EEBA's High Performance Home Blog

Your home has a heating and cooling system for comfort. Yet it doesn’t have a healthy air system to ensure you breathe clean air. Since health and building science experts have proven that poor indoor air quality leads to respiratory conditions and many other illnesses, Panasonic created a solution for healthier indoor environments. Introducing Cosmos™, the first healthy home system.

This week, former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering 46-year-old George Floyd in Minneapolis. After 11 months of unrest and apprehension following George Floyd’s tragic death, we breathe a sigh of relief as jury member after jury member found Chauvin guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. 

For our Minneapolis-based EEBA team, this death and subsequent case hit very close to home. As communities struggle with uncertainty, it has become increasingly important to actively face the lack of diversity in our industry. 

Sustainable living is not determined solely by fuel types and building materials, it also requires an equitable distribution of resources. 

As public discourse around moisture issues in the home increases, it becomes increasingly vital to examine the health risks associated with these issues, and how builders can mitigate them. While high-performance homes and energy efficient HVAC systems are proven contributors to maintaining a health home, they also have unforeseen consequences.  

In this webinar, Nikki Krueger from Therma-Stor will provide a vital building science perspective for architects and builders to learn how and why to address indoor moisture risks (CYA) through dedicated moisture control systems in single and multifamily homes.  

During the renovation process of their all-electric home, Maureen Mahle and Steve Klocke researched the health impacts of cooking with gas in the house. Some of the common health risks include asthma, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses.  

Maintaining healthy indoor air quality is critical for Maureen and Steve right now because they have a toddler in the house.  

WaterSense^® labeled homes allow families to enjoy comfort and convenience while using less water and energy and saving money on utility bills. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released Version 2 of the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program. The updated program, which includes both a revised specification and certification system, continues to promote water efficiency in homes; however, it has made the WaterSense home certification process easier and more flexible for home builders.

This 1924 Colonial Home in Norwalk, CT was in a state of complete disrepair before homeowners Maureen Mahle and Steve Klocke began a total gut rehabilitation of the house. They initiated the renovation process after the home was stripped down to its foundation, framing, and floors.  

When you’re searching for a new home, new doesn’t always mean new – even when you’re buying a home that was just built. Some new homes feature more energy efficient appliances and components than others, so how can potential homebuyers ensure they’re getting the latest and greatest offerings in building energy performance that new homes can provide today?  

The answer is Zero Energy Ready Homes. That’s because a Zero Energy Ready Home must meet multiple layers of requirements, related not only to energy performance, but also indoor air quality and building construction. Watch this video to learn more about what a Zero Energy Ready Home can do for you. 

In August 2020, Hurricane Isaias caused severe damage across the East Coast of the U.S. In Norwalk, CT, communities experienced vast electricity outages caused by collapsed trees and damaged power lines. With their all-electric energy system and backup batteries, Maureen and Steve were unaffected by the tropical storm. 

This Chinese New Year, Chef Rachelle Boucher of Kitchens to Life shared her tips and tricks for using induction cooking to make traditional Chinese holiday dishes. Boucher has worked with So Fun, a chef who specializes in various Chinese cuisines, to adapt these authentic recipes for induction cooking and ventilation.

In this webinar, Gerard Font presents the Connected Home from Square D, an all-in-one solution for energy management. The Connected Home is designed to reduce carbon emissions and provide consumers with energy efficient options in their homes. The Home uses an innovative “grid-to-plug" solution by connecting wiring devices, the “Wiser” energy monitor, and the house’s energy center to create an integrated energy management system.