This is one of those things you want to know before you build or retrofit / remodel your home. As homeowners, it’s our responsibility to ensure that our homes are not just comfortable and beautiful, but also environmentally responsible. One critical aspect that is often overlooked in residential construction is the use of Portland cement. […]
Go Green with Sustainable Alternatives to Portland Cement Read More »
COMFEN is a tool designed to support the systematic evaluation of alternative fenestration systems for project-specific commercial building applications. COMFEN provides a simplified user interface that focuses attention on key variables in fenestration design. Under the hood is Energy Plus, a sophisticated analysis engine that dynamically simulates the effects of these key fenestration variables on energy consumption, peak energy demand, and thermal and visual comfort.COMFEN is a tool designed to support the systematic evaluation of alternative fenestration systems for project-specific commercial building applications. COMFEN provides a simplified user interface that focuses attention on key variables in fenestration design. Under the hood is Energy Plus, a sophisticated analysis engine that dynamically simulates the effects of these key fenestration variables on energy consumption, peak energy demand, and thermal and visual comfort.
Occupancy Simulator Read More »
The Building Performance Database (BPD) is the largest publicly-available source of measured energy performance data for buildings in the United States. It contains information about the building’s energy use, location, and physical and operational characteristics. The BPD can be used by building owners, operators, architects and engineers to compare a building’s energy efficiency against customized peer groups, identify energy efficiency opportunities, and set energy efficiency targets. It can also be used by
Building Performance Database (BPD) Read More »
One of SEON’s goals is to help build a more diversified workforce in the building trades, by focusing on training and employing more non-traditional workers. One of the members of our network, Duane Case, who is a professional home builder in Bellows Falls, has been temporarily mentoring and employing an Afghan refugee who has recently relocated to the Brattleboro Area.
SEON Member Employs Afghan Refugee Read More »
As high performance builders, we are always seeking ways to improve our craft and create homes that are more efficient, resilient, and sustainable. But when it comes to designing and constructing homes that work in harmony with the environment, we have the best mentor: nature itself. On National Beaver Day, we celebrate the incredible resourcefulness and ingenuity of beavers, whose natural building techniques have inspired some of the most forward-thinking builders to create homes that are more energy-efficient, resilient, and adaptable.
As a high-performance builder, you know that creating buildings that are energy-efficient, sustainable, and comfortable for occupants is key to staying at the forefront of the house building industry. But have you ever stopped to think about the surprising connection between your work and a fashion trend from the past?
DID YOU KNOW: The connection between Bell Bottoms and High-Performance Building Read More »
The International Energy Analysis – Berkeley Lab Tools – is a great resource for finding tools that help with businesses, cross-sectors and industry in the building science realm.
International Energy Analysis – Berkeley Lab Tools Read More »
Education Coordinator at the Windham Regional Career Center; John DiMatteo, Instructor of Architecture & Construction at WRCC; the maintenance staff at WRCC; GPI Construction for use of one of their projects; Jon Saccoccio of JAS Workshop for providing an architect’s perspective of construction documents; our regional builders for support of this program; and certainly Peter Yost, of Building-Wright, for his exceptional delivery of this complicated subject matter. Subsidy for the tuition was provided by the Vermont Community Foundation.
We have reached a turning point for the residential building community. This type of knowledge once rested solely with the owner, but now business owners are expecting their carpenters, drafts people, and agents to understand and apply the fundamental principles of high performance construction. This includes managing air, heat, and moisture in a building. It has become necessary for people holding positions throughout the field to understand these principles, and in addition to business owners and designers, it is important for the people doing the physical work to be educated in high performance building. Continuous learning and professional development are no longer optional for these businesses.
SEON course on high performance building well attended – The Vermont Journal Read More »
The Home Energy Saver™ (HES) empowers homeowners and renters to save money, live better, and help the earth by reducing energy use in their homes. HES recommends energy-saving upgrades that are appropriate to the home and make sense for the home’s climate and local energy prices. The money invested in these upgrades commonly earns “interest” in the form of energy bill savings, at an annual rate of 20% or more. HES also estimates the home’s carbon footprint and shows how much it can be reduced. For professional users, we also offer HESpro and teachers and students can check out Energized Learning.
Here are ten reasons why using a high-performance builder to replace your clapboard is better than using a regular builder: Looking to find a certified, high-performance builder in Vermont and the New England area? Looking to find a certified, high-performance builder in the United States?
10 Reasons to hire a High Performance Builder to Replace Your Clapboards Read More »
