Local builders earn High Performance Building certification
BRATTLEBORO — On Dec. 16, nine area carpenters completed training to earn SEON’s Level I High Performance Builder certification. The newly certified builders represent three Windham County companies — Bull Creek Builders, GPI Construction and Mindel and Morse Builders — all members of SEON (Sustainable Energy Outreach Network).
To achieve certification, participants successfully completed two courses: Basics of High Performance Building and most recently the hands-on course Water, Air, and Thermal Continuous Control Layers. With this most recent cohort, a total of 27 carpenters and builders have now earned SEON’s Level I certification.
The knowledge and skills gained through these courses are foundational for addressing building challenges in Vermont’s cold and wet climate, according to a news release. Most building failures can be traced to a lack of understanding — or improper application — of building science principles. As instructors often note, “It’s the attention to detail that distinguishes a durable, energy-efficient home.”
For homeowners planning to build or renovate, selecting a builder with a trained workforce is critical, SEON notes. These skill sets are considered essential for proper compliance with Vermont’s Energy Code and for creating long-lasting, high-performance homes.
SEON is a non-profit training organization that delivers in-person courses throughout Vermont. To learn more and view the 2026 training schedule, visit buildingscience.org
This press release was written by Guy Payne, the Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON) – and ran in January 2026 in the Brattleboro Reformer