Better Homes, Better Future

The consumer mindset around what is desired in a home is constantly evolving. Review the latest survey insights from homeowners and single-family renters from around the country. Dive deep into energy awareness, motives, and the current mindset of home occupants. Get a glimpse into consumers' understanding of different energy-efficient programs and terminology and future plans for living more sustainably. Data, design, and marketing messages are paired with real-world examples of how to apply this to the future of homes and communities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discover consumers' awareness and understanding of environmental factors and terminology;

2. Utilize consumer survey results to adjust your home designs and/or marketing messages;

3. Understand the latest consumer mindset on healthy homes;

4. Gain an understanding of the top motivators for consumers regarding health, wellness, and energy efficiency as they pertain to the home.

States and local governments around the county have set ambitious climate goals that center net zero newly constructed buildings as a key component to meeting these goals. Two new models are now available to help jurisdictions achieve their climate goals: New York State Stretch Energy Code (NYStretch) and the Zero Energy Appendix in the 2021 IECC. The nearly finalized NYStretch development process has taken the recent IECC credits approach to the next level. This credit system provides flexibility and refocuses on decarbonization and resilience in buildings as the objective. The development of the NYStretch took a unique approach to cost analysis considering that electrifying now is cheaper than retrofit and future fuel projections are highly variable. The Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) Appendix to the IECC provides an off the shelf opportunity for both commercial and residential new construction. Additionally, the Inflation reduction Act will provide $670 million in aid for local adoption of the ZEH Appendix. Since the ZEH Appendix is published as part of the model IECC, it can be easily modified by adopting states and jurisdictions to better meet local climate goals, or by incentive programs or builders to meet their market demands. NBI is currently developing a guide to aid jurisdictions and program implementers in this process.

Most homes in America are woefully underlit. Codes are no help, because they have minimal requirements (would you believe the International Residential Code only requires ONE light in a kitchen?). Despite energy mandates requiring high efficiency LED’s, there is little guidance on what kind of LED’s to use and more importantly where to place them. The missing element in this discussion is how much light we need, as the population ages. A 60 year old needs 3 times the illumination as a 20 year old to see! Drawing on ten years of original research and volunteer work with both the Illuminating Engineering Society and the National Kitchen & Bath Association, architect Doug Walter will discuss optimal lighting strategies and layouts for each room in the home using the latest technologies, illustrating them with actual case studies.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Learn how to maximize lighting and daylighting in homes to support Circadian rhythms and provide adequate illumination for all age groups.

2. Attendees will understand why each end user might have different needs, and how to provide them the control and choice they require from low tech to high tech.

3. Look at residential lighting standards and industry recommendations critically, and set your own evidence-based metrics.

4. Know where to look for further learning on the topic of lighting, especially kitchens and baths, the two most critical lighting environments in the home.

Chef Andrew Forlines will give an overview of new and advanced home cooking technology with an emphasis on all-electric, non-gas options. Induction cooking, Steam and Speed Ovens, Sous Vide Cooking, Automated and Smart WiFi Connected appliances.

Learning Objectives:

1. Why Induction burners are more powerful and better than gas burners.

2. Understand the expanded modern all-electric home kitchen appliance portfolio.

3. Learn talking points to get home owners and trade partners to opt in on all-electric home kitchen appliances.

4. Understand the complexity of the home kitchen large appliance industry AND how to navigate it.

Energy loss is a real problem on any residential new construction project. And perhaps there is no greater opportunity for energy loss than conditioned air leaking into the attic space through the dozens and dozens of ceiling penetrations that accommodate things like lighting fixtures, air-conditioning diffusers, smoke detectors, security devices, and more. Join us for a conversation with the inventor and founder of Comfy Light: a once-in-a-generation idea that is going to change the approach to residential energy savings. Josue Ramirez will show us that by combing air and light into one discreet patented device, saving significant amounts of energy never looked so good!

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to significantly reduce the number of ceiling penetrations by combining air and light into one Comfy Light fixture;

2. Demonstrate how blower door test data confirms the dramatic impact that installing Comfy Light has over traditional HVAC diffusers;

3. Understand that if the A/C system isn’t working as hard, it’s going to last longer, and fewer air changes per hour means the system doesn’t have to run as much, and will therefore last longer;

4. Compare Comfy Light’s unique multi-axial design, allowing for both horizontal and vertical air mixing.

Speakers: Josue Ramirez, Ken Grubbs

Join award winning builder Jay Epstein, water physicist Dr. Markus Lenger, and water and energy conservation expert Larry Acker to discuss heat pump water heaters:
1) How effective are they in a residential home and what are the options?
2) Should every home consider a Heat Pump Water Heater, even though they only have access to 110/120 Amps? 
3) Is plumbing design necessary for Heat Pump Water Heaters?
4) Is controlled distribution of hot water important for efficiency of Heat Pump Water Heaters?
They will also discuss new systems of monitoring and data collection of energy in existing and new homes: 
1) Should Heat Pump Water Heaters be monitored?
2) Is there a simple way to test and collect data on existing homes?
This panel will have details and suggestions on all of the above. There will be slides and examples of existing buildings and studies.

Are you ready to take your building projects to the next level? Join us for a webinar that will explore new strategies for business success using the BUILD 3.0 Framework. While Build 1.0 and Build 2.0 brought advancements in building techniques and energy efficiency, the world today requires a more complex approach. That's where BUILD 3.0 comes in – it addresses the challenges of the disastrous effects of climate change, environmental and health impacts, and the decades-long profitability issues caused by low productivity in building processes. In this webinar, we'll show you how to combine the best materials, processes, and technologies from BUILD 1.0 and BUILD 2.0 with new BUILD 3.0 elements to succeed in today's building environment. You'll learn how BUILD 3.0 building materials and processes can be used for disaster resistance, eco-friendliness, and improved construction productivity. Plus, we'll introduce you to NEXGEN Building Products and our Magnesium Oxide (MgO) MAXTERRA panels – high-performance panels that are fire, water, storm, mold, impact, and insect/pest resistant, making them ideal for sheathing, subflooring, and floor underlayment.

Find out more information and order samples here: www.nexgenbp.com

Join us for this highly informative webinar featuring three inspiring women builders: Founder of Younger Homes, Danielle Younger; Co-owner and Marketing Director of Lifestyle Homes, Karen Kicinski, and Co-founder of Charis Homes, Glenna Wilson. These three incredible women will tell us about how they entered the sustainable building industry, how the industry has impacted them, and how they seek to impact the industry in return. They’ll discuss the sustainable technologies and innovations they have implemented and provide advice for women looking to enter the residential construction industry.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about the newest innovations happening in the sustainable building industry.
2. Understand day-to-day operations and the building industry's challenges and rewards, especially as it relates to women.
3. Learn about the advice these women would give other women entering the building industry.
4. Understand how climate and location dictate high-performance technologies.

In early February, EPA announced the second public comment period for Indoor airPLUS Version 2, EPA’s residential certification program for improved indoor air quality (IAQ). To help you understand what is proposed in Version 2 and how it is different from Version 1 and the initial draft specification, EEBA is hosting this interactive session with EPA staff and representatives. During the webinar, EPA will provide a guided tour of the public comment page and an overview of the revised program model to help identify areas where you and your organization may wish to provide input. Join us to hear how you can participate in promoting broader adoption of IAQ advancements and help shape the future of this labeling program.

Nick Hurst, Gayathri Vijayakumar

Discover EEBA’s new sustainable products database - eeba.ecomedes.com. Easily search by product category, brand, certifications, ecolabels, or greenest products to streamline how you source and specify. You can also add products to a project and start to calculate impact and evaluate how those selected products help you achieve your project's preferred rating system. Sourcing and specifying sustainable building materials just got easy!
In this second of five webinar series, Paul will provide an overview for manufacturers interested in how EEBA supports high-performance green builders with eeba.ecomedes.com.