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HPC Working For You: Climate Change & Carbon Reduction
Deborah E. Miller
HPC develops new approaches to federal, state and local policies that promote growth in the residential energy efficiency sector through research, education, and policy analysis. HPC works with stakeholders to resolve the most serious issues facing the residential energy efficiency industry and is a focal point for collaborative efforts on data standardization, program cost-effectiveness testing, weatherization, the valuation of home energy efficiency in the real estate market, and the integration of smart grid technology with ... [continue reading]
New Report Shows Big Jump in Net-Zero Energy Homes
Shilpa Sankaran
Net-zero energy homes seem to be growing their way out of a purely niche market. The number of zero energy residential units—homes that produce as much energy as they consume—in the United States and Canada grew 33% over the previous year, according to a new report by the Net Zero Energy Coalition titled “To Zero and Beyond: 2016.” A total of 8,203 single family and multifamily units were counted in 2016, up from ... [continue reading]
The Results Are In: These Are The Most Energy-Efficient Utilities in the US
Grace Relf
Our first-ever scorecard of US utilities, released today, reveals striking regional differences and the best — and worst — performers on energy efficiency. The 2017 Utility Energy Efficiency Scorecard looks at the performance of the 51 largest electric utilities in the United States and highlights cutting-edge efforts. Topping the list are Eversource Massachusetts and National Grid Massachusetts, which both earned the same score. Rounding out the top five are Pacific Gas & Electric, Baltimore Gas & Electric, and Eversource ... [continue reading]
Good Intentions, Poor Results
Charles Cormany
Without a doubt, there are many policies that have been successful. California’s strict building codes have reduced energy use per capita and are responsible for eliminating the need to build 15-20 new power plants over the last 30 years. This is a great result and job well done. [continue reading]
Women in Building Performance: Cynthia Adams
Macie Melendez
Cynthia Adams is the CEO of Pearl, a national home certification company, which certifies home features that contribute to its comfort, energy performance, and indoor air quality. As a third-party certification company, Pearl provides independent documentation for refinance or resale (think Carfax for homes). [continue reading]
Many Good Reasons to Attend the North American Passive House Network 2017 Conference
Rob Nicely
You may be asking, “Why should I attend the North American Passive House Network conference and what’s in it for me?” I can answer honestly…a great deal. There’s a heightened awareness of the building industry’s ability to turn the tide of carbon emissions that are influencing climate change; and move to greater dependence on renewable energy resources. In 2010, the building sector accounted for 32% of global ... [continue reading]
Help Home Energy Magazine Go Digital
Macie Melendez
Thousands of homes waste energy every day. Energy is wasted because there are small cracks and leaks in walls, doors, windows, and ceilings, which make a home too hot or too cold for its occupants. In response, homeowners and renters turn up their air conditioners and heaters. Who can blame them? We all want to live in comfortable homes. By doing this, however, they are also heating or cooling the air that’s leaving ... [continue reading]
First-Ever Comprehensive National Standard Practice Manual is Updated Guidebook for Energy Efficiency Cost-Benefit Analysis
Carina Daniels
The first-ever comprehensive national guide for utility-funded energy efficiency programs is now available to help utilities, regulators and other interested stakeholders make the best possible energy efficiency decisions for their jurisdictions. [continue reading]
Greening the TMLS: Seeking Value for Energy Upgrades in NC's Existing Homes
Julie Caracino and Joe Cullen
Julie Caracino, HPC's Director of Research & Standards and Joe Cullen, HPC's Director of Policy & State Outreach talked with Ryan Miller of North Carolina Building Performance Association (NCBPA) on his work with the Triangle Multiple Listing Services to facilitate the accurate valuation of energy efficient homes in North Carolina. Learn what Ryan had to say about these standards, his involvement with NCBPA, and other southeastern states' future involvement. [continue reading]
The Legends of Home Performance: John Straube
Macie Melendez
John Straube is a professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada, as well principal and senior building science specialist at RDH Building Science, Inc. He's also one of our featured Legends of Home Performance. [continue reading]
