Skip to content

The Future of Cold Climate Home Heating

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Operational vs Embodied Carbon

What is the difference between operational carbon and embodied carbon? What it is and why you should care: Carbon vs… Carbon?  In the field of green building and the sustainable built environment, the term “carbon” is commonly used as shorthand terminology for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, measured in units of CO2e or equivalent CO2 emissions.…

Read More

2021 IECC Climate Zones and Implications for ENERGY STAR Updates

Are you working in a new Climate Zone? Last month, the EPA finalized the new program requirements for Single Family Version 3.2 and Multifamily Version 1.2, and formal release is anticipated this coming fall. These program updates align with the 2021 IECC codes and thus will be implemented in states that adopt the 2021 IECC or…

Read More