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    <title>EEBA's High Performance Home Blog</title>
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      <title>Solar Confidence in Commercial Construction</title>
      <description><![CDATA[Written by: Andrew Wickham, the Senior Director of Solar Products at CertainTeed, where he leads the development of innovative solar roofing and energy solutions for residential and commercial applications.

Project: New office building, Sarmiento’s Roofing, Oregon | Building Type: New-construction commercial office (~11,000 sq. ft.) | Solar / Roofing Contractor: Sarmiento’s Roofing, LLC |Solution Provider: CertainTeed 

The Project 

In 2024, Sarmiento’s Roofing, LLC completed a brand-new, 11,000-square-foot, wood-frame office, showroom and shop in Salem, Oregon. For owner Santiago Sarmiento, the roof was more than a building component, it was a proving ground. 

As a roofing and solar contractor, he wanted his own facility to showcase where the industry is heading: integrated solar roofing that looks like a traditional roof, protects like a premium roofing system, and delivers real energy savings. 

A major motivator came from Oregon’s rapidly changing energy landscape.... <a href='https://eeba.org/solar-confidence-in-commercial-construction-'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/solar-confidence-in-commercial-construction-</link>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>The connected comfort movement: Integrating smart HVAC, safety, and water solutions for energy efficient homes</title>
      <description><![CDATA[By: JD Wix, Senior Director, Vertical Markets at Resideo

 



As homes become more connected, the conversation around energy efficiency is expanding beyond insulation, solar panels, and building envelopes. Today’s high-performance homes rely on intelligent systems that not only conserve resources but also help make everyday living safer and more efficient.

 



Resideo Technologies, Inc., through its trusted Honeywell Home® and First Alert® brands, is helping builders deliver that future – one where energy management, water conservation, and life safety technologies work together in harmony. From thermostats that anticipate homeowners’ energy needs, to sensors that stop water leaks before damage occurs, these innovations are helping shape the future of eco-friendly, smart construction.

 



Smart energy management: Comfort that saves

 



Heating and cooling account for roughly half of a home’s total energy consumption, making HVAC systems an extremely... <a href='https://eeba.org/the-connected-comfort-movement-integrating-smart-hvac-safety-and-water-solutions-for-energy-efficient-homes'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/the-connected-comfort-movement-integrating-smart-hvac-safety-and-water-solutions-for-energy-efficient-homes</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/the-connected-comfort-movement-integrating-smart-hvac-safety-and-water-solutions-for-energy-efficient-homes</comments>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Energy Resilience in New Homes</title>
      <description><![CDATA[Today’s residential homebuilders are operating in a remarkably complex market. Elevated mortgage rates, stubborn construction costs, and a pressing home affordability crisis have slowed sales velocity and forced builders to rethink traditional incentives. In recent years, builders have relied on design center credits or mortgage rate buy-downs to attract buyers. However, these are short term fixes that directly dilute a builder’s margins.

Forward-thinking builders can now shift their strategy from these buyer concessions to a permanent reduction in a home’s monthly operating costs. In the Greater Houston area, energy has become one of a household’s largest operational expenses outside of the mortgage payment itself. By rethinking how communities are powered, builders can fundamentally lower this ongoing cost for homeowners while securing a distinct competitive advantage.

Through a strategic partnership in Texas with Reliant Energy, Sunrun is deploying a modern grid... <a href='https://eeba.org/energy-resilience-in-new-homes'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/energy-resilience-in-new-homes</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/energy-resilience-in-new-homes</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/energy-resilience-in-new-homes</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>EEBA Summit Session Recap: Lessons Learned on Healthier, Lower-Carbon, and More Resilient Homes</title>
      <description><![CDATA[At the 2025 EEBA Summit, a panel of builders and building science professionals, Andrew Guido, Tim O'Brien, Bill Rectanus, Gord Cooke, Bill Shadid, came together for a practical, candid discussion on what it really takes to deliver healthier, lower-carbon, and more resilient homes in today’s market. The tone wasn’t theoretical—it was grounded in field experience, trade-offs, and lessons learned from actual projects.

The session was structured as a “lessons learned” conversation, moving through three major themes: healthy housing, carbon reduction, and resilience, followed by an open discussion on what’s working—and what isn’t—in real-world implementation.

Healthy Homes: Building Science That Starts With Air

The discussion opened with healthier homes, a topic that has been part of high-performance building conversations for years but continues to evolve in practice.

Building science expert Gord Cooke emphasized that “health” in housing is broader than most people assume. It ... <a href='https://eeba.org/eeba-summit-session-recap-lessons-learned-on-healthier-lower-carbon-and-more-resilient-homes'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/eeba-summit-session-recap-lessons-learned-on-healthier-lower-carbon-and-more-resilient-homes</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/eeba-summit-session-recap-lessons-learned-on-healthier-lower-carbon-and-more-resilient-homes</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/eeba-summit-session-recap-lessons-learned-on-healthier-lower-carbon-and-more-resilient-homes</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 18:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>A Firsthand Look Inside the IBHS Research Center</title>
      <description><![CDATA[Recently, we had the opportunity to take an exclusive tour of the IBHS Research Center in Richburg, South Carolina—a world-class facility dedicated to advancing building science and improving the resilience of homes and communities.

The IBHS Research Center is operated by the Insurance Institute for Business &amp; Home Safety, an independent, nonprofit research organization supported by the property insurance industry. Its mission is to translate science into action by identifying how buildings perform under real-world natural hazards and using that knowledge to reduce future losses and improve construction practices.

What makes this facility truly unique is its ability to recreate severe weather conditions at full scale. On its 90-acre campus, researchers can simulate high winds, wind-driven rain, hail, wildfire ember exposure, and other extreme events to study how residential and commercial structures respond. This includes the massive 6-story test chamber equipped with a wall ... <a href='https://eeba.org/a-firsthand-look-inside-the-ibhs-research-center'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/a-firsthand-look-inside-the-ibhs-research-center</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/a-firsthand-look-inside-the-ibhs-research-center</comments>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 15:27:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>The Three Pillars of a Great Window</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/the-three-pillars-of-a-great-window'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/the-three-pillars-of-a-great-window</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/the-three-pillars-of-a-great-window</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/the-three-pillars-of-a-great-window</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Building Smarter: How the X-Bracket System Helps Builders Deliver True Continuous Insulation</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/building-smarter-how-the-x-bracket-system-helps-builders-deliver-true-continuous-insulation'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/building-smarter-how-the-x-bracket-system-helps-builders-deliver-true-continuous-insulation</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/building-smarter-how-the-x-bracket-system-helps-builders-deliver-true-continuous-insulation</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/building-smarter-how-the-x-bracket-system-helps-builders-deliver-true-continuous-insulation</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Weathertight in Six Days: New Hampshire Weather is No Match for High-Efficiency Panelized Home</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/weathertight-in-six-days-new-hampshire-weather-is-no-match-for-high-efficiency-panelized-home'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/weathertight-in-six-days-new-hampshire-weather-is-no-match-for-high-efficiency-panelized-home</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/weathertight-in-six-days-new-hampshire-weather-is-no-match-for-high-efficiency-panelized-home</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/weathertight-in-six-days-new-hampshire-weather-is-no-match-for-high-efficiency-panelized-home</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>EEBA Announces 2026 Board of Directors</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/eeba-announces-2026-board-of-directors'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/eeba-announces-2026-board-of-directors</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/eeba-announces-2026-board-of-directors</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/eeba-announces-2026-board-of-directors</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Home Energy Management Systems: The Next Big Thing in HVAC</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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”—... <a href='https://eeba.org/home-energy-management-systems-the-next-big-thing-in-hvac'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/home-energy-management-systems-the-next-big-thing-in-hvac</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/home-energy-management-systems-the-next-big-thing-in-hvac</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/home-energy-management-systems-the-next-big-thing-in-hvac</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>2025 Year in Review: Advancing High-Performance Building Together</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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,... <a href='https://eeba.org/2025-year-in-review-advancing-high-performance-building-together'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/2025-year-in-review-advancing-high-performance-building-together</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/2025-year-in-review-advancing-high-performance-building-together</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/2025-year-in-review-advancing-high-performance-building-together</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>What are Home Buyers’ Concerns? Uncovering Common Client Objections</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/what-are-home-buyers-concerns-uncovering-common-client-objections'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/what-are-home-buyers-concerns-uncovering-common-client-objections</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/what-are-home-buyers-concerns-uncovering-common-client-objections</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/what-are-home-buyers-concerns-uncovering-common-client-objections</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Transforming Our Communities Into Grid Assets</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/transforming-our-communities-into-grid-assets-'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/transforming-our-communities-into-grid-assets-</link>
      <author>gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/transforming-our-communities-into-grid-assets-</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/transforming-our-communities-into-grid-assets-</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Leveraging HERS Scores to Receive Higher Appraisal Values</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/leveraging-hers-scores-to-receive-higher-appraisal-values'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/leveraging-hers-scores-to-receive-higher-appraisal-values</link>
      <author>merielle@eeba.org (Merielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/leveraging-hers-scores-to-receive-higher-appraisal-values</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/leveraging-hers-scores-to-receive-higher-appraisal-values</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Healthier Homes Begin with Healthier Building Materials</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/healthier-homes-begin-with-healthier-building-materials'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/healthier-homes-begin-with-healthier-building-materials</link>
      <author>gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/healthier-homes-begin-with-healthier-building-materials</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/healthier-homes-begin-with-healthier-building-materials</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Navigating Choppy Waters: How Leading Builders Are Advancing High-Performance Homes Amid Change</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/navigating-choppy-waters-how-leading-builders-are-advancing-high-performance-homes-amid-change'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/navigating-choppy-waters-how-leading-builders-are-advancing-high-performance-homes-amid-change</link>
      <author>gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/navigating-choppy-waters-how-leading-builders-are-advancing-high-performance-homes-amid-change</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/navigating-choppy-waters-how-leading-builders-are-advancing-high-performance-homes-amid-change</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Building Better, Together: Lessons from the EEBA Opening Legends Panel</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/building-better-together-lessons-from-the-eeba-opening-legends-panel'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/building-better-together-lessons-from-the-eeba-opening-legends-panel</link>
      <author>gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/building-better-together-lessons-from-the-eeba-opening-legends-panel</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/building-better-together-lessons-from-the-eeba-opening-legends-panel</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>From Overhead Projectors to High-Performance Homes: EEBA’s 42-Year Journey of Impact</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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 &amp; 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, ... <a href='https://eeba.org/from-overhead-projectors-to-high-performance-homes-eeba’s-42-year-journey-of-impact'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/from-overhead-projectors-to-high-performance-homes-eeba’s-42-year-journey-of-impact</link>
      <author>gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/from-overhead-projectors-to-high-performance-homes-eeba’s-42-year-journey-of-impact</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/from-overhead-projectors-to-high-performance-homes-eeba’s-42-year-journey-of-impact</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>The Unmatched Energy Efficiency of Premier SIPS: A Smarter Way to Build</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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... <a href='https://eeba.org/the-unmatched-energy-efficiency-of-premier-sips-a-smarter-way-to-build'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/the-unmatched-energy-efficiency-of-premier-sips-a-smarter-way-to-build</link>
      <author>gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/the-unmatched-energy-efficiency-of-premier-sips-a-smarter-way-to-build</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/the-unmatched-energy-efficiency-of-premier-sips-a-smarter-way-to-build</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Industry Trailblazers Recognized at 2025 EEBA Building Excellence Awards</title>
      <description><![CDATA[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), ... <a href='https://eeba.org/industry-trailblazers-recognized-at-2025-building-excellence-awards'>read more</a><div class='excerptspacer'>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
      <link>https://eeba.org/industry-trailblazers-recognized-at-2025-building-excellence-awards</link>
      <author>gabrielle@eeba.org (Gabrielle McLaughlin)</author>
      <comments>https://eeba.org/industry-trailblazers-recognized-at-2025-building-excellence-awards</comments>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://eeba.org/industry-trailblazers-recognized-at-2025-building-excellence-awards</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
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