EEBA's High Performance Home Blog

As the effects of climate change have become more apparent around the world, sustainability is a major talking point in every industry. In the realm of architecture and construction, the materials we use matter to the natural environment, as well as our own health.

Here’s what you need to know about green building, as well as the environmental and economic benefits of choosing eco-friendly materials, whether you’re building or planning a sustainable single-family home, commercial building, or another type of structure.

DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has announced the winners of its 2021 Housing Innovation Awards. This recognition distinguishes the leading home builders across the country constructing Zero Energy Ready Homes, the federal government’s most rigorous guidelines for new residential construction. Grand winners in each of the award categories listed below will be announced during the Housing Innovation Awards ceremony on September 14^th, at the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance High Performance Home Summit.

As more alarming studies surrounding climate change come out, scientists are recommending that people take real action to prevent the disasters of global warming. A great way for individuals to start is by rethinking eco-friendly housing practices. First-time homeowners should take this into consideration when making their move. There are a variety of ways first-time homeowners can create a more sustainable home for the future and by using these tips, you can prepare your home with environmental sustainability in mind. 

Even as sustainability sits at the forefront of modern architectural trends, developing alternative energy solutions isn’t without its challenges. For example, not every city is ideally situated for harnessing solar power due to atmospheric conditions that limit annual sunshine. The good news is that solar energy is just one of the various forms of alternative energy that can be utilized by urban planners in sustainable building designs.  

With so many energy efficient innovations underway in the field of construction, it’s now easier than ever for builders to contribute to zero-energy efforts. In fact, they must recognize the significance of sustainability and how it impacts the future of their business. Follow along to learn more about how builders can contribute to a zero-energy lifestyle while reaping the benefits. 

Smart homes are no longer used for just convenience and security. Today, smart homes have become sophisticated home operating systems, with advanced sensing, control, automation, integration, and analytics tools. Samsung SmartThings, a leader in IoT and smart home automation, is a comprehensive smart home ecosystem that now has over 70 million active users. 

To kick off a carbon neutral home revolution, a new generation of green builders must start by assessing our footprint, normalizing carbon offsets, and enacting realistic government regulations.

May 11—A small housing development planned near downtown Granite Falls will be the first in Caldwell County incorporating renewable energy sources intended to virtually wipe out homeowners' electric bills.

In his new book, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, Bill Gates identifies the need for the world to get to Zero Carbon by 2050 and the consequences to the global population if we do not. He uses Zero to quantify and provide a tool for measuring the effectiveness of various technologies for getting us there. Currently, the world emits 51 billion tons of greenhouse gases per year, and we need to get to Zero by 2050. The steps are measurable. The goal is ambitious but achievable. It will not be easy!

SEATTLE, WA (April 2021) – Residential developer, Dwell Development LLC, continues to push the envelope of sustainable design and green construction in the Pacific Northwest with the completion of their Net-Positive Energy and Built Green 5-Star residential building certification programs.