May 19, 2020

Transitioning to Building Zero Energy Homes? Start With Land Acquisition

Production builders are uniquely positioned to move the housing market toward zero energy homes. They also have unique challenges. The first one is finding land that supports zero energy rather than hinders it.

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May 19, 2020

Electric Transit is Clean, Healthy, and Efficient

Buses are going electric around the US and all over the world. Transit fleets and school districts are seeing the benefits of cleaner air and lower operating cost. And we all benefit from lower carbon emissions.

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April 13, 2020

Heat Pump Magic

Heat pumps make homes comfortable, heat water, and even dry clothes. And they do it far more efficiently than other methods. It’s not magic, it’s science!

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April 13, 2020

Carbon Emissions: We Broke It, We Fix It!

There’s no time to lose. We must move rapidly and decisively toward a carbon-neutral economy. Direct action is essential, but cannot happen fast enough. After you have reduced carbon in your home, vehicles, and businesses, there is still more to do. Here’s how.

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April 13, 2020

A Zero Carbon Building Primer

Zero energy buildings are here and growing in the market. Now it’s time to set our sights on the next step in the evolution of building design and construction: zero carbon.

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March 18, 2020

The Mystery of Misapplied Mini-Splits

If you’ve ever heard that a mini-split heat pump wasn’t fulfilling its potential there is no mystery — the problem was almost certainly errors in design or installation. Here’s everything that needs to happen for a proper installation and reliable performance.

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March 18, 2020

Production Builders, It’s Time to Sell Zero Energy Homes 

Zero energy homes are poised to go mainstream. Large builders have the scale necessary to launch the market into this new territory. Homebuyers save and builders profit.

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March 14, 2020

Make Hot Water the Modern Energy Efficient Way

Heat pump water heaters have been available for several years and are gradually gaining acceptance in new construction as well as in the replacement market. Here is guidance for the best application of this technology with an emphasis on colder climates.

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February 15, 2020

Wall Upgrades for Deep Energy Retrofits

Upgrading the energy performance of walls in an existing home is the most challenging aspect of a deep energy retrofit. One of these eight options will work for just about any zero energy renovation.

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February 15, 2020

Unlocking the Added Value of Zero that Hides in Plain Sight

Real estate appraisers and mortgage lenders have never embraced the market value of energy efficient homes despite convincing evidence. A new study by Freddie Mac provides more data in support of this added value.

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February 15, 2020

We Have Met the Enemy and It Is Waste

Energy waste is rampant in the American economy. If waste were cut in half, it would reduce carbon emissions the same amount as closing all coal-fired power plants in the US. Each of us can make choices to help reduce this waste.

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February 14, 2020

What Good is Zero if You Keep it a Secret?

Zero energy homes have many benefits, and builders need to get better about sharing them with potential homebuyers. How can we expect buyers to choose zero if they don’t have a good answer to the essential question: Why? Here are several ways to answer that question.

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