High-Performance Building

High-Performance Building

• Green Builders & Homeowners Must Work Closely to Bridge “Performance Gap”

   

• Water Efficient Homes Go Beyond Low-Flow Fixtures

  High-efficiency toilets and faucets are important, but real water savings comes from rethinking water delivery.

   

• Barn Raising: Where LEED Platinum and History Meet

  This remodeler's LEED Platinum, zero net energy office is also on the National Register of Historic Places — a first.

   

• Energy Stars: These Remodelers Made the Most of Various Grants and Programs for Energy-Efficient Upgrades

  Home Star may be gone, but all is not lost. There are still abundant options for remodelers who want to capitalize on home performance work.

   

• Adding Muscle: This Project May Look Small and Unassuming, but It Packs a High-Performance Punch

  A 1950s-era Massachusetts home uses 60% less energy after a deep energy retrofit.

   

• Franchise Program Takes the Guesswork Out of Green Remodeling

  Colorado builders rejuvenate their business model thanks to a new franchise system that encourages and provides resources for high-performance retrofits.

   

• R-5: A Window on the Future

  The DOE's R-5 Windows Volume Purchase Program is abour more than saving money.

   

• Strategy Guide: Regreen Remodeling Guidelines Now Available Online

  Looking to research green strategies for your projects? The Regreen Strategy Generator is an online tool that offers valuable information about green remodeling.

   

• Building Better: DOE Programs to Boost Residential Energy-Efficiency

  The U.S. Department of Energy is investing $30 million in energy-efficient housing partnerships.

   

• DOE’s Home Energy Score Program Aims to Simplify Performance Evaluation

  Pilot scoring tool ranks a house’s energy performance on a scale from 1 to 10, provides customized upgrade recommendations.

   

• Green Renovations: A Remodeler’s Key to Success

  Sustainable retrofit expert David Johnston offers tips for high-efficiency remodels.

   

• It's Systematic: Home Improvement Checklist Makes Homeowners Aware of All the Options

  Remodeler Frank Wickstead asks clients to review this checklist of enhancements for their home including home performance and green options.

   

• Q&A With Larry Laseter, president of WellHome

  WellHome is a home performance division aimed at residential home improvement. The division was launched earlier this year by building products manufacturer Masco, which operates a similar division called Environments for Living. That division is targeted at new-home builders.

   

• Back to School: Home Performance Certifications

  Many remodelers believe that there is a legitimate need for home performance certifications, specifically.

   

• Under the Hood: Home Performance Diagnostic Equipment

  Diagnostic testing equipment yields valuable building information -- if users are prepared, and able, to accurately interpret the results.

   

• Building a Future: Effects of the Home Star Bill on Remodeling

  Will passage of the Home Star Energy Retrofit bill put remodelers back to work or out of work?

   

• Energy King: Q&A With Pro Energy Consultants' Mark Cannella

  Home performance may be hot now, but Mark Cannella has been doing energy audits for more than 15 years.

   

• Building Science: Putting Tightness to the Test

  Guidelines for interpreting blower-door test results.

   

• Window & Door Manufacturers Association E-Update: Home Performance News

  The following appeared in a recent Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) E-Update and contains updates and information regarding the developments in Congress for tax credits, the EPA lead paint ruling, Home Star, building performance issues, and more.

   

• Weatherization Incentives Offer New Opportunities for Building Pros

  Maine remodeler offers advice for diversifying into home energy retrofits.