Building Science: Volume 2, Issue 12

SEON’s Sustainable Energy Outreach Network Newsletter

Dear SEON Community,

As we close out another year of incredible work, I want to take a moment to reflect on our shared achievements and express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support. Together, we have taken significant strides toward advancing sustainable building practices, addressing Vermont’s housing challenges, and empowering the workforce of tomorrow.

Highlights of Our Year:

• Expanding Partnerships: We are establishing a Registered Apprenticeship Program for High-Performance Builders in collaboration with ReSOURCE VT, positioning SEON as a Southern Vermont leader in workforce development.
• Advancing Certification Efforts: With Vermont’s Office of Professional Regulation, we’ve made great progress toward introducing certifications in Building Science, Energy Code, and IRC standards—laying the groundwork for professional growth and industry-wide consistency.
• Strengthening Collaboration: Our Vermont Homebuilding Coalition continues to unify the residential homebuilding associations in addressing the critical needs of residential construction and remodeling, ensuring a coordinated approach to systemic challenges.
• Innovative Training: This year, we expanded our Building Science and Crew Leadership courses to more locations, while maintaining our commitment to affordability, quality, and accessibility.

Despite challenges, such as the rejection of our CDS funding application, we remain steadfast. These obstacles fuel our determination to push boundaries and find creative solutions. From the development of new courses to building our advocacy voice in Montpelier, SEON is poised to make an even greater impact in the coming year.

As we look ahead to 2025, I am excited about initiatives like the TradesUp event, continued workforce mentorship for New Americans via Vermont Adult Learning, and expanding our digital support services for members. We also aim to strengthen our financial foundation to meet the increasing demand for our expertise and services. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. Your dedication and belief in SEON’s mission drive us forward. Together, we are not just building homes—we are building a better future for Vermont.

Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a bright New Year.

Onward and upward,

Guy Payne
Executive Director

I almost forgot … Early Bird Special!

Over the past five years, we’ve worked hard to keep our training classes affordable while maintaining the high-quality education you’ve come to expect. However, to keep up with rising costs and continue delivering exceptional programs, we will be adjusting our pricing:

• New Pricing (Effective December 9, 2024):
  • Non-Members: $550
  • Members: $500

Here’s the good news: we’re offering an Early Bird Special for our members! Lock in the current member rate of $350 by signing up before December 31. Non-members are welcome to join to take advantage of this offer! (If you aren’t a member, come join!)

Take advantage of this exclusive offer and secure your spot today!

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
We’re excited to keep growing together!

Basics of High Performance Building – February 13 & 27, 2025

• February 13, 2025 & February 27, 2025
• Time: 3:30pm to 7:30pm
• Location: Newfane, VT.\Address:WW Building Supply
  551 Vermont 30 Newfane, VT 05345Instructor: Junio Athes-Moody
  • Sign up ► here

Leadership Development for Crew Leaders: Mentoring Skills to Develop and Retain Your Workforce – February 19 & 26, 2025

• Date: December 10 & 17 (Two-Part Training)
• Time: 3:30pm – 7:30pm
• Location: Newfane, VT
• Address:
  551 Vermont 30 Newfane, VT 05345

Instructor: Guy Payne – Executive Director

• Sign up ► here

HELM Construction

Jan 8, 2025

Scheduling Skills (4 weeks)

Feb 4, 2025

Construction Business Basics 2025 (12 weeks)

Better Building by Design

April 2-3, 2025
Make plans now to join Efficiency Vermont on April 2 & 3 at the

DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center in South Burlington, VT for the

2025 Better Building by Design Conference

The 2025 conference theme is 2030 on the Horizon: Assessing Vermont’s Vision Versus Reality. Vermont has two ambitious goals with 2030 deadlines: make all new construction net-zero and reduce greenhouse gas pollution to 40% below 1990 levels.

SEON members are available for a group discount for only the 2-day event.

If a total of 5 members from SEON contact Guy at guy@buildingscience.org to register:

• By January 31, the cost is $324
• By March 19, the cost is $380

We’ve been hand-picked by Houzz to be featured in their editorial ideabook: 24 Simple Pleasures and Treats for Your Holiday Countdown. We’re honored to see our work showcased as part of this inspiring guide to creating warm, welcoming spaces for the holiday season. ► Read more at Housewright Construction, Inc.

Windows are in and flashed, and the house is wrapped and ready for Rockwool! With this high-efficiency construction, we’re focused on a science-driven, budget-friendly solution to achieving a tight and well-insulated envelope.► Read more at Owl’s Head Builders

We have added a new filterable photo gallery to our website, allowing you to explore different areas of our homes all in one place—from pantries to porches.We’ll continue to add fresh photography with each new home we capture, so be sure to browse often to see the latest in our finished home designs! ► Read more at Unity Homes

Even on rainy days, thoughtful design makes all the difference — our clients can’t help but enjoy the final product, no matter the weather. But we hope you’ve all dried off and warmed up since then!Wright Builders and Studio Troika.► Read more at Wright Builders

If you are looking to upgrade your current windows or you are building a new home WW Building Supply has what you need! With Marvin windows and doors we promise nothing but quality! Marvin is a family owned business for 4 generations so when it comes to quality Marvin has you covered! Stop by and see us today!! ► Read more at WW Building Supply

The Recovery + Construction Circle was created to provide a safe and supportive space for people in the design and building industry who are also in recovery (at any stage and from any substance). HELM is committed to supporting the development of healthy workplaces in our sector.► Read more at HELM Construction Solutions

Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear about your positive experience with our team. We strive to make every project smooth and successful.Ready to make your home more energy-efficient? Contact us today for a reliable insulation journey!► Read more at Farnum Insulators

Did you know that in Vermont, 1 in 4 homes were built before 1939? And at least 19,054 Vermonters live in homes that need considerable updating?► Read more at Efficiency Vermont

Tis the season!Pictured here: casement windows and a patio slider in black 023.► Read more at Sierra Pacific Windows

► Low-income households typically spend 13.9% of their total annual income on energy costs, compared
to 3.0% for other households
► Explore the 2024 Progress Report to learn how DOE and partners are building a more efficient future

► The NESEA 2024 issue of BuildingEnergy magazine is here!

► Northeastern architecture class partners with Ethiopian church in Roxbury

► Barn Ski House in Colorado | e-architect

► Amazon’s Selling a 2-bedroom Tiny House – and It’s Under $12K | Travel+Leisure

► On sustainability, coherence, and style: a conversation with the Princeton architect

Beyond R-Value AIA – Solving Performance Demands with Wood Fiber Insulation

Join us for our final Beyond R-Value Webinar of 2024. This month, we’re presenting an AIA-accredited course: Solving Performance Demands with Wood Fiber Insulation.

Date: December 19th

Time: 1 PM – 2 PM EST

Location: Online

Host: Addie Atkins, Territory Sales Manager, MA & VT

Whether you’re new to wood fiber insulation or looking to refresh your knowledge, this webinar offers a fantastic introduction to its benefits and applications. Bring your questions for our live Q&A session!

Register here to secure your spot.

• 475 High Performance Building Supply – Nationwide

• All Seasons Construction Corp – Springfield, VT

• Andrew Dey (individual owner) – Walpole, NH

• Apple Tree Builders – Southern, VT

• Bluetime Collaborative – Brattleboro, VT

• Bob Rueter Foundation (individual owner) – Turners Falls, MA

• Building-Wright – Northhampton, MA

• Delta Energy Works (DEW) – Heat Pump Systems – Brattleboro, VT

• Duane Case (individual owner) – Bellows Falls, VT

• Earthshare Construction – Lebanon, NH

• Efficiency Vermont – Winooski, VT

• EnviroProfit, LLC (lighting) – West Wardsboro, VT

• Farnum Insulators – Dummerston, VT

• Friends of the Sun – Brattleboro, VT

• GPI Construction – Brattleboro, VT

• Helm Construction Services – Brattleboro and Montpelier, VT

• HempStone, LLC – Hatfield, MA

• Housewright Construction – Newbury, VT

• Integrated Solar Applications Corporation (“ISA”) – Brattleboro, VT

• JA Saccoccio Workshop, PLLC – Brattleboro, VT

• Junio Anthes-Moody (individual owner) – Vermont

• Mathes Hulme Builders – Brattleboro, VT

• Mindel & Morse Builders – Brattleboro, VT

• Nate Gusakov (individual owner) – Vermont

• Owl’s Head Builders – Guilford, VT

• SEED Design / Build – West Townshend, VT

• Shelterwood – Waitsfield, VT

• Sierra Pacific Windows – Nationwide

• Snowdog Construction – Norwich, VT

• Steve Sebastian (individual owner) – Vermont

• Sustainable Design – Dorset, VT

• Tim Lillis Builder – Bellows Falls, VT

• Tom McLoughlin (individual owner) – Brattleboro, VT

• Unity Homes – Walpole, NH

• VSECU – Brattleboro, VT

• Wadsworth Design | Build – Stratton, Mount Snow & Okemo, VT

• Windham Regional Career Center – Brattleboro, VT

• Wright Builders – Durham, NH

• WW Building Supply  – Newfane, VT