combining several regional California USGBC chapters.  This combined entity is hosting an active calendar of events and trainings, some of which are free of charge, which can be unusual for a USGBC chapter.    Connecticut: BuildGreen CT: BuildGreen CT combines the efforts and memberships of 4 formerly separate Connecticut green building related organizations. Since its relaunch as a new entity in 2023, the organization has been hosting a consistent roster of hosted and community partner events.  Georgia: Southface Institute: Southface offers more technical trainings on a regular basis, online and in-person, and there are consumer facing educational opportunities as well. Most events have a fee, but fees seem lower for consumer-facing content than for professional, technical training.     Illinois: Illinois Green Alliance: Illinois Green Alliance consistently lists a range of events, some hosted and some presented by aligned or partner organizations. Hosted events are often free or lower cost, which is not as common for other USGBC affiliates.  Massachusetts:  Built Environment Plus - Formerly known as USGBC Massachusetts, Built Environment Plus is a USGBC chapter which offers many of its own online and in-person opportunities to learn and connect, Most programs are fee-based and some training program investments are more significant, but Massachusetts businesses with fewer than 100 employees can apply for funding for employees to attend events, as long as the application is submitted 21 or more days prior to the event.   *MassSave: Mass Save’s free online training roster currently hosts events on energy codes, stretch codes, and energy modeling. The organization is sponsored by a collaboration of Massachusetts' utilities and energy efficiency service providers. Many of MassSave's services are consumer facing, but the trainings seem more technical.  NESEA: The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, or NESEA, maintains a full calendar of hosted events, including a now-annual set of Pro Green Building Tours, and regional and aligned organizational events.  Michigan: *GreenHome Institute: GreenHome Institute (GHI) consistently offers a robust set of online courses that are free or can be part of a credential-earning program.  GHI hosts some in-person opportunities as well, such as green building tours and trainings.  GHI is one of the few organizations aside from a great set of California utilities that truly makes the consumer or DIY individual feel welcome in addition to industry professionals.   Missouri: Missouri Gateway Green Building Council: The Missouri Gateway USGBC chapter hosts and lists several events a month, many of which are free.    New York: Building Energy Exchange (BEEx); BEEx hosts online and in-person events throughout the year, many of which are specifically New York-focused, and many of which are free.           Greening USA: GreeningUSA hosts regular free brown bag lunches on a variety of green building and sustainable topics, many of which are virtual (See their Facebook page for upcoming events) as well as a Sustainability Academy.  GreeningUSA also does a good job of making all feel welcome.  Urban Green Council: A USGBC chapter, Urban Green offers a range of online and in-person events, sometimes focusing on the organization’s home city of New York, but often enough more widely applicable. Most events seem to have some kind of a fee.  Pennsylvania: Green Building Alliance (GBA): A USGBC chapter, Green Building Alliance offers a varied calendar of webinars, in-person events, trainings and green building tours. Most events seem to require some fee (GBA distinguishes between free and non-free events better than most, before you decide to click through.) Green Building United: An aligned chapter of the USGBC, Green Building Alliance offers events, usually with some fee, with some consistency not as full a calendar as some of the other organizations listed. The organization hosts a signature regional symposium annually.  Texas: *Austin Energy Green Building: Austin Energy Green Building is a community-owned utility which seems to offer several free events a month.    There are also some top national or non-geographically specific organizations which consistently offer online and/or in-person green building educational opportunities: *Passive House Accelerator: Passive House Accelerator maintains a robust calendar of hosted and partner and aligned organization events, some of which are free.   *US Department of Energy - Better Buildings Initiative: The Better Buildings Initiative aims to enable residential and commercial energy efficiency, resilience and renewable energy, though the free hosted and aligned calendar events have typically been commercial in nature.  United States Green Building Council (USGBC) - USGBC offers a wealth of educational and training opportunities. Some are free, but most have a fee which varies. USGBC offers events targeted to specific geographic areas, aligned with state and local organization chapters, as well as more general topics that are national or global/universal in nature.  Let us know who we should add to this list!   

Dehumidification - Balancing Energy Efficiency with Durability, Comfort and Health

Why do we need dehumidification in wet or humid climates or seasons?  How do we determine the right amount of dehumidification to size units? Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse Inc. introduces this informative talk by Nikki Kruger with Santa Fe Dehumidifiers by explaining the need to balance the increasing energy efficiency of modern homes with the durability, comfort and health concerns that can arise with excess moisture.   As we think through how to build more efficiently and sustainably, Matt reminds us that homes that are designed for today’s heating and cooling needs perform better when these systems are designed and operated as intended.  Failing to design for humidity or to run HVAC equipment as designed might lead to excess (or inadequate) moisture conditions which can damage property, make occupants less comfortable, and introduce or exacerbate health risks. As Nikki reviews, higher SEER ratings are desirable as this means lower consumption and lower energy bills. But the larger coils of these systems require run less time to get cool, and they also don’t get quite as cold, which can lead to condensation risk.  This means they’re not removing as much moisture as in the past.  When the system isn’t running, that moisture can remain and then evaporate back into the built environment, conflicting with humidity goals.  So the challenge is how to deliver comfort and health and property protection as efficiently as we can.   When possible, it’s recommended to rely on an ERV for ventilation and to have separate dehumidification equipment.  Ventilating dehumidification equipment does ventilate, but just as with A/C, ventilation is not the primary focus of that equipment.  As ERVS do not dehumidify as their main focus and as they do introduce humidity from outside air, it’s recommended to dehumidify with ventilation if only one type of this equipment can be installed.     With air conditioning running in wet climates, the systems are designed to handle a good deal of moisture, even though cooling and not dehumidification is the primary function of this equipment at this time.  But air conditioning systems do not always run at peak load, and they do not always run, particularly in shoulder seasons where the temperature might be more comfortable for occupants and they do not think to tun air conditioning systems or fans.   Additionally, filtration isn’t employed to remove pollutants when air conditioning and fans aren’t running.  In all seriousness, most people really don’t’ think through that a  filter that is off is not filtering anything.  Who would think a top concern isn’t the most obvious day when it feels humid to the average person?  If it’s 70 degrees and raining, or it’s a shoulder season, or a system isn’t running at peak, a dehumidifier will do a better job of managing humidity.  Why might the relative humidity be high in a home? Short equipment run times can lead to a lower heat load Oversized systems do not run as often Excessive outside humid air drawn in  Occupants generate humidity - People generate 1/4 pint just from breathing and 1/4 pint moisture per hour of average activity!  A lack of ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms can add to humidity problems Energy efficient HVAC systems can be less effective at removing moisture from the air Inadequate dehumidification capacity Spaces with lower temperatures, like crawlspaces, are more humid and can contribute to overall humidity Cracks in buildings without vapor barriers can also let humid air and moisture infiltrate  Expecting air conditioning equipment to handle excess amounts of humidity  Construction materials and building materials release moisture during projects and also seasonally once built   Nikki reviews how dehumidifiers work and why dedicated dehumidification makes sense in humid climates. She also reviews the target of 50% humidity for human comfort and asset preservation. it’s also important to understand that dehumidification generates heart - it takes about 1054 btus to remove 1 pint of water!  So we need to understand that the heat generated can affect comfort.  Air leaving a dehumidifier is 15-20 degrees warmer than the air supplied.     How do you choose the right equipment? For one thing, of course work with an accredited HVAC professional.  But Santa Fe has a free Psychrometric Calculator app for determining how much water needs to be removed in certain conditions.  https://www.santa-fe-products.com/resources/calc-app/#:~:text=Numbers don't lie,Calculator App on Google Play   The company also provides a comparison of different product capacities and features: https://www.santa-fe-products.com/resources/what-size-dehumidifier/   Today’s more efficient air conditioning equipment can fail to operate in a way maintains the ideal conditions with respect to humidity.  During wetter seasons or during shoulder seasons where air conditioning might not be running, it’s pretty clear that dedicated dehumidification should be considered.  For more information, check out the whole video! Nikki reviews many aspects of design, installation and operation!

Panasonic Oasys - A New Way to Design HVAC Systems

As a builder focused on high-performance construction, I'm always interested in new technologies or approaches to solving problems, so when Panasonic reached out to me in early 2024 to come see their new way of designing HVAC systems, I jumped on the opportunity.  The system, called Oasys, had just been roughed-in at their test house in Houston, so I booked a flight and headed to Texas.   What is Oasys? The idea is to use existing, efficient technologies to design an HVAC system that solves many of the problems in today's high performance homes.  The system would provide constant air flow throughout the house at a lower velocity than standard systems, replenishing the air in each room continuously, and be responsive to changing conditions in each room.  Compared to a traditional HVAC system, this would reduce noise, provide a more even temperature within a room, and have more precise control over the individual rooms. I was able to walk the house with the builder, Curtis Lawson of Crafted Custom Homes, who did a great job with it and took the time to present it to us and answer all of our questions.  As he put it "Ultimately it's about healthy and comfortable living... but you also get the advantage of a highly energy efficient and effective system." How does it work? Oasys is built around three pretty basic pieces of technology: mini-splits, bath fans, and an ERV.  Mini splits are placed in a dedicated, centralized room where at least one bath fan per room is mounted to a wall and ducted to their individual rooms.  The average house might have somewhere around 20 fans mounted on this wall.  On the opposite wall from the fans is a large opening that acts as a filtered return (MERV 6 filter).  The room outside the return is where the ERV (MERV 13 filter) mixes outside air with the existing indoor air.  As the bath fans run, the air is pulled through the filtered return, conditioned by the mini-splits, and distributed throughout the house by the fans.  These fans run at a steady low speed to replace the air in each room 3.5 - 4 times per hour.  Each room in the house has its own Swidget sensor that can measure the temperature/humidity, indoor air quality, motion, or other factors.  Those sensors report back to the system and can request a boost of air from that room's fan if the measured input is outside of tolerances.  That additional air helps bring those levels back to normal, and then the sensor ends the call for the additional boost. The benefits The continuous air flow and Swidget sensors solve several problems better than traditional HVAC systems.   Comfort - Constant air flow allows for a lower speed of air, meaning you won’t feel or hear the air blowing as much.  They didn’t tell me this specifically, but I would bet the steady circulation allows supply air to stay closer in temperature to the room air, reducing condensation risk and improving comfort.   Dehumidification - Those additional air changes also give your system more opportunities to dehumidify the air in humid climates.  (That could be a downside in dry climates, but I would bet a portable humidifier in the centralized conditioning room could solve that problem.)   Adaptability - The Swidget sensors are one of the biggest sellers for me.  Zoning traditional split systems isn’t responsive enough for modern buildings.  Even with high performance details, a South-facing primary bedroom with a lot of windows will have vastly different air conditioning needs than a kitchen or a north facing loft space.  Traditional systems might have those on the same zone linked to a thermostat in a centralized hallway.  That thermostat would dictate how your system would respond to your indoor conditions, even though all three spaces have very different needs.  With Oasys, each space has a sensor that can respond in real time to that room’s specific conditions.  If a bedroom is heating up with the sunrise, the sensor can call for a boost and bring the temp in that specific room back down.  If the air quality in your kitchen is dropping because you’re cooking on your stove, a boost of new conditioned air can help dilute the pollutant levels there.   Concerns or questions No system is perfect for all situations, I would say I had more questions about the system than I did concerns though. Air Mixing - I do wonder if the lower air speed is enough to consistently mix the air throughout each room or if you’ll have hot and cold corners.  Duct design will play a huge part in that, I’m sure.  Filtration - The filtration is also not nearly enough for a healthy home.  I get that the outside air being pulled through the ERV through a MERV 13 filter and, theoretically, all the air in the house should get exchanged through that eventually.  Is that really filtering out all of the dust, pet hair, PM2.5 particles, and everything else floating throughout the house though?  I’d like to see them up the interior filter wall to MERV 13 as well, especially with off the shelf filters. Early Adoption - There’s also always risk in being an early adopter.  Even though this system has been used in Japan for years, it’s new to our market and our installers.  You’ll likely pay more for the system than you should because HVAC companies and builders don’t fully know the risks they’re taking and want to ensure they don’t lose money on these jobs. Notice the centralized mechanical room in the Oasys system (blue ducts). The ERV mixes outside air in the adjacent living room. What else do you need? It's important to note that this system isn't set up to be used in leaky homes that are under insulated. The home has to be well-insulated and a good bit better than code when it comes to air tightness (although still not difficult to do on a new build). You also need a centralized location for all of the equipment, be it in the middle of the home at a living level or in a conditioned attic or crawl space. During the design phase of the home, Panasonic will work with the project's architect to create the space needed for the equipment and air mixing and do the modeling necessary to properly size the room and equipment. Wall of fans roughed in Mini splits and return wall Return wall from the living room Slat wall to hide the return grille   Other questions Is the system noisy? I haven’t seen it fully up and running yet, so I can’t speak from experience.  I do know that Panasonic makes some of the quietest fans on the market.  Combine that with the size of the wall return filter (which they considered sound in the design), and I would be shocked if Oasys wasn’t significantly quieter than a standard split system. What does the maintenance look like?  Honestly, maintenance seems like a dream with Oasys.  Everything is easily accessible and most products are basically off-the-shelf if one ever fails.  Even if they stop making a specific fan that you have, I don’t see why you couldn’t use a different kind in its place.   The PROs The Oasys system is incredibly energy efficient.  The main components are mini-splits and bath fans which are some of the most efficient products on the market. Using existing and simple technology means it's easy to install, maintain, and repair.  If one of the fans breaks, the average homeowner could swap it out for a new one. The continuous flow of air, combined with the outside air from the ERV, means you'll have consistently healthier air inside your home.  Changing the air in each room ~3.5 times per hour gives the system more opportunities to dehumidify and filter the air (although I do think additional humidity controls are probably needed). Because it uses a lower velocity of air flow, it's both quiet and comfortable.  You won't hear the air moving through the grilles and you won't feel like you're getting blasted with hot or cold air when you're standing by a vent.  Since you're circulating the air so much more than a standard system, the air coming from the vents won't need to have as large of a temperature differential than the other air around you (again, more comfortable) The Swidget sensors make the system acutely responsive to each space within the home.  Any room can be individually automatically responded to, instead of relying on a centralized thermostat that might treat an entire floor the same.   The CONs The main drawback to the design seems easily fixable: a lack of filtration.  The MERV 13 filter on the ERV is good, but only having a MERV 6 filter on the main return isn't enough.  Using off-the-shelf MERV 13 filters or higher would be a big upgrade. Not all home layouts will work for the space needed for Oasys and it isn't usually a good option for a retrofit. I worry about how well the air will mix with the lower velocity of air flow.  You'll have a smaller "throw" on the air (great post by Allison Bailes on this), but maybe you make up for that by the consistency of air flow? This system does require more duct work than traditional ones and will likely need open web trusses to be able to route them where they're needed.  That and the design fee from Panasonic can result in a higher initial cost. I think Panasonic is going to limit how widely they can implement Oasys if they force the design to go through them.  Right now the architecture has to get tweaked and approved by their partner architecture firm and Panasonic has to do the energy modeling and calculations.  If they could put out guidelines for architects, existing home certification programs, and home consulting companies to handle these aspects, I think they'd get much faster adoption (and more helpful feedback).   Overall If you're looking for an incredibly efficient HVAC system that can be responsive to changing conditions in each room of your new home, I think the Oasys system is worth looking into.  It won't be the right solution for every house, but it could be a great solution for many.  I'm looking forward to visiting the house again now that it’s completed to see how it's performing. If you have questions about the OASYS system or about the high performance homes we build at New South Homes, you can reach me directly at chris@newsouthhomes.com. I want to give a special thanks to Toner Kersting (Toner Home Performance) for introducing me to the system, Curtis Lawson (Crafted Custom Homes and Your Project Shepherd Podcast) for building a great house and walking us through it, and Ken Nelson (Panasonic) for speaking to our BS* & Beer Atlanta group about Oasys.  

Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy, Environmental - and Green Building - Uncertainty

Anyone who tells you they know for sure what will happen with the IRA, or Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, and a host of related clean energy, energy efficiency, health and environmental and infrastructure-related funding, has a crystal ball, or they’re just incorrect.  Regardless of someone’s personal politics, this is and will clearly remain a confusing time, and the uncertainty isn’t good for anyone involved in these industries or in any of the directly and indirectly related fields.     What are the most clear and immediate risks? Even already planned hires may not be made, at least in the near future Plants and investments that can be canceled or delayed will be- this is already happening  People are going to be laid off Important work will not get done, and delays are already occurring to do uncertainty and inaccessible funds  Immediately upon settling back into the Oval Office on January 20th, Donald Trump signed a host of executive orders, three of which have direct renewable energy and environmental impacts: Withdrawing from The Paris Agreement, again  Halting all offshore wind projects “Unleashing American Energy,” which attempted to immediately stop distributing funds for grants and loans under the IRA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, including residential solar credits (dating back in some form to George Bush), energy efficiency upgrade credits, EV credits, EV infrastructure investments, and home energy efficiency rebates.     This was the start of a court battle between a number of nonprofits and the Trump Administration as well as a separate legal battle between 22 states and the Administration to stop the withholding of committed funds.  Currently the Administration has rolled back some parent freezes or cancelations but not all, and yet the situation is not clear.  Some organizations have not been notified their funds are indeed committed, and some funds have become available while other payment systems remain literally locked.  Meanwhile, 3 separate federal judges have ruled that the Administration is not authorized to withhold funding that has already been approved by Congress.     If you are a homeowner or occupant who has already completed projects in 2024 that qualified for federal tax credits or rebates, these commitments should remain in place.  It is not clear what all happen to upgrades completed in 2025, which is one reason there’s a concern that people will put off or even cancel planned work.     If you have fairly based some of your future business and hiring on knowing the IRA tax credits and rebates were coming, it’s very hard to know what to do at the moment. Clearly, the imperative remains and clearly, it was reasonable to count on the federal government to keep commitments.  Let’s hope cooler heads will prevail.   As the folks at Energy Sage remind us, it’s technically illegal for the Executive Branch to refuse to disburse funds already approved by Congress.  So currently, the President has put a 90-day hold on approved spending.     One reason for optimism is that there is bipartisan support for energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives, and certainly for public health project, if not all environmental projects. While Republicans have not yet voiced criticism out loud for freezes and attempted cuts and cancelations, job and investment losses at home will likely cause them stress pretty quickly.  There are significant reasons for bipartisan support of these energy and infrastructure-related projects. In the 3 years since the IRA passed, plans for almost $170 billion have been made to make solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles. and more, and 80% of the related manufacturing jobs have been created in Republican districts.  As far as wind goes, wind energy currently makes up 10% of the US electricity supply, and wind is strong in Republican states like Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas, with major wind projects planned in Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming, aside from the planned offshore developments that might be in more Democratic states.     Anther reason to have some optimism is that commitments should not only mean something, but they tend to be legally binding.  Tens of billions of dollars have already been committed from the IRA and prior legislation which companies, states and nonprofits have already relied on for investment decisions including hiring given that they were assured of repayment by the federal government.  It’s pretty cynical to think the answer is just “Yes,” to the question, “Do you really want to cause this much confusion and angst and this many  consequences?” There’s a real risk of backfire and tragically missed goals if these freezes and cuts result in massive job loss and company closures and higher prices - and the risks will quickly become clear and even pile up.  The sooner everything gets cleared up and back on track at all, the better.  This kind of instability just does not create desired and promised economic results.      Examples of federal confusion and challenges include (but aren’t limited to, it’s just really confusing): $5 billion in Climate Pollution Grants are currently on hold, including a $500 grant to reduce truck traffic at LA-area airports.  At the EPA, grants paused to reduce air pollution at schools and ports, to monitor pollution levels.  Many Energy Department funds are frozen  A South Coast Air Quality Management District project to replace diesel-powered trucks and trains with electric vehicles is also frozen Maryland and DC are not currently receiving $3 billion for curbing greenhouse gasses ‘ Solar and wind permitting are on hold, currently for 60 days  Heatmap has compliled a list of 50 climate and energy departments and programs that could be targeted according to the January 27, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo which paused federal grants. loans and financial assistance programs delineated (unclearly) in recent Presidential Executive Orders, that has since been rescinded admidst much confusion.  It's worth reading this list and really gettting a sense of how many programs and people are potentially impacted.    State examples in the press: 60 recipients, including states and tribes have been unable to access funds for the $7 billion program to help low-income communities install solar panels  A 62 megawatt project in Arizona was about to hire its first 4 employees, but the access to existing funds was cut off.   Plans were canceled to a fund battery cell manufacturing plant, also in Arizona, (NYT)  Minnesota officials were unable to access non-IRA/infrastructure funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which may mean HHS can not help 6.7 million households pay heating and cooling bills as planned.  A Minnesota company has already delayed opening a new solar cell factory while tax and immigration policies remain uncertain and perhaps unfavorable  A Montana biofuels plant missed an owed $782 million payment (NYT) $1 billion to modernize the grid is on hold (NYT) The permit process has stalled for a half dozen solar projects on federal lands in Nevada (NYT) The Army Corps of Engineers has stopped the permitting process on over 168 projects (NYT) New Jersey has held off awarding new offshore turbines, and Shell has withdrawn from one of the project.  Offshore wind farms a part of a $25 billion supply chain across 40 states, including Ohio., Louisiana, and Texas.  Virginia, New York City, and Nevada do not know if ordered electric school busses will arrive South Carolina and Florida may not receive port pollution clean up funds (NYT)   The New York Times also reports that over half of $30 billion clean tech factories that had been planned will be delayed or canceled.  Delays and any cancelations or closures cause unemployment and a shrinking economy, which is of course a disaster across any party and state lines.  Closures also then affect existing and planned companies along the supply chain as well as local vendors who might have serviced these operations.  Again, this is where the consequences will become clear quickly, even more than they have already.   There’s some optimism that states have already been here before, and previously when the federal government withdrew from the Paris Agreement, states and municipalities stepped up and led the way, in principle committing 60%+ of the population to the Paris Agreement anyway.  And then there are the somewhat confusing roller coaster court battles underway between nonprofits and the Trump Administration as well as a second case between 22 states and the Administration.  Indeed, on Friday February 7, a federal judge ordered the administration not to  “pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate” taxpayer money already allocated by Congress, for the 22 states suing.  A challenge is that we’re seeing almost a “Possession is 9/10s of the law” Wild West where actions come first and consequences may come later, if at all.  This is the third decision in two weeks  in support of containing disbursement of committed funds to nonprofit and/or states so far the orders aren’t being followed in a way we just have not seen before.  Courts move slowly, and it’s faster to damage and dismantle than to rebuild.  Energy and environmental professionals worry we’re losing decades we don’t really have to make sufficient progress, all while failing to profit and compete towards great win-win goals. In other words, this situation just doesn’t seem to make any sense.   Some say that confusion IS the strategy but this much confusion is anti-growth and frankly anti-business.  One has to hope there will be recognition that we need to rethink and destabilize to avoid extreme economic, public health, and environmental impacts.     “I expect thousands of people to be laid off, I expect workers to be furloughed, and I expect construction projects to halt.”  - Jason. Walsh, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, via The New York Times “We may not survive this...“We can’t make our payroll.” - Chuck Morse, Executive Director, Thrive New Orleans.  Thrive New Orleans was awarded a $500,000 federal grant to teach high school students in disadvantaged areas how to protect their communities from extreme heat and flooding. Mr. Morse has already had to lay off four employees since this funding was frozen. - Washington Post "As of right now, think of everything on a 90-day pause." - energysage.com   “Our access to the funding system was shut down….I’m holding the bag on $17.5 million in NOAA grants I’m unable to get paid for.” - Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod -WBUR   Pausing federal funding will harm “public health, public safety and the environment.” - MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple, via court documents provided by WBUR. “Additionally, not moving forward with the implementation of the Massachusetts Solar for All program will delay or prevent the Commonwealth meeting its objectives of delivering good, well paying jobs, including construction, trades, and installation services needed to support the program.”        Additional Reading: Trump freezes IRA funding - Utility Dive Here’s who’s losing out as Trump freezes the Inflation Reduction Act - The Washington Post Trump Is Freezing Money for Clean Energy. Red States Have the Most to Lose. - New York Times EPA cuts off IRA solar money already under contract - E&E News by Politico Federally funded climate projects in Mass. face uncertainty under Trump - WBUR Mass. regains access to some federal funds, but environmental projects still face uncertain future - WBUR Court filing provided by WBUR ‘Never in our wildest dreams’: Mass. environmental projects stall amid federal funding confusion - WBUR Trump orders pause on IRA funding—what does it mean for solar? - energy sage.com -  U.S. Wind Power Faces Huge Challenges After Trump Orders a Crackdown - The New York Times       The image above belongs to Heliene.  The company had been planning to build a new battery cell plant in Minnesota, but those plans are currently on hold due to the current US funding uncertainty. 

The Toitu Earth-Sheltered House - Comfortable, Energy Efficient & Unique

Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. will be working on the Toitu House, an earth-sheltered home that really could last several hundred years, as in 500. Some claim an earthen home can even last 1000 years in theory, but we will have to wait to find out.  The name Toitu is a Maori word which is included in a proverb that reminds us to be good stewards of the earth, as ownership is temporary the land remains long after an initial owner is gone. In this video, Matt introduces the Toitu House project and speaks with Igal, the homeowner. Igal explains the dream he and his family have embarked upon, designing and redesigning over years now to get their home just right.  They had an idea that they wanted to minimize impact and embark on something unique and creative, and they have sure done that.  This is a future-facing home EPCOT would be envious of! What does earth-sheltered mean? Earth-sheltered homes can be partially or completely underground and leverage the earth's steady temperature to create a comfortable year-round environment while also operating efficiently and using less energy overall. Additional benefits include resistance to extreme weather and weather events, lower maintenance needs, greater durability and longevity, and noise reduction.   The Toitu house sits on a sloped lot, and most of the building will be underground.  Then the space around the home will literally be filled in with dirt, with the home depth varying from 2 to 20 feet below the earth.  When guests drive up to the home, they may not see the building as it will be built into the hill until they drive down and around to the garage.  The home will largely be made of rolled steel I-beams and layers of steel rebar, with a shell created with shotcrete, and finally waterproofing and protective layers.  Three large openings are planned which will let in abundant light, for a garage, a front entryway, and a bedroom wall.  Igal and his family’s goals included: Less stress and impact on the lot - Soil and grass will remain and not be covered More usable land - The home will literally be under usable area, garden and lawn can be on top of the house Sustainability - Less energy will be required to heat and cool as the earth does this naturally A durable, easy to maintain home – Toitu house might last 500+ years! Igal notes that it seems home appraisals only expect a home to last 30 years. Duable features include: Fewer openings – The doors and windows will be made of fiberglass  Concrete floors Reinforced concrete means there’s also little organic material to rot, and the materials are less intriguing to potential pests Lower UV light will reduce wear and tear Resilience and protection from extreme weather and storms - If a tree falls above an earth-sheltered home, it's not clear who hears it, and there is very likely to be less if any damage.  Sufficient square footage and a few specific amenities – The home includes a pool table, soaking tub, and even a barber chair! The possibility to age in place - A first floor primary bedrooms mean it's possible to enjoy single floor living in a fairly easily maintainable space Curb appeal (or no curb?) - The home will sit “gracefully” on, or really under, the land Igal walks us through a tour of the home, starting with the kitchen as the core of the building.  The building will house 4 people in 3700 sf 4with BRs, room for guests, and even a balcony.  He describes the industrial warehouse theme as in buildings where units were made into or included artsy lofts.  The structure is mostly a vaulted single story with additional height and another story in the bedroom “wing,”  which then reaches 20 feet in the center.  The arched roof makes it feel roomy, and more organic in Igal's opinion.   Ventilation is always critical but perhaps even more so for this project. If the air quality ifs not right, one can’t always crack a window in the same way to get fresh air or to increase circulation as with an above ground structure with more windows.  Getting all of the HVAC right is also essential, as a builder will want to get it right and not have to come back – when it will likely be harder to make certain repairs.  Matt and Igal plan to create focused videos on HVAC.   One note and possible concern is that you really want to get this structure exactly right, as certain changes can not be made later.  For example, you’re not going to easily add a new room.  This need and almost restriction means that thorough planning with a long-term lens is important.  Minimal impact and durability were high on their list, and Igal admits he wanted to build something unique and "cool" as well. (Get it, it stays cool!) To learn more, check out Matt's Interview! Matt and Igal are committed to sharing their experiences through the construction process, so get ready for some amazing leading edge content, and please feel welcome to connect and post and to share your opinion and conversations.  If you have a question, chances are someone else has that same question, too.  We can not wait to see this house, which is targeted for a 2025 completion, and we’re also excited and already inspired, as Matt and Igal are committed to sharing their experiences and lessons as they complete the project.  We’re also so excited about the conversations this house can inspire.  Would you live underground in an earth-sheltered structure? Why or why not? What is your dream home, or your dream project to work on?  What's the coolest project you've worked on, and why? Let's discuss!  

HVAC Energy Efficiency Upgrade - Before and After

I am excited to report that we’ve made significant progress on our HVAC upgrade project!  A while back, I shared an article when I first fully realized how it’s important to have a plan for major home equipment replacement, largely because these decisions have significant potential impact and we don’t make them very often. In addition to higher up front costs, a rushed or suboptimal decision can be particularly costly in terms of energy, health, and comfort. The fact that the decisions are infrequent means that negative effect are extended over years, sometimes even decades.  This also means that great decisions have lasting and amplified positive impacts.   In a sense, our HVAC equipment replacement plan started right when we moved into our home. Our home inspector shared that our boilers were not the most efficient even though they were “good for their time” when installed, but that they would last months or years.  He didn’t know exactly when, but at some point we’d have to replace them. That was almost two decades ago, so I felt we were pushing our luck.  As I became more educated green building products, services, practices, and concepts, and particularly about electrification and energy efficiency and about indoor air quality and our health, I became both excited to undertake this project and honestly anxious that I need to do it as SOON as possible!   Our Project Goals: Replace our existing boilers with current and reliable technology Reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions, specifically natural gas   Reduce energy consumption Improve indoor air quality, or IAQ Create a better area for our outside HVAC equipment   Our decision to keep gas for our boilers was largely impacted by the fact that we already had gas in this house and that we knew that at very cold temperatures, gas boilers can still be more efficient.  I should also note that we have a gas generator to help in the event of power outages, so it’s not like we were planning to remove gas from the property entirely.  And finally, I will say from a real estate investment perspective, it would be considered odd to remove gas in our area as it’s still seen as a benefit if not an expectation.  So my goal became more to reduce this usage as much as possible.      I was also super excited to reduce our overall consumption.  Heat pumps are typically 300-400% more efficient than you average gas boiler.  As long as electricity rates aren't particularly high, this also means saving money.  An interesting fact is that if we switch to electric powered equipment, the energy efficiency impact of this decision is not likely linear in that the projected savings per year over time can grow as the grid also becomes more efficient.  At the same time, environmental impacts are also further reduced.    The more I learn about indoor air quality, or IAQ, the more I am worried about health effects from irritants and pollutants we don’t even fully understand.  So few of the zillions of existing chemicals are regulated, and volatile organic compounds, find dust, allergens, and other particles and pollutants  are off-gassing, or leaking from products and chemicals into our indoor air space.  We do not fully understand all of the potential short and long term risks from poor air, but we know some and they’re alarming.  The connection between natural gas cooking and asthma alone is worth reconsidering how prizes many have considered natural gas stoves.  Monitoring indoor air is just really taking off as a practice, especially as some more mainstream thermostat brands include some air quality measures in their equipment and it’s not clear that most people are prepared or able to take the steps needed to sufficiently prevent, clear or clean up many of the substances in the air that can cause us harm.  In our project, I wanted to see what steps we could reasonably take to bring in sufficient fresh air and to filter out pollutants. I was and remain interested in continuing to learn what we can keep doing as well.   I had one unusual goal which is also to make the areas where our compressors are located less ugly.  I know that sounds silly, but in all seriousness I had shared in the past that compressor placement is important to consider in colder climates.  Our compressors were pretty close to the ground and were located near an area where our snow tends to build up due to plowing patterns and roof shape.  So I had wondered what to do to protect them, and it seemed great to address this and make our overall project as comprehensive as I could.   What We’ve Accomplished to Date:   Below is a list of our completed installations and action items so far, with some limited explanations.  I say so far as I remain interested in a few last steps, including continuing to learn about and work on indoor air quality.  Installed 2 replacement 96% energy efficient gas boilers (standard today is around 90%) Installed 2 replacement humidifiers to replace older equipment Installed two VRF air sourced heat pumps We had conventional air conditioning prior with gas heating, and now we have a hybrid system. Above 30 degrees, the heat pumps will take over our heating from the gas boilers – We’ll also work to find the balance point, so that we may lower that threshold.  This includes installing two ceiling cartridge units which also address comfort issues in areas where we had insufficient heating previously Moved one existing mini split to an alternate location in our basement where we did not have cooling capacity previously. This mini split was not compatible with our planned equipment in terms of working seamlessly as a part of one system, but we found a way to keep it! Installed 3 ERV’s (1 was a replacement), one in our basement and two on our second floor Installed a remote kitchen exhaust fan and make up air to bring fresh air into the kitchen Pending: We’ve planned for and have done some preparation work to install an additional heat pump for the future where we had a newer heat pump compressor which only delivers air conditioning at this time. We’ve installed the line sets and have made provision for low voltage power so that the future project to replace the compressor for this zone will be far less invasive.  Basically, we’ve don't the construction part of that now!   Project Benefits I am so excited to have made progress on so many of my key HVAC goals and to have idea on how to keep learning and to keep making improvements, particularly where IAQ is involved.  Clearly we had to replace our boilers, and I wanted to get the most efficient equipment reasonably available, that could also be repaired (I didn’t want the Jaguar of boilers). But my plan was to see how much we could to do given this already existing home to increase efficiency, reduce consumption and emissions, and improve our health and comfort.  We are clearly on our way!    We expect to save money from our energy reductions, and I am excited to see how the house will perform, but it’s too soon to calculate our investment returns and savings because we haven’t yet been through a full year with the new systems in place. I look forward to reporting how this all went in a couple of years when we have some numbers.  Most of our new equipment is so much more energy efficient, though I know electric rates mean energy consumption per energy unit can be more expensive than with gas, and I know that ERVs increase energy consumption as they work to bring in fresh air, but we do expect our overall energy bills to be lower. The question really is how long it would take to pay back our investment, and that we do not know yet.  This is all harder to model on existing homes with so many unknowns that can’t be input into a model, but we look forward to finding out over time. Before this project, our home had two 83% efficient gas boilers from the mid 1980s and conventional A/C units which provided cooling only. We had one mini split serving a single zone in a space that had been added to our home more recently.  We knew our boilers had limited life left, and they had recently stopped communicating properly with the controllers. So even if they kept working, we would have to make a significant investment in new control technology.  Prior to this project start, we learned (and smelled) that we had a small gas leak. It was making me so stressed out! So the first thing we did was speed up the boiler replacement. When the old boiler pipes were removed, the areas leaking the gas went right along with them.  We also had an open vented gas system before, which means there was an air gap between our boilers and exhaust pipes.  It seemed likely we may also have had a post-combustion leak of some of this air as well, which was also resolved with our new closed-loop system.    Every time we use our boilers now, we’re using 13% less gas than previously. And when it’s warmer than 30 degrees, we won’t be using any gas to heat and cool our home!  The one older compressor we kept uses heat pump technology.  We do still have gas for cooking, but we installed a remote hood fan to reduce noise, and now everyone is much happier to use the hood.  And using the hood means we’re removing pollutants that result from using gas as a cooking fuel.  We also installed make up air as a retrofit, so that directed fresh air will replace the air the hood removes, which helps ensure we won’t draw this replacement air through wall cracks and crevices that might not be particularly healthy when effectively used as filters. The remote hood is one part of our air quality and comfort improvement efforts.  As long as we use the hood, I know we’re breathing better air when we’re cooking.  The ERVs, or energy recovery ventilators are also a significant part of our IAQ plan. These pieces of ventilation equipment bring in fresh outside air and exchange this air for potentially polluted or even just stale inside air while also working to reduce temperature differences between the two air streams so this exchange can be as energy efficient as possible. Fresh air is important for diluting pollutants, irritants, and allergens, but it is also important to have a robust filtration system. We have a good filtration system it did not make sense to replace at this time, but this is something we may look at again in the future.  I am pleased to have replaced older humidification equipment, but I admit I am paranoid about mildew and mold risk, so I am happy we have plenty of existing dehumidification as well, particularly in our basement.  Temperature is also a part of air quality, and I am happy that our new mini splits will help us properly and efficiently heat two areas of our home that just didn’t get sufficient heat in the past.  Installing mini splits is a great way to repair temperature control challenges without additional construction expense. I feel like I am still beginning my journey regarding indoor air quality. I have studied this topic in theory, and I have made some changes that will improve our IAQ, but I have not yet measured the pollutants we can, and I finally feel ready to embark on this part of the project. As I have written in a piece on IAQ, I worry we’re starting to learn just how worrisome our indoor our should be, and some of what we can do about this, but most of us don’t know enough about what to do if we discover a particular problem, and maybe not everyone has the time or funds to make needed improvements.  So there’s a chance I was too worried about what I might find out. I purchased indoor air quality monitoring equipment some time ago, but I haven’t yet tried it out.  I am also interested in learning all I can about how “tight” or “leaky” our house is in terms of where we might be losing or gaining air, water vapor, and energy. So I am hoping to do some tests like infrared measuring and blower door tests to see what is coming in and out of our building, and how.  I’d like to seal up any leaks for energy efficiency and moisture control purposes, while also making sure we have balanced and proper ventilation throughout.  The ERVs are a big part of making sure we’re bringing in enough fresh air, and I look forward to learning the best plans or schedules for optimal operation.  “Perfecting” IAQ will be my next phase, and I look forward to reporting in!   Have you embarked on an HVAC project you can share, small or large? What were your goals, and have they been met? What challenges did you face? Please feel welcome to comment, and also to submit your own upgrade report! Progress! The unit on the left below is a VRF, or Variable Refrigerant Flow Heat Pump. Note that the variable in VRF relates to the increased levels of refrigerant flow gradation in these systems, resulting in greater control and comfort and energy efficiency.  Where some systems might only have one motor speed, or two motor speeds, the added levels in VRF systems mean that the systems can better match energy use to actual conditions and demands, resulting in less energy use overall. The systems are also hihgly energy efficient and tend to run quieter.   On the right we have a heat pump compressor that only dlivers provides heat. It would need adjusting to provide both heating and cooling. When the zone served the the compressor on the right fails, everything is already set up for the next heat pump unit. We have the plan and we're ready, and it wil be a lot less work since we've prepared, but it could be years.   Our outdoor systems area was not very attractive before this project! And then when it snowed, the equipment was too close to the ground. When it snowed a lot, we had real problems. We found this clever spot for one of the heat pumps, behind the house. I plan to make the base a little more attractive.  Additional/Related Information: Residential Decarbonization – Influencing Consumer Demand Before Inflection/Decision Making Points is Key Building Electrification: Why It Matters to Your Wallet, Health, Comfort, and the Environment Electrification and Decarbonization Content Guide Heat Pumps 101 - Comfort, Health, Savings, Energy Efficiency, and Lower Emissions The Future of Natural Gas Cooking (Are "They" Coming to Take Your Stove Away? Reducing the Natural Gas “Bridge,” for Human and Environmental Health A Rate It Green Content Guide to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Remote Hood Exhaust Fan Retrofit Delivers Significant Noise Reduction

NESEA Pro Green Building Tour: Deep Energy Retrofit of Historic Apartments in Boston, October 24, Massachusetts

Originally built in 1888 as two-story duplex apartments and renovated in 2003, these units are being redesigned and updated to achieve Passive House certification through a comprehensive Deep Energy Retrofit (DER) of the buildings' exterior envelopes. This project is intended to serve as a demo, showing the benefits of passive house guided retrofits that can be done with minimal resident disruption. The event will begin with an opening workshop where the team will discuss the history, goals, and design and construction strategies. Attendees will then break into small groups to tour the facility while hearing more from the interdisciplinary team of experts who made the building possible. After the tour, attendees will regroup for a reception and Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to chat with the day’s speakers and each other. At a time when affordable and healthy housing is desperately needed, this tour hopes to inspire through the demonstration of thoughtful and innovative building techniques. Join the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)!

Pro Tour: Under Construction Community-Centered Educational Facility in Boston, November 7, Massachusetts

Join NESEA in Boston for an exceptional case study of how sustainability, equity, and innovation intersect in the built environment. We will be touring this new 68,000-square-foot campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square embodies FCT’s mission of providing affordable technical education to a predominantly BIPOC and first-generation college student body, while also serving as a catalyst for community revitalization. This all-electric, resilient building has been conceived as a sustainable academic facility and a teaching tool, aligning the college’s green economy-driven curriculum with its physical environment. This project offers practical insights into creating an all-electric, community-centered educational facility that aligns design with mission and budget. Attendees will explore how sustainability, decarbonization, and social equity can drive a transformative educational experience while engaging with the challenges and successes of implementing advanced energy codes and achieving carbon neutrality. The event will begin with an opening presentation, with details including the design strategies, materials selection, performance goals, and site considerations of the project. Attendees will then break into small groups to tour the facility while hearing more from the interdisciplinary team of experts who made the building possible. After the tour, we’ll regroup for a reception and Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to chat with the day’s speakers and each other.

NESEA Pro Green Building Tour: First Modular Passive House Building in NYC, October 3, Brooklyn, New York, NY

In autumn 2023, in just two weeks, Paul A. Castrucci Architects shipped and assembled 47 modular units from Leola, PA, to East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The result was this four-story residential complex with an affordable, Passive House design. NESEA invites you to an in-depth tour of this innovative project, which aims to reduce energy use and embodied carbon, while embracing circular building design. This building is the first modular Passive House building in NYC. This 57-unit all-electric building was developed through the Senior Affordable Rental Assistance Program (SARA) and includes 18 units reserved for formerly homeless individuals referred by city agencies. The remaining units are open to the general public. Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) event will begin with an opening workshop where the team will discuss the history, goals, and design and construction strategies. Attendees will then break into small groups to tour the facility while hearing more from the interdisciplinary team of experts who made the building possible. After the tour, everyone will regroup for a reception and Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to chat with the day’s speakers and each other.

Free Webinar: Clean Energy Homes: How Realtors Can Earn Referrals and Grow Business, October 21, 9 am - 1 pm PT

People who have experienced living in a high-performance home treasure their homes. They testify to the quality of life and cost savings, and this proof grows progressively stronger over time. These clients are even more than a good referral, they’re advocates; one of the most valued assets any sales professional can have. In this sesssion, Realtors will learn new routes to increased profits as they guide clients to homes that are often superior on several levels: healthy, safe, comfortable, durable, resilient, of higher quality and with lower costs of ownership. They’ll build expertise to realize higher sales prices and commissions, faster marketing times, stronger credibility, and deeper personal fulfillment in their work. Building on courses #1 & 2, attendees will increase comprehension of why and how CE homes are outstanding. And as Realtors  guide their buyers and sellers to CE homes, they’re supporting their client’s best interests as well as the environment’s. Every house makes a difference! Learning Objectives Referral Gold: Earn the strongest-ever referrals from extraordinarily happy clients Expand profit potential with the business opportunities of guiding clients to CE homes Inform clients about benefits, features, and higher market values Improve selling effectiveness with compelling sales strategies and tools Increase visibility of assets and benefits in listings and tour materials Apply the whole-human approach to resonating with customers Target Audience: Real Estate Appraisers, Agents, Lenders, Related Associates Visit https://ajo.earth/classes/ for more information. Classes are available individually or earn a special certificate by attending all 3 in the series. 

Green Building Hard Hat Tour, Bullard-Havens: Connecticut's First Fossil Fuel-Free Technical High School, October 2, 4pm, New Haven

Part of a broader statewide sustainability goal, JCJ Architecture, Consulting Engineers Services (CES), and Steven Winter Associates (SWA) came together to bring Connecticut’s High Performance Guidelines and Zero Energy Readiness to life in this new technical high school, part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS). Setting a new standard for technical schools, Bullard-Havens’ administrative areas and most of its technical shops are fossil fuel free, including; cosmetology, automotive, precision machining, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. The energy efficient Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing System (MEP) design encompasses LED lights, daylight controls, central Building Management System (BMS), demand control ventilation, and a geothermal heating and cooling plant. Originally, geothermal was not in the budget but thanks to intervention at the state level, and a collaborative team with sustainability at top-of-mind, additional funding was secured to ensure a renewable heating system. Despite complications due to the complex needs of a technical school, this project doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, and is slated to receive solar panels soon. Furthermore, the heating, cooling, and domestic water systems are Net Zero carbon emissions and do not use traditional fuel oil or natural gas. Specialty MEP systems for the shops incorporate isolated power distribution panels, an air compressor system, vehicle exhaust, welding hoods, and dust collection systems, dedicated fuel oil and propane tanks for the plumbing shop, and a geothermal well at 240 bores and 500’ deep for the Energy House (“E House”). Dynamic collaboration between the architect, landscape architect, and civil engineer allowed the Project Design team to overcome the challenge of coordinating the bore field with property lines, wetlands, site lighting, and site utilities. Learning Objectives: Implement suggestions & strategies introduced by the program presenters when constructing, building, or otherwise interacting with geothermal, especially bore fields, on a project. Create more sustainable building practices by incorporating opportunities & challenges of designing energy-intensive projects with a sustainable focus. Prepare for future projects which incorporate Connecticut’s High Performance and Zero Energy Readiness standards, using advice & insights from project architects & designers of the Bullard-Havens Technical School. Discuss how the collaboration between the project design team and state of Connecticut from design through construction yielded a fossil-fuel free, geothermal-powered project. Describe how net zero carbon emissions are being met by the heating, cooling, and domestic water systems on site.

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