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

In the United States we have historically thought in terms of high-performance buildings: we set our boundary conditions at the lot line. But buildings only work in a context of networks and grids... 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

As the A&E industry continues to focus on improving the energy performance of buildings, it’s clear that some energy saving measures are outside the designer’s control. Occupants play a... 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

To vent or not to vent? To insulate outboard or inboard? To provide details or just let contractors wing it? These are some of the questions two pros, who spend a good portion of their work days... Full Description

Solar policies continue to evolve at breakneck pace, making it challenging to keep on top of all of the latest. Which types of proposals are likely to catch on and drive the industry as it... Full Description

Cornell University is developing a satellite campus in New York City called Cornell Tech, whose academic curriculum will focus on the disciplines of science including engineering and new... Full Description

Air leakage is an important consideration in all construction. Tighter buildings are more energy efficient and comfortable. Although large buildings are rarely blower door tested, architects,... Full Description

How do we turn the "problem" of suburbia into an enormous opportunity to create a set of resilient systems that can adapt to a changing world? Learn how a holistic design process and a whole-... Full Description

In May of 2011, TD Bank opened the first zero net energy bank in the United States. The LEED Platinum certified store, which is located in Ft Lauderdale, FL, achieved net zero operations in 2012... Full Description

A modular home factory in Wilder, VT has opened to build zero-net energy mobile home replacement units. While there have been other efforts to replace mobile homes outside Vermont, they have done... Full Description

In the world of multi-family housing every operational dollar is earmarked, budgeted, and designated. For both Selfhelp Community Services, owning/operating 960 units, and POAH, owning/operating... 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

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

Quality experts estimate that 25-40% of dollars spent by typical businesses is waste. Companies focused on quality spend less, reduce waste, cut operating costs, and invest in processes that... Full Description

Connected devices like the Nest Learning Thermostat provide an unprecedented amount of data about home energy usage patterns. This data can be used to further our understanding of how homes really... Full Description

Recent developments in the field of building simulation and computing power are allowing architects to effectively move performance analysis of designs into the early stages of the design process... 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