EEBA's High Performance Home Blog

The Three Pillars of a Great Window

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:29:00 GMT

When we think about building design, windows are often viewed as just a way to let in light. But at Wythe Windows, we see them differently. We believe a window is a high-performance machine, a critical component that defines a building’s comfort, efficiency, and longevity. A superior window is more than the sum of its parts. It's about how three essential components—profile, glass, and hardware—come together to deliver exceptional structural performance, air and water tightness, and aesthetic appeal. The Wythe Difference: Key Elements of Innovation 1. UPVC Extrusion with Six Thermal Layers The heart of our windows lies in the UPVC extrusion. Our design features six thermal chambers that provide unmatched insulation, keeping heat inside where it belongs. This is a key factor in achieving Passive House performance levels. 2. Steel Reinforcement for Ultimate Stability Every Wythe window is built with a 2mm steel U-channel. This "steel skeleton" provides incredible... read more

Building Smarter: How the X-Bracket System Helps Builders Deliver True Continuous Insulation

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:12:00 GMT

Why This Client Chose the X-Bracket System When our client, Brad from Texas, first came to us, he was wrestling with a common conundrum in high-performance homebuilding: his existing wall assemblies weren’t delivering the thermal performance, moisture control, or durability he wanted, and he was facing rising costs and labor headaches with traditional retrofit methods. Brad’s home has been growing with his family over the decades. Initially a single level, brick 1970’s home, they added a garage, then a master bedroom suite, bathroom renovations, additional bedrooms for children as their family grew, finally a bigger kitchen. The renovations were planned and worked well until about a decade ago when a contractor didn’t seal the new second story renovation well and they started experiencing leaks around the roof additions and along the seam of the first and second story. This unfortunately turned the renovations and expansions into repairs and ripping out large sections of their... read more

Weathertight in Six Days: New Hampshire Weather is No Match for High-Efficiency Panelized Home

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:36:00 GMT

Project: Custom Geothermal Home on Mount Washington Home Living Space: 2,500 square feet. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Builder/Developer: Building Alternatives Solution Provider: CertainTeed Solution: ONE PRECISION ASSEMBLIES™ Building Alternatives, a New Hampshire-based construction management and home building company founded in 1986, has distinguished itself as a leader in innovative energy-efficient construction. Co-founders Kathe and Bob Tortorice have decades of combined experience in construction, civil engineering, process design, project management, and more. And they are long-time adopters of offsite building practices, including modular, panelized, timber frame, and structural insulated panel (SIP) methods. In the past, offsite construction has enabled Building Alternatives to build faster and deliver higher quality, more cost-effective homes than stick building. But it also restricted the company at times by limiting their design options. So, when the... read more

EEBA Announces 2026 Board of Directors

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:19:00 GMT

Minneapolis, Minnesota – The Energy and Environment Building Alliance (EEBA) is pleased to announce its 2026 Board of Directors, welcoming new leadership to continue the organization’s mission to advance high-performance, healthy, and resilient homes across North America. The 2026 Board reflects a diverse cross-section of industry leaders whose expertise spans high-performance homebuilding, sustainability, innovation, and building science. Together, they will help guide EEBA’s strategic priorities, educational initiatives, and industry partnerships in the year ahead. 2026 Board Officers President – Karen Kicinski Karen Kicinski is the Marketing Director and Co-Owner of LifeStyle Homes, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. A long-time EEBA member and advocate for high-performance building, Karen brings extensive experience in builder engagements, marketing, and building science, particularly in hot-humid climates. Her leadership reflects EEBA’s commitment to... read more

Home Energy Management Systems: The Next Big Thing in HVAC

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:02:00 GMT

Author: Tyler Oehlman, Associate Director, Residential Systems Solutions Electricity demand in the United States is projected to rise 16% in the next five years, fueled by the explosive growth of data centers and advanced manufacturing. That increase places enormous pressure on utilities, grids and households. For the HVAC industry, it signals a turning point: comfort can no longer be separated from energy intelligence. Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) are stepping into this moment, transforming the way homeowners consume, store and share energy — and creating new opportunities for the HVAC contractors who install and maintain them. What are Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS)? HEMS integrate smart thermostats, connected appliances, solar panels, battery storage, and advanced software into one coordinated platform. These systems can give homeowners a better view of their energy use and the power to control it in real time. They also create a new class of “prosumers”—... read more

2025 Year in Review: Advancing High-Performance Building Together

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:56:00 GMT

As 2025 comes to a close, the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) celebrates another transformative year of education, recognition, and collaboration across the high-performance building industry. From expanding regional training opportunities to elevating our awards program and strengthening our builder networks, EEBA’s work this year reinforced a shared commitment to building homes—and communities—that perform for people and the planet. Expanding Impact Through Regional Trainings EEBA’s regional training series reached new audiences across Georgia, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Minnesota, empowering residential building professionals with the latest building science knowledge and hands-on guidance. These two-day sessions focused on the updated Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Version 2 program (now the Efficient New Homes Program) and the ENERGY STAR NextGen Builder requirements—two critical pathways for builders aiming to stay ahead of rapidly evolving codes,... read more

What are Home Buyers’ Concerns? Uncovering Common Client Objections

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:23:00 GMT

Qwahn Kent - November 3, 2025 The custom home building market is experiencing a period of significant transformation. According to recent data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), new home construction has remained volatile in recent years, with builders navigating fluctuating material costs, labor shortages, and shifting buyer preferences. Despite these challenges, the built-to-order segment continues to represent a substantial portion of new home sales, with approximately 20-25% of new single-family homes being custom or semi-custom builds. Recent industry reports suggest that the average time from initial contact to signed contract in custom home building can range from three to six months, significantly longer than traditional home purchases. This extended sales cycle means that understanding and effectively addressing client objections isn't just important, it's essential for closing deals and maintaining healthy conversion rates. But what are buyers... read more

Transforming Our Communities Into Grid Assets

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:11:00 GMT

Part of what happens on the power grid starts in the homes we build. As energy demand continues to climb, the challenge - and opportunity - for builders is clear: how can we transform homes from energy consumers into energy producers and contributors to a more stable, sustainable grid? In the session Transforming Our Communities Into Grid Assets, panelists Megan Cordes, Director of Sustainability and Building Science at Beazer Homes; Joel Abney, Vice President of Operations at SH Residential Holdings, LLC; Matt Brost, Vice President of New Home Sales at Sunrun; and Chip Silverman, Director of Grid Services and Virtual Power Plants at Sunrun; came together to explore how forward-thinking builders and technology partners are reshaping the future of community energy. The Power Grid Is Changing The conversation began with a look at how our electrical grid has evolved - and where it’s headed. Panelists noted that the original grid was never designed for today’s rapidly... read more

Leveraging HERS Scores to Receive Higher Appraisal Values

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:38:00 GMT

Capturing the Value of High-Performance Homes Through Better Appraisals In today’s home-building environment, one of the toughest challenges is securing appraisal values that reflect the true performance and efficiency of high-performance homes. Although builders are investing in superior insulation, systems, and envelope quality, the market has frequently failed to reward those efforts. That is changing—and this 2025 Summit session recap explains how. Building the Case for Value When builders deliver homes that offer better comfort, lower utility bills, and longer durability, the expectation is that value follows. However, the appraisal and lending system has historically lagged behind. In a recent panel discussion, this issue was addressed head-on: Builders often report that even after constructing homes with excellent efficiency (for example, a home with a HERS score of –17), the appraisal came in significantly under the construction cost or expected... read more

Healthier Homes Begin with Healthier Building Materials

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:19:00 GMT

At EEBA’s 2025 Summit, one of the most forward-looking sessions—“Healthier Homes Begin with Healthier Building Materials”—showcased how builders, manufacturers, and innovators are coming together to make healthier, more sustainable homes the new standard. Moderated by Corey White of the Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC), the session featured Paul Shahri (Ecomedes), Colin Harrington (Saint-Gobain North America), Andrew Guido and Andrew Bowerbank (Empire Communities), and Aaron Smith (EEBA). Together, they explored how data, transparency, and collaboration are transforming how we source and select materials for residential construction. Transparency Drives Healthier Building EEBA CEO Aaron Smith opened with a powerful reminder that home health begins with material health. After learning how toxins from 9/11 cleanup sites caused ongoing harm to responders, he became an early advocate for Health Product Declarations (HPDs) and Environmental Product Declarations... read more

Navigating Choppy Waters: How Leading Builders Are Advancing High-Performance Homes Amid Change

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:35:00 GMT

At EEBA’s 2025 High Performance Home Builder Summit, the “The Sustainability Waters Have Gotten a Bit Choppy...So What Now? ” panel brought together a powerhouse lineup of North American builders and sustainability leaders to confront the question on everyone’s mind: What happens when federal programs shift and incentives fade—but our commitment to high-performance building remains? Moderated by Sean Hunter, DuPont’s Global Sustainability Lead, the session featured Aaron Smith (EEBA), Doug Tarry (Doug Tarry Homes), Megan Cordis (Beazer Homes), Stephen Myers (Thrive Home Builders), and Tim O’Brien (Tim O’Brien Homes). Together, they navigated today’s policy changes, affordability pressures, and carbon challenges—all while staying true to their mission: to build homes that are energy efficient, resilient, and healthy for the people who live in them. The Shifting Federal Landscape EEBA CEO Aaron Smith opened the discussion by acknowledging uncertainty around key federal... read more

Building Better, Together: Lessons from the EEBA Opening Legends Panel

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:18:00 GMT

The 2025 EEBA High Performance Home Summit opened with a powerhouse lineup of industry pioneers—Mark LaLiberte, Dr. Joseph Lstiburek, Gord Cooke, Sam Rashkin, and Gene Myers—each offering decades of wisdom, humor, and perspective on where high-performance building has been and where it’s going. Moderated by Laura Dwyer, the “Legends” panel celebrated both the evolution and the enduring purpose of building better homes. Mark LaLiberte: Knowledge Shared is Knowledge Multiplied Mark LaLiberte opened with stories from EEBA’s early days, when building science was taught via overhead slides and hair dryers thawed out snow-covered film trays. His central message was timeless: education is everything. “Knowledge shared is really knowledge multiplied,” LaLiberte said, reminding attendees that spreading what we know is key to moving the industry forward. He emphasized that building better is not just about innovation, but about execution, and that the responsibility to educate the... read more

From Overhead Projectors to High-Performance Homes: EEBA’s 42-Year Journey of Impact

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:42:00 GMT

When it comes to progress in high-performance homebuilding, the latest technologies — like net zero homes, decarbonization strategies, and advanced materials — often take center stage. But these innovations are built on a foundation of collaboration, learning, and long-term effort. For more than 40 years, the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) has supported the industry through education and practical guidance, helping builders and partners navigate these changes. At the 2025 High Performance Home Builder Summit, Pat Huelman, a longtime building science professor and EEBA leader, took the stage to remind attendees where it all began. With a mix of humor and heart, he brought the audience on a “trip in the Wayback Machine,” reflecting on EEBA’s origins, evolution, and enduring mission to create better buildings and a better world. The Early Days: A Movement Takes Shape EEBA’s story began in 1983, following the Superinsulation Conference held in Rochester, ... read more

The Unmatched Energy Efficiency of Premier SIPS: A Smarter Way to Build

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:40:00 GMT

In construction energy efficiency should be more than an afterthought; it should be integral to your building design. This is where Premier Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) come in, providing a building envelope solution that is leaps and bounds more energy-efficient than traditional stick-framed construction. But how do SIPs achieve this superior performance? Let's break it down. ⇒ VIEW PORTFOLIO: Get a glimpse of extreme energy-saving projects! Take a peak through our portfolio of high-performing commercial and residential projects to see some off-the-charts net-zero, positive energy, Passive, and LEED Certified Premier SIPS buildings across North America. SIPs at a Glance Fact: A SIP structure is up to 15 times more airtight than traditional stick framing, which means less energy wasted on heating and cooling. SIPs are a smart, integrated solution for your building envelope, combining four critical components—structure, insulation, an air barrier, and a... read more

Industry Trailblazers Recognized at 2025 EEBA Building Excellence Awards

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:13:00 GMT

2025 Building Excellence Awards Recognize Innovation and Leadership in High-Performance Homebuilding The 2025 Building Excellence Awards brought together leading builders, suppliers, and partners to honor the dedication and innovation shaping the future of high-performance homebuilding. Hosted by EEBA, the event highlighted achievements in sustainability, electrification, resiliency, decarbonization, healthier homes, and Zero Energy Ready Homes (ZERH). "We honor the projects that inspire, the people who lead with vision, and the relentless efforts that have helped shape a better built environment over the past year," said Aaron Smith, CEO of EEBA. "Together, we’re not only building homes - but we’re also building the future." Sustainability Leader Awards Excellence in Electrification Award – Sponsored by Xcel Energy: Celebrating the home that delivers climate, health, and economic benefits through all-electric strategies. Nominees: Doug Tarry Homes (The Ashton), ... read more

Panasonic OASYS™: Transforming Indoor Air Quality and Efficiency in High-Performance Homes

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 18:59:00 GMT

By Ken Nelson, Group Sales Manager, Ventilation When it comes to building high performance homes, the air inside matters just as much as the walls, roof, or floors. Indoor air quality (IAQ) has moved to the forefront of home design, with homeowners and builders alike recognizing its impact on health, comfort, and long-term energy costs. In an era when people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, proper ventilation, filtration, and humidity control are no longer optional, they’re essential. Panasonic OASYS™ meets this need as groundbreaking Whole Home Air Quality Management System. Debuted in the OASYS Concept Home in March 2025 in Houston, Texas, OASYS represents a new way to experience indoor air, giving builders an innovative tool to deliver cleaner, more comfortable, and more efficient high-performance homes. OASYS: A Unified, Smarter HVAC System Panasonic’s OASYS™ Whole Home Air Quality Management System is more than an HVAC upgrade – it’s a fully electric... read more

Workforce Ready: Training the Next Generation of HVAC Pros

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 19:00:00 GMT

The HVAC industry is facing a significant challenge: a growing labor shortage that threatens to impact the quality and availability of services. As seasoned professionals retire and the demand for HVAC services continues to rise, the need for skilled technicians has never been greater. To address this issue and elevate the trade, Carrier and other organizations are making substantial investments in technician training, apprenticeships, and upskilling programs.

Exponential Growth for the Zero Energy Ready Home Program

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Thu, 29 May 2025 17:19:00 GMT

Exponential Growth 2024 was a banner year for the Zero Energy Ready Home program seeing the most single-family home certifications in the program’s 11-year history. In 2024, nearly 15,000 homes were certified, more than double the previous record of 6,500 certified homes in 2023. The record year also pushed the program over 32,000 certified homes. National production builders such as Beazer Homes and K. Hovnanian becoming ZERH partners contributed substantially to the growth in 2024, but with 20 different states experiencing a 50% increase in certified ZERH homes the program is garnering more attention from builders and homebuyers across the country. With a nearly 125% increase in certifications from 2023-2024, multifamily and manufactured housing program versions available, and the continued rebates and incentives from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the ZERH program is primed for continued success into 2025 and beyond. Some highlights from the 2024 calendar year include:... read more

Carrier's Sustainable and High-Efficiency Solutions for Home Builders

gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin) — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 18:21:00 GMT

As we celebrate Earth Month, it's important to recognize the role that sustainable and high-efficiency solutions play in protecting our planet. Carrier, a global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is dedicated to providing innovative products for home builders that reduce environmental impact and drive progress for the planet. This Earth Month, let's explore how Carrier is making a difference with its commitment to sustainability. High-Efficiency Solutions for a Greener Future Carrier's high-efficiency solutions are designed to meet the needs of both single and multi-family real estate owners. The Infinity Heat Pump with Greenspeed Technology is a prime example of Carrier's innovative approach to energy-efficient heating and cooling. This heat pump operates efficiently at lower temperatures and uses electricity instead of fossil fuels, which can help reduce carbon emissions and overall energy costs compared to a gas furnace. In dual fuel applications, building ... read more

Earth Day Feature ERTH360

merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:45:00 GMT

At EEBA, we’re proud to have innovators in our community like ERTH360, a solutions provider for homebuilders committed to creating healthier homes. ERTH360’s holistic approach, rooted in the science of building biology, focuses on using natural building materials, abundant ventilation, natural light, and humidity control to promote health and well-being. Their mission is simple yet powerful: Everyone deserves to live in a home that nurtures their health. This commitment to healthier living spaces is why we were thrilled to honor the Empire x ERTH360 Discovery Home with the 2024 EEBA Excellence Award for Healthier Homes! This groundbreaking project, designed and built by ERTH360 and Empire Communities, serves as a proof-of-concept for how innovative design, materials, and processes can redefine production homebuilding to prioritize health, wellness, and sustainability. Learn more about the Discovery Home: Visit the ERTH360 website. And don’t miss our interview with Andrew ... read more