| Building Science: Volume 1, Issue 9SEON’s Sustainable Energy Outreach Network Newsletter |
| In this issue • Message from the Executive Director • Training classes are now open • Shout out to our members giving back • Our members in action • Sneak peek • Interesting Links • Resources • Meetings & Conferences • Job Opportunities • Welcome New Members • Thank you, Members |
It’s September Folks!
SEON is proud to be the sole organization in Vermont that certifies individuals in high-performance building. But we don’t stop there. We believe in fostering a skilled, sustainable workforce. Whether it’s someone eyeing a dynamic second career or a young enthusiast stepping into Vermont, our training is crafted to cater to all.
Yet, this impactful training goes beyond the boundaries of knowledge dissemination. It is the very backbone of SEON’s financial health. By sharing our training, you aren’t just spreading information; you are ensuring SEON’s legacy and a brighter future for Vermont’s building sector.
We implore you: Please share our high-performance training and crew leadership development information. to help SEON thrive and to build a workforce, together, that’s equipped, empowered, and exemplary.
Onward! And until November.
Guy Payne
Executive Director
| SEON’s fall training classes are now open for enrollment. |
| We have multiple dates and locations for you to seize the opportunity to learn: ► Basics of High-Performance Building — builders are in colossal demand, now more than ever, and the key lies in high-performance expertise. Embrace the chance to reshape the world through our top-notch High Performance building course. Unite with industry experts and champion the cause of change. Seize the opportunity, redefine your impact, and be the catalyst for a greener, better world. ► Crew Leadership Development — learn the skills that foster a culture where each team member develops their technical skills and takes ownership of their roles, as well as how to create an enjoyable work environment that promotes excellence, pride, growth, respect, and collaboration.► Sign up for both today |
| Owl’s Head Builders: Fixing the not so affectionately named “headbanger” to reduce all future goose eggs. |
 Shelterwood Construction – designed for a really active and environmentally conscious family this house lives large on this special piece of land. Large southern exposures, generous overhangs, thick double stud walls filled with cellulose with passive house air tightness, this all electric home is utility bill free with the solar array on the garage roof. |
 Mathes Hulme Builders’ Lake Raponda house progress. |
 Unity Homes raised this two-story Zum (2,916 square feet of living space with a scenic mountain view) in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire this week. |
 Wright Builders – progress at this Northampton site. |
 Mindel and Morse #workinprogress – but where? Hint hint… send an email to Guy to let him know what you think. |
 475 High Performance Building Supply – the elements of an on-site mock-up, through the various connections to transition their interior air barrier using ProClima tapes and membranes. |
 Sierra Pacific Windows – Gorgeous windows that never compromise. |
| Interesting Links |
| ►Vermont is the only state where prime-age women work at a greater rate than men, and it is also one of the states with the highest percentage of women in construction. ►Homeowners in Vermont are facing rising home insurance costs due to the effects of climate change. ►The July 2023 flooding in Vermont is a reminder of the risks posed by climate change to the state and the need for businesses and governments to take steps to mitigate these risks ►Digital twin technology is a promising new tool that could revolutionize the way high-performance homes are built in Vermont. ► A shipping container that can test passive cooling systems could help researchers and builders find carbon-free ways to keep people cool in extreme temperatures. ► Climate control used by termites in their mounds could inspire tomorrow’s climate-smart buildings. ► Good residential building-codes decrease energy costs and decarbonize buildings. Sadly, N.C. is going in the opposite direction.► These high-performance building systems are cost-effective, take less time and energy to create, reduce material waste, and their market size is expected to reach $273 billion by 2027. ► Researcher turns one of the basic rules of construction upside down ► $125,000 in free money to build your own tiny home – You can be given $125,000 in free money to build your own tiny home – but it has to be in a certain location |
| Resources |
| ► Efficiency Vermont’s Energy Burden Report – It analyzes heating, transportation, and electricity costs in the state, primarily between 2017-2021. And it calculates energy burden as the percentage of household income spent on energy bills. ► Shout out to Delta Energy Works for bringing attention to his: What Policymakers, School Leaders, and Advocates Need to Know about All-Electric, High-Performance HVAC ► Check out HELM’s invaluable array of building science training courses that cater to various skill levels. ► Reminder: Are you on the Vermont Residential Contractors Approved List? If your business isn’t listed, please make sure to contact the Secretary of State’s office and let them know. |
| Meetings & Conferences |
| Event: Building Healthy Culture in Construction: Men Dismantling Patriarchy Date: Sept. 14 Place: OnlineEvent: HELM Webinar: Sales Process. Bring up budget and schedule at the first meeting. No budget or schedule surprises after the first meeting. No third meeting without a signature on something. Date: Sept. 12 Place: OnlineEvent: Hempstone’s Lime Plaster Basics Training Date: Sept. 16-17 Place: Putney, VTEvent: Yestermorrow’s Basic Carpentry Date: Sept. 18 Place: Waitsfield, VT. Yestermorrow CampusEvent: HELM’s Hike*-a-thon Date: Sept. 23 (Rain date: Sept. 24) Place: T.B.D.Event: Yestermorrow’s Timber Framing Date: Sept. 24 Place: Waitsfield VT, Yestermorrow CampusEvent: Yestermorrow’s Tiny House Design Date: Sept. 26 Place: OnlineEvent: Greenbuild 2023: Building Transformation Date: Sept. 26-29 Place: Washington, DCEvent: Yestermorrow’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Date: Sept. 28 Place: OnlineEvent: Greenbuild 2023: Women in Green – we unapologetically celebrate, sharing our experiences and honoring our impact as professionals. This year’s theme is “self-titled.” Date: Sept. 28 Place: Washington, DCEvent: Fundamentals of Pre-Construction and Project Management (7 weeks) Date: Nov. 7 Place: OnlineVisit Yestermorrow Design Build for their on-site classes yestermorrow.org/learn/coursesVisit Efficiency Vermont’s website for listing of their upcoming courses. efficiencyvermont.com/events |
| Job Opportunities |
| Experienced Estimator, Project Manager, Experienced Site Supervisors, Carpenters, Carpenter Helpers, Laborers All Seasons Construction Corp: Springfield, VTExperienced Carpenter, Weatherization Professional, Energy Auditor, Project Developer Earthshare Construction: Lebanon, NHExperienced Carpenters, Cabinet Marker, Project Coordinator, and Skilled Finish Painters HouseWright Construction, Inc., Newbury, VTExperienced and General CarpentersMathes Hulme Builders, Brattleboro, VTFor more jobs, check out Helm’s Job Board |
| Thank you, Members |
All Seasons Construction, Springfield, VT Delta Energy Works (DEW), Brattleboro, VT Duane Case, Bellows Falls, VTEfficiency Vermont, Winooski, VTFarnum Insulators, Dummerston, VT Friendly Homes, Brattleboro, VTGPI Construction, Inc, Brattleboro, VT Green Mountain Enclosure Consulting, llc (Nate Gusakov)HELM Construction Solutions, LLC, Brattleboro, VTHousewright Construction, Inc, Newbury, VTIntegrated Solar Applications Corp. Brattleboro, VT JA Saccoccio Workshop PLLC, Brattleboro, VT Junio Anthes-MoodyMindel & Morse Builders, Brattleboro, VT Owl’s Head Builders, Guilford, VT Shelterwood Construction Sierra Pacific Windows, Red Bluff, CA The Wadsworth Company LLC, Jamaica, VTWright Builders, Inc, Northampton, MA |