Everyone is talking about getting to zero energy by 2030. It’s easy to say, but very hard to do. What is the process and how do we ratchet down our EUI on each project? How can goal setting and... Full Description

While thermal bridging is widely acknowledged to exist in modern commercial building envelopes, little is known on the significance of its impact. Utilizing infrared images taken from targeted... Full Description

The U.S. energy system is undergoing a remarkable transformation to decentralized and renewable power. Transportation and heating are becoming electrified.

Leaders of one of the world’s largest toilet manufacturers and a visionary nonprofit will share stories from the leading edge of current water conservation technologies, and a future of entirely... Full Description

Every project is a learning experience. On some projects, we set out deliberately to learn new tricks. Mark Doughty, a luxury home builder near Boston, sought out Zero Energy Design to help him... Full Description

Energy storage technologies such as batteries, flywheels and thermal storage are poised to reshape our energy systems at the scales of the grid, communities, buildings and vehicles, and the... Full Description

With its smaller carbon footprint, timber construction should be considered alongside steel and concrete to build both low and mid-rise projects. This session will introduce innovations in timber... Full Description

Airtightness testing has long—since the 1980’s—been used to test high-performance housing. The 2012 version of the International Residential Code requires testing of every new home. Recently there... Full Description

PHI stands by 4.75kbtu/sq ft/yr for AHD. PHIUS has recently reworked its performance standard. Energy Star now has Version III. Living Building Challenge requires net zero. Green building... Full Description

We will show two mid-rise multi-family projects in the northeast that meet either the Passive House or PHIUS+ building energy standard. The Distillery’s 28-unit Phase 1 building in South Boston,... Full Description

Energy storage technologies are receiving a great deal of attention and investment. This second of two sessions will take a closer look at energy storage applications, business models, case... Full Description

How well does central ventilation equipment actually perform? VEIC and CLEAResult have respectively conducted field monitoring of Roof Top Units in commercial/institutional buildings and central... Full Description

 This course touches on some of the considerations one should make when designing and planing an automated biomass heating system.​ It will cover fuel choice and logistical advantages, equipment... Full Description

Schools provide complex puzzles for the architects and engineers who engage them. In this panel discussion, two high performance firms and their construction and engineering partners will discuss... Full Description

You care about the environment, climate change and sustainability. You want to do your part to make existing homes more energy efficient. But all your customers want are new kitchens, better... Full Description

Spray foam is an essential tool in the high performance building toolbox, yet many builders have concerns about using the material including subpar installations; how to protect workers, occupants... Full Description

A panel of Architects and Manufacturers steeped in the offsite construction industry will discuss the future of offsite construction. Topics include the stigma of the industry itself in the US... Full Description

This session will be a workshop focused on design and refinement of strategies to reduce the exposure to traffic-related pollution for people who live and attend school in buildings that are near... Full Description

Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) can provide cost-effective power, heating, and cooling, reduced emissions, lower costs, and energy surety—under the right conditions. But how do we... Full Description

The LED revolution has come a long way, and options for the retail consumer are hugely improved in just the past two years. Now many models of screw-in LEDs exceed the efficiency of CFLs. And... Full Description

The terms “sustainability” and “resilience” drive us to address a bigger, long term picture while managing the details at hand. The skills needed to accomplish this feat of ever-changing... Full Description

Pressure sensitive tapes (PSAa) can make or break the continuity of your air and weather barrier—ensuring a durable, high performing enclosure, or putting it at risk. Yet we have little way of... Full Description

Net Zero Energy Buildings have reaching a tipping point. The economic limitations that restricted their success in the past have changed drastically and the technologies needed to achieve Net Zero... Full Description

This session will educate participants on drivers, tools, and trends for healthier materials selection. As LEED v4 and the Living Building Challenge's Materials Petal become mainstream, designers... Full Description

While few argue about the importance of resilience in an age of climate change (with more intense storms, rising sea levels, more frequent drought, and worsening heat waves), there remains little... Full Description

Three experienced practitioners will demonstrate that we needn’t (shouldn’t?) be captive to foam in the high performance building industry by showing practical solutions that eliminate foam in new... Full Description

The selection of a glazing type for a project is based on factors like thermal performance, impact on occupant thermal comfort and cost. Double pane glazing units with a room-side low-e coating... Full Description

In recent years, increasing levels of distributed generation have led to challenging questions about how utilities charge customers for the electricity they use. To date, this has largely been a... Full Description

As much as it is about expert, experienced practitioners exchanging ideas, Building Energy is also about fostering the next generation of sustainable energy leaders. And, it’s a two-way street.... Full Description