In this issue
From SEON’s Executive Director
Happy Spring, SEON Members!
The other week I attended Efficiency Vermont’s Better Building by Design Conference in South Burlington. The workshops on processes, products, financing, analytics, and workforce development were eye opening, and yet I could not help but reflect on the message of the Keynote Speaker, Diana Hernandez – “America’s hidden hardship. Energy insecurity has real cost, the lives or our most vulnerable”. Her stories of the deaths of elderly neighbors from hypothermia and fire were distressing.
My recent time with the Springfield Supported Housing Project only supported Diana’s concern. The ability of landlords to be able to provide energy efficient, durable, and indoor air quality conditions is so challenged given their old building portfolio. Landlords want to do what is right, but are restricted by their own age, financial capability, and their commitment to persevere with complicated financing scenarios. Also, the availability of builders willing to do this work is limited when the margins are so low and the uncompensated hurdles they have to put up with to move a project forward is daunting. This really highlighted the complex balancing act builders face: the necessity of making a living versus the challenge of serving Vermonters in older homes who often can’t afford quality services.
The question that lingers is: what’s the financially viable business model to address this conundrum? What’s the solution that allows for both the necessary rehabilitation of our existing housing for homeowners/renters and a sustainable path for our builders? I don’t believe there’s a simple answer, but it must begin with a seamless set of relationships with builders knowledgeable of the energy code, non-profit housing service agencies, financing authorities, Efficiency Vermont, our utility companies and possibly others.
Finally – it’s still not too late to take today’s Basics of High Performance Building in Manchester!
Onward and upward,
Guy Payne
Executive Director
SP windows make both look pretty tempting 
Here are five key ways to boost energy efficiency—some simple, some big, all worth it.
