GreenBuild
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 MoreUnlocking the Secrets of Biophilic Design
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 MoreZeroing-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 More2023 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 More2022 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award
BER Earns 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award Building Efficiency Resources (BER) is proud to announce that it has received the 2022 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…
Read MoreHow to become a LEED Green Rater, and Why You Should!
Just like you, BER is in the building performance industry, innovating, leading, and demanding better, for the benefit of our planet and all beings that inhabit it. We are working together to create a healthier planet that not only supports us but allows us to thrive. LEED, a green building rating system created by U.S.…
Read More3.1 Homes/1.1 MFNC Transition Update
The EPA is continuing to review and evaluate comments received on the proposed Single-Family New Homes (SFNH) National Version 3.2 and Multifamily New Construction (MFNC) National Version 1.2 program requirements, as well as the proposed new Next Generation program. However, in the interest of providing partners with the maximum amount of time to prepare for the…
Read More3 Pathways to ENERGY STAR MFNC
We know the 3 pathways to ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction can be confusing, so as the Pro’s Pro, we are breaking it down. The BER Knowledge Base, accessible through the BER Portal, has more information on the 3 pathways. You can also check out this guide provided by ENERGY STAR. Work with BER as…
Read MoreThe Importance of Right-Sizing HVAC Equipment
Imagine spending your first summer in a newly built, super-efficient, lakeside dream-house and found out that it was unable to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. That is exactly what happened with one house in the northern Midwest that BER happened to be performing a field quality assurance review on! The owners spared no expense on…
Read MoreBER Recognized as EPA Multifamily Review Organization
BER is proud to announce that we have been recognized by the EPA as a Multifamily Review Organization (MRO)! We are one of only four organizations nationwide holding this designation. An MRO is a third-party organization recognized by the EPA to provide oversight for multifamily projects pursuing certification under the ENERGY STAR Multifamily High-Rise program…
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