Build Your Home

High performance builders and architects call for legislation and law to change to protect homeowners in Vermont, especially after the dangers of spray foam insulation were revealed.

Architects and Builders Urge Action for Improved Construction Standards

Build Your Home, Did You Know?, For Homeowners, Policy /

artially due to the recent spray foam insulation issues, a group of six builders and architects came together with a unanimous request during a recent hearing in Vermont. They appealed to the panel responsible for approving state regulations, urging them to delay the proposed energy code updates. Their rationale was rooted in the need for Vermont to first establish improved education, training, certification, and enforcement measures for builders before implementing these changes. The spray foam insulation failures served as an example of the issues that can arise without adequate knowledge and oversight in the construction industry.

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Robert Swinburne's New England Dream House is just one of the high performance homes he he built - the Sugarbush House

To Live the New England Dream, You First Must Build the New England Dream

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To Live the New England Dream, You First Must Build the New England Dream. In order to truly invest in your home, neighborhood, and community, it is crucial to start with constructing an efficient, sustainable house that minimizes waste and environmental impact while saving on building costs. This involves using eco-friendly building materials and designing an energy-efficient home with features like quality insulation, energy-saving windows, and airtight construction. Reducing waste during construction is also vital, which can be achieved through prefabricated components and reusing or recycling materials.

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Robert Swinburne - high performance architect. Building Science homes in New England.

Empowering New Englanders and New Yorkers: Revolutionizing High Performance Homes

Build Your Home, For Homeowners, Useful Information /

Are you a new homebuilder or retrofitter with dreams of creating a sustainable and energy-efficient living space? Look no further than the wealth of nonprofit organizations in New England and New York dedicated to helping you turn your vision into reality. These organizations offer invaluable resources and support, connecting you with energy and lighting efficiency solutions, and helping you live the New England dream.

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475 High Performance Building Supply demonstrates open-vapor straw bale building science - 475 is a SEON member

Building Back to the Roots: Sustainable Homes, Vermont-Style

Build Your Home, For Homeowners /

Vermont is renowned for its charming older homes, barns, and churches that encapsulate the quintessential Vermont dream. Building the Vermont Dream means embracing sustainable practices today, reminiscent of those older homes that reflect the wisdom of our great-great grandparents. Our ancestors were deeply committed to sustainable building, utilizing natural materials, incorporating passive solar design, and employing other techniques to create energy-efficient and environmentally friendly homes. However, over time, we deviated from these practices in pursuit of convenience and cost-effectiveness. To restore Vermont’s legacy of sustainable building and create a future that honors our past, we must understand why we strayed and take action. By educating ourselves and promoting sustainable building, we can revive our connection to heritage, reinstate sustainable practices, and forge a path towards a greener future for Vermont.

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