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Built to Last: The Power of Resilient Construction

Written by Maeve Moran In the face of climate change, we are constantly rethinking how to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat, flooding, hurricanes, and other severe climate events. The number of climate-related disasters has rapidly increased over the past four decades, and this is trending upward. Resilient construction is one way to limit harm…

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2025 Energy Program Compliance: Key Changes You Need to Know!

BER Energy Rating Standards 2025

It’s a new year, which means new program updates and compliance dates! Below is a comprehensive breakdown of important information regarding green building programs’ standards compliance. Important Program Compliance Dates Starting January 1st, 2025 ENERGY STAR Single Family New Homes (ES SFNH) Version 3.1 can still be used in most states. However, any home acquired…

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The Future of Cold Climate Home Heating

Cold climate heat pumps

States are moving to electrification and away from fossil fuel use. Wintertime heating is a big useof fuel – and switching to cold climate heat pumps is a huge step in the right direction. Many cold climate states have begun setting goals to lessen fossil fuels usage and more heat pump installations: Maine set a…

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Unboxing Universal Design

Purchasing or building a home is a wonderful lifetime investment that could lead to the growth of so many precious memories. When this occurs, you should always look to the future and carefully consider the wide range of possibilities that could happen. Universal Design (UD) is a concept that encapsulates this by encouraging thoughtful inclusivity…

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The Importance of HVAC Design for Energy Star Certified Homes

Achieving Energy Star certification for homes is a significant accomplishment that signifies a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability. The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) design plays a crucial role in obtaining and maintaining Energy Star certification for homes. With all the work you put in to achieving an ENERGY STAR certification, proper design…

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Unlocking the Secrets of Biophilic Design

Biophilic City Garden

Biophilic design is a concept that is an ancient concept that is making a comeback while adapting to modern building trends. The idea is to build and design homes that help people feel more connected to the natural world and environment. Modern-day society is highly clustered and industrially focused, and this can be seen even…

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Zeroing-in On Net-Zero Energy Homes

  Let’s understand that there is not a single, universally agreed upon definition of Net Zero Energy Buildings; as the zero-energy enigma lingers, the terms Zero Energy Building (ZEB) and Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) can be used interchangeably. The goal is to achieve an end result of zero energy. The Department of Energy (DOE) defines…

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2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award

BER Earns 2023 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award Building Efficiency Resources (BER) is proud to announce that it has received the 2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.   Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a group of businesses…

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Why Become a Certified HERS Rater

HERS Rater performing a blower door test.

Whether you have an established business in the building performance industry, or are transitioning into a new career field, adding RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater certification to your list of skills and services will create opportunities to succeed in the energy efficiency industry.   Qualifications of a Certified HERS Rater The RESNET HERS…

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