Past Conferences
Our archive of past conferences includes videos of the keynote addresses and presentations with downloadable presentation decks.
While the Better Building by Design conference is hosted by Efficiency Vermont, the views of session speakers, exhibitors and sponsors are their own. The content of any session presentations does not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Efficiency Vermont, and presentations do not reflect an endorsement of any speaker, any policy, or any mentioned products, manufacturers, technologies, or opinions.
Conference Archive
2025 Keynote Address: Dr. Diana Hernández
BBD 2024
Keynote Address: Blueprint for Equity: Energy Efficiency & the Future of Building
While the Better Building by Design conference is hosted by Efficiency Vermont, the views of session speakers, exhibitors and sponsors are their own. The content of any session presentations does not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Efficiency Vermont, and presentations do not reflect an endorsement of any speaker, any policy, or any mentioned products, manufacturers, technologies, or opinions.
BBD 2023
Keynote Address: Getting Stuff Done Through the Noise: Complex Systems Change
BBD 2023 Keynote Address Slide Deck (PDF)
While the Better Building by Design conference is hosted by Efficiency Vermont, the views of session speakers, exhibitors and sponsors are their own. The content of any session presentations do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Efficiency Vermont, and presentations do not reflect an endorsement of any speaker, any policy, or any mentioned products, manufacturers, technologies, or opinions.
BBD 2022 Keynote Address: Heads Up, Heads Down
While the Better Building by Design conference is hosted by Efficiency Vermont, the views of session speakers are their own. The content of any session presentations do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Efficiency Vermont, and presentations do not reflect an endorsement of any speaker, any policy, or any mentioned products, manufacturers, technologies, or opinions.
Agenda
Keynote Address
Multi-Solving Through Resilient Design: Addressing Our Co-Crises of Climate, Equity, and Health
February 2, 2021; 8:00-9:00AM
Today buildings are being asked to contend with multiple crises simultaneously: global warming causing flooding and wildfires; health and access disparities due to a lack of social equity, and a pandemic compounded by poor indoor air quality. It is overwhelming, and yet, focusing on each problem individually dilutes attention and resources. Resilient design helps people look beyond the immediate crisis and focus on building strategies that strengthen their ability to recover from a range of possible disturbances. It emphasizes design features that “multi-solve” (a term coined by Climate Interactive). Keynote speaker Candace Pearson of BuildingGreen will discuss how this concept of multi-solving has influenced how she applies resilient design and how she evaluates key strategies for the built environment.
Candace Pearson
Senior AnalystBuildingGreen Inc.
Candace Pearson is in-house counsel and senior analyst for BuildingGreen Inc., a nationally renowned education and consulting company for sustainable design located in Brattleboro, Vermont. Candace has conducted in-depth research comparing existing rating systems for resilient design, including LEED, RELi, and FORTIFIED. In partnership with the Resilient Design Institute, she recently helped develop resilient design guidelines for Washington D.C. as part of the District’s Climate Ready DC Initiative. These guidelines (soon to be released) outline specific strategies for improving the resilience of the District’s building stock and will be referenced in the District’s approval process. Candace also has a deep passion for integrated design and leads BuildingGreen’s consulting practice in the areas of alternative project delivery models, collaborative construction contracts, and owner representation. She has a knack for facilitating kick-off meetings and she has partnered with construction attorneys to translate learnings into contractual agreements. In 2015, she co-authored a guide on Integrated Design and Delivery funded by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Candace studied energy regulation at Vermont Law School, which informs her future-looking stance towards energy storage, demand response, and electrification. She focuses her efforts on programs and strategies that not only build resilience, but also have significant co-benefits for mitigating climate change, furthering social equity, and building economic prosperity.
Building resilience in Vermont: Learning from disaster recovery
February 3, 2021; 8:00-8:45AM
Around the country, building energy experts are increasingly deploying lessons from disaster planning and recovery to increase resilience. How can these innovative ideas help us strengthen our resilience in VT? Can climate resilience help us elevate cultural resilience? Can healthy housing lead to more resilient communities? We’ll look at projects that can provide a roadmap for creative solutions to an increasing need for resilience, and understand how planning for resilience can provide multiple simultaneous benefits.
Krista Egger
Vice President of National InitiativesEnterprise Community Partners
Krista Egger is vice president of national initiatives at Enterprise Community Partners. With more than 15 years of experience leading energy efficiency and healthy housing initiatives with affordable housing stakeholders, Krista manages Enterprise’s national sustainability efforts.
Keynote Address - Carbon Drawdown Now: Turning Buildings into Carbon Sinks
The information below is from the 2020 Conference which has passed. A preliminary schedule of events for the 2021 Conference will be posted in the fall.
With our Better Buildings by Design 2020 theme, “Affordable Energy,” in mind, we are pleased to announce this year’s keynote session, presented by Chris Magwood of the Endeavour Centre in Peterborough, Ontario, and Jacob Racusin and Ace McArleton of New Frameworks in Burlington, Vermont. They will kick off the conference February 5, 2020, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Hotel in South Burlington, Vermont.
Carbon Drawdown Now: Turning Buildings into Carbon Sinks will illuminate how buildings have the potential to become the world’s sixth carbon sink, rather than a leading emitter, and show clearly how building professionals’ work is essential for climate justice and social equity. In line with the conference theme, the presenters will look at the value and cost of decarbonizing our buildings, and the relationships between energy, materials, and climate.
The presentation will examine the theory of embodied carbon emissions and carbon storage in materials, how “energy” relates to “carbon,” the wide range of carbon-storing materials available now and those in the R&D phase, and the global potential for carbon storage in the built environment. A section on cost analysis and the decision-making process will spotlight real-world case studies of buildings that heavily incorporate carbon-storing materials, and show how climate-friendly solutions need not increase project costs. Strategies will be identified for both residential and non-residential projects, throughout different parts of the design and construction process, using different tools. During the keynote, the presenters will show how we can advance climate justice through the development of the built environment, and how our industry can partner with allied industries in agriculture and forestry to find solutions to social, ecological, and economic problems.
Participants will leave this keynote feeling reinvigorated in their work, eager to connect our community of practitioners with the wider network of change makers, and fired up to transform our built environment and our world.
About the Presenters:
Chris Magwood is the executive director of the Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school in Ontario. In 1998 he co-founded Camel’s Back Construction, and as a contractor, designed and built more than 30 homes and commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building, and is currently working on an MA at Trent University, studying the carbon storage potential of the built environment.
Ace McArleton founded New Frameworks Natural Design/Build in 2006 to offer green remodeling and new construction services blending natural building materials and methods with high-performance design. Ace instructs in the Natural Building Certificate Program at the Yestermorrow School, is co-author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), and led his business’s conversion to a worker cooperative in 2016. Ace is passionate about finding practical, regional solutions for building healthy, just communities.
Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks, offering design, construction, consultation, and education services featuring low-impact high-performance building technologies. He is also program director of the certificate program in building science and net zero design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor. Jacob is the author of the books Essential Building Science and The Natural Building Companion.
Agenda
Wednesday, Feb. 5
- Efficiency Vermont Awards
- Keynote Address: Carbon Drawdown Now: Turning Buildings into Carbon Sinks
Thursday, Feb. 6
Attend the workshops to earn continuing education credits.. Credit approval is listed after each session description.
Printable final program (PDF)
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Quality Assurance for Low-Pressure Disposable Foam Systems
Enclosure, Residential- Henri Fennell, Jr., HC Fennell Consulting, LLC
One and two-part portable foam systems ('kits and cans') are used by do-it-yourselfers, contractors, and spray foam installers alike. These versatile disposable products allow users to do small or intermittent applications where bulk foam installations are not cost effective, or in remote locations where using bulk foam is not possible. How these systems work and why they can be problematic is discussed in detail. Instruction about how to properly prepare and use kits and cans is provided, along with photos and demonstrations of accessories that improve their efficiency and effectiveness, while maintaining product quality and convenience.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Henri Fennell, Jr.
Henri Fennell is a building envelope specialist and architect with 45 years of experience in energy conservation design, manufactured products, and services. His work with polyurethane foam began during the energy crisis of the 1970s. His experience has included being a practicing architect, a building envelope consultant, and a remediation and commissioning consultant. Major historic projects include the Guggenheim Museum. He has designed several micro-load buildings, including a net-zero energy research structure in Antarctica.
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Understanding Basic Dew Point Calculations for High-Performance Basement, Walls, and Roof Systems
Enclosure, Residential- David Johnston, David Johnston & Co, Representing Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
- William Turner, Representing: Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
The presentation will focus on explaining what’s involved in a dew point (condensation point) calculation in a proposed basement, wall, or roof system and the very basic practical approach for doing the calculation. More advanced methods will also be covered. The attendee should come away with a basic understanding of the risk of failure involved with constructing high-performance walls for cold climates and why careful consideration is needed if building science rules of thumb, or detailed code prescriptive standards, are not followed.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
David Johnston
David Johnston, president emeritus of David Johnston & Company, based in Gorham, Maine, has a lifetime of experience with teaching and building construction. For 40-plus years he has been involved with the design and construction of high-performance residential buildings located in cold climates. He has been asked to solve building science problems in multiple residential settings. He remains an adjunct instructor for Central Maine Community College, teaching basic building science and estimating.
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William Turner
William Turner is the president emeritus of Turner Building Science and Design in Harrison, Maine. He has a lifetime of experience with building diagnostics and construction. For 40-plus years he has been involved with further learning in the design, construction, and commissioning of a wide variety of building systems. He has been asked to solve building science and air quality problems and conducted a variety of testing in most types of buildings.
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Construction Phase Carbon Impact
Commercial, Commercial- Megan Nedzinski, Vermont Integrated Architecture, PC
- Amy Sheldon, Landslide, Inc.
- Ashar Nelson, Vermont Integrated Architecture
Our region has made great strides in advancing high-performance, zero-energy building practices; however, construction projects rarely quantify, or even consider, carbon during construction. Current Vermont policy initiatives and programs continue to push projects to meet 2050 climate goals (Act 250, Tier III programs, etc.) while project delivery decisions remain blind to community and environmental impacts, staying focused on time and money. Presenters will share insights into current policy initiatives and programs, lead an interactive discussion of key construction phase carbon considerations, and demonstrate how greater consideration of these key elements could help shift owners’ construction stage decision making toward positive change in a more holistic way.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Megan Nedzinski
Megan Nedzinski is an architect, LEED AP, and certified Passive House consultant with Vermont Integrated Architecture. Megan considers emerging research, applied technology, and the surrounding environment to deliver high-performing projects. The focus of her work both professionally and academically is to analyze and communicate the relative benefits of various design strategies. Megan was a member of the wood science faculty at West Virginia University, and continues to teach through various community outreach events and at Yestermorrow Design/Build School.
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Amy Sheldon
Amy Sheldon is a Natural Resource Planner at Landslide, Inc., with over 30 years of experience working on conservation, restoration and planning projects in Vermont. Elected to the Vermont House as one of Middlebury’s two Representatives in 2015, she is currently the Chair of the Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Committee and an active member of the Climate Caucus.
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Ashar Nelson
Ashar Nelson is a lifelong Vermonter with more than two decades of experience in design and construction. As a principal architect at Vermont Integrated Architecture and occasional faculty in the architectural studies program at Middlebury College, he is committed to promoting sustainable building designs and innovative construction methods. Ashar believes that an integrated design process, representing building users, constructors, estimators, and craftspeople, as well as design professionals, is essential in achieving high-performance buildings.
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When Persistence Pays Off: A retrospective of early adoption of ASHRAE Guideline 36
Commercial, Commercial- Henry Stehmeyer, Cx Associates
ASHRAE's Guideline 36 standard HVAC sequences of operations reduce engineering time, increase energy savings, improve indoor air quality, and normalize terminology and concepts between trades. Three years ago, UVMMC implemented these sequences at their Fanny Allen building. Now they have the results from that implementation, the energy savings, and the lessons learned. Come listen to our story, see the results presented by ownership and implementers. Learn how HVAC controls sequence refinement is an efficiency measure with big potential to move the industry toward efficiency goals. We'll show you a new HVAC controls approach and how it produced persistent energy savings.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Henry Stehmeyer
Henry “Rick” Stehmeyer is a senior engineer at Cx Associates in Burlington, Vermont. Rick is an expert in HVAC controls and the former head of software department for a major controls contracting firm in New England. He has almost two decades of experience as a systems integrator, commissioning agent, and installer of major name-brand building automation systems across a wide range of markets including New York City, New Jersey, and Vermont.
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Fixing Existing Homes (Part 1)
Enclosure, Residential- David Keefe, Efficiency Vermont / VEIC
In 2008, Vermont adopted a goal to weatherize 80,000 homes by 2020, with average 25% savings. We are woefully behind. Currently we fix roughly 2,000 homes per year, with average savings of less than 25%. In this session, the presenter will outline how this work is done, what opportunities exist for doing more of it, and how we can do it better. We’ll start with some lessons about indoor air quality, carbon monoxide, ventilation, and moisture learned over the 30 or so years that the weatherization industry has existed. We will discuss the state of the diagnostics art, the tools and techniques we use to figure out what to do. Then we will move to the hands-on work itself, practical things we are doing in Vermont homes to make them work better. We will wrap up with some challenges that the industry faces, including staffing and sales. This session is appropriate for those already doing this work, those considering getting into it, and anyone who wants to better understand how it is done.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
David Keefe
David Keefe of VEIC/Efficiency Vermont is a former contractor and a well-known teacher with 34 years of experience in making homes work better. He has delivered over 1,000 sessions and is known as a personable and friendly teacher who loves to answer questions. In 2011, he was honored by ACI Inc. as one of “the 25 most instrumental people in building the home performance industry,” and in 2017 he was awarded the Linda Wigington Leadership Award by the Home Performance Coalition.
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Solar Fire Investigation Analysis: The Unintended Consequence of Reflective Low-E Glass Technology
Crossroads, Commercial- Curt M. Freedman, CMF Engineering, Inc
Low-E glass windows are also referred to as insulated glass units (IGU). In this session, the presenter will explain how a combination of factors can result in the IGUs becoming concave and parabolic in shape. The reflective metallic coating causes the IGUs to reflect concentrated sunlight with focal lengths of 15–60 feet. It has been determined that the concentrated reflected light of three times direct sunlight could easily melt vinyl siding, and 12 times direct sunlight could ignite fires, with corresponding absorbed blackbody temperatures of more than 532 degrees F.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Curt M. Freedman
Curt Freedman, president of CMF Engineering, Inc., is a registered professional engineer in 12 states, a consultant, and a senior member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. He is also an adjunct professor at Western New England University (in Springfield, Massachusetts) and a published author in solar energy.
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The Future of Water Heating: Hybrid Water Heaters, Smart Home Applications and Grid Optimization
Building Systems, Residential- Diane Cabral, Rheem Water Heaters
Heat pump technology has been around for decades. This presentation will discuss why Heat Pump water heaters should be THE electric water heater solution in both residential and multifamily applications. Learn how hybrid heat pump water heaters function and the added benefits they bring. With built in Wi-Fi connectivity, this technology is adding a whole new level of control for homeowners and end users and allows for seamless integration of demand response programs for utilities. These units also have a significant impact on HERS and other home efficiency measurements. This is the future of water heating.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Diane Cabral
Diane Cabral is Rheem’s Northeast and mid-Atlantic region manager with the utilities division, focusing on promoting highly efficient products and bridging the gap between consumers, distributors, and utility incentives/programs. Rheem is currently forging partnerships for better grid management and promoting solutions for green homes and optimal HERS scores.
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A Case Study On An Urban-Infill, Net-Positive, Foam Free, Passive House project.
Enclosure, Residential- Arthur Chukhman, Duncan Wisniewski Architecture
- Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks
- Chris West, Eco Houses of Vermont
This presentation features a case study of Burlington's first certified Passive House project, which is modeled to be net-positive in operation energy. This addition to an existing duplex is built with foam-free construction with a focus on low carbon materials. The team will share their design process, which includes an embodied carbon analysis to compare different insulation strategies, as well as a cost analysis to select the wall system.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Arthur Chukhman
Arthur Chukhman is an architect and certified Passive House designer at Duncan Wisniewski Architecture, a firm that has done many high-performance multifamily projects in Vermont. In his role as the office sustainability coordinator, he has worked to optimize envelope details and promote the use of low-carbon materials. Arthur is a board member of the Burlington 2030 District and is the coordinator of the Northern Vermont Building Science Group.
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Jacob Deva Racusin
Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks, offering design, construction, consultation, and education services featuring low-impact high-performance building technologies. Jacob is Program Director of the Certificate in Building Science and Net Zero Design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor. Jacob is the author of the books Essential Building Science and The Natural Building Companion.
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Chris West
Chris West has been a certified Passive House consultant (CPHC) since 2011 and a PHIUS CPHC trainer since 2018. Chris has been a longtime advocate for superinsulated houses as a path toward reduced carbon emissions, heightened comfort, healthy environments, and safe living spaces. His small consultancy has been involved in many certified and un-certified houses and multifamily projects in Vermont, New Hampshire, and elsewhere.
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Selling Lower-Cost High-Performance Building Envelopes
Commercial, Commercial- Henri Fennell, Jr., HC Fennell Consulting, LLC
This session will introduce a proven marketing strategy for designing and constructing high-performance building envelopes/enclosures at a lower overall up-front construction cost. It will highlight the importance of integrated design and performance guarantees in the construction of more sustainable, energy-efficient commercial buildings that reduce energy use, fossil fuel emissions, and life-of-the-building operating costs. The presenter will provide an overview of a comprehensive cost-reduction protocol (CRP) that takes economic advantage of the energy performance realized in building envelope designs with guaranteed low air leakage rates.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Henri Fennell, Jr.
Henri Fennell is a building envelope specialist and architect with 45 years of experience in energy conservation design, manufactured products, and services. His work with polyurethane foam began during the energy crisis of the 1970s. His experience has included being a practicing architect, a building envelope consultant, and a remediation and commissioning consultant. Major historic projects include the Guggenheim Museum. He has designed several micro-load buildings, including a net-zero energy research structure in Antarctica.
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Doing Better for Less: R-30 Walls and Beyond—High Performance, Less Cost
Enclosure, Residential- David Johnston, David Johnston & Co, Representing Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
- William Turner, Representing: Maine Indoor Air Quality Council
There are many ways to design and construct a high-performance wall insulation system that would meet or exceed the 2015 IECC code intent. This presentation will focus on a wall insulation system that, in the presenters’ opinion, is the easiest to implement and most cost-effective approach for cold climates, where much of the year is cold and wet and summertime can be hot and humid. The approach has been implemented in a variety of building types.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
David Johnston
David Johnston, president emeritus of David Johnston & Company, based in Gorham, Maine, has a lifetime of experience with teaching and building construction. For 40-plus years he has been involved with the design and construction of high-performance residential buildings located in cold climates. He has been asked to solve building science problems in multiple residential settings. He remains an adjunct instructor for Central Maine Community College, teaching basic building science and estimating.
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William Turner
William Turner is the president emeritus of Turner Building Science and Design in Harrison, Maine. He has a lifetime of experience with building diagnostics and construction. For 40-plus years he has been involved with further learning in the design, construction, and commissioning of a wide variety of building systems. He has been asked to solve building science and air quality problems and conducted a variety of testing in most types of buildings.
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Ensuring Your Energy Remains Affordable, Using Existing Data for Energy Optimization
Building Systems, Commercial- Charles Van Winkle, Housing Vermont
This is an overview of the tools developed by Housing Vermont, namely the Parsons Platform, to leverage the emerging Internet of Things so as to optimize building energy consumption. The Parsons Platform works as a complement to a traditional building management system (BMS) by aggregating available data, presenting it in a visual format, and providing the opportunity to study equipment operation. By using a relational database, the platform allows for an expeditious presentation of system functionality with a long-term perspective. Housing Vermont is using the Parsons Platform to validate its life-cycle cost decisions in equipment selection.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Charles Van Winkle
Prior to his current role as director of energy services at Housing Vermont, Charles Van Winkle held several positions in the renewables industry, including leadership positions with a local energy storage integrator, utility solar monitoring company, community-scale (100 kW) wind turbine manufacturer, and off-grid power systems integrator. Charlie’s microgrid experience includes offshore oil and gas platforms, oil pipelines in Papua New Guinea and Georgia, and wind diesel installations in western Alaska.
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Fixing Existing Homes (Part 2)
Enclosure, Residential- David Keefe, Efficiency Vermont / VEIC
In 2008, Vermont adopted a goal to weatherize 80,000 homes by 2020, with average 25% savings. We are woefully behind. Currently we fix roughly 2,000 homes per year, with average savings of less than 25%. In this session, the presenter will outline how this work is done, what opportunities exist for doing more of it, and how we can do it better. We’ll start with some lessons about indoor air quality, carbon monoxide, ventilation, and moisture learned over the 30 or so years that the weatherization industry has existed. We will discuss the state of the diagnostics art, the tools and techniques we use to figure out what to do. Then we will move to the hands-on work itself, practical things we are doing in Vermont homes to make them work better. We will wrap up with some challenges that the industry faces, including staffing and sales. This session is appropriate for those already doing this work, those considering getting into it, and anyone who wants to better understand how it is done.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
David Keefe
David Keefe of VEIC/Efficiency Vermont is a former contractor and a well-known teacher with 34 years of experience in making homes work better. He has delivered over 1,000 sessions and is known as a personable and friendly teacher who loves to answer questions. In 2011, he was honored by ACI Inc. as one of “the 25 most instrumental people in building the home performance industry,” and in 2017 he was awarded the Linda Wigington Leadership Award by the Home Performance Coalition.
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Drill, Baby, Drill! Residential Geothermal: Can it Scale?
Building Systems, Residential- Ryan Dougherty, Geothermal Exchange Organization
- Kathy Hannun, Dandelion Energy
- Gretchen Schimelpfenig, Burlington Electric Department
- Jake Marin, Efficiency Vermont
Ground source heat pump (GSHP) – or geothermal heat pump – systems are the most efficient heating and cooling systems available and an effective strategy for decarbonizing buildings. GSHPs can eliminate fossil fuel heating and domestic hot water systems, greatly reduce CO2 emissions and electric peak demand, and can help our state achieve the goals of our Comprehensive Energy Plan. Over the past decade, innovative new business models have emerged and hold out the promise to move geothermal from a boutique technology to an affordable HVAC solution for all. In Vermont, there are barriers to address to improve affordability and develop the supply chain. Can we scale geothermal in Vermont like we are seeing in other states and Canada?
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Ryan Dougherty
Ryan Dougherty has served as GEO’s chief operating officer since 2014. He has extensive experience in public policy and governance and most recently served as deputy director of the Illinois Healthcare and Human Services Framework, a multi-agency state technology initiative. Prior to that position, he served as senior policy advisor at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He has worked in a number of other positions within state government, including as a budget analyst in the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget and as a legislative liaison to the governor of Illinois. Ryan holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Illinois.
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Kathy Hannun
Kathy Hannun is the co-founder and CEO of Dandelion Energy, the nation’s leading home geothermal company. Prior to Dandelion, Kathy worked as a rapid evaluator at Alphabet’s X lab. Kathy has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, MIT Tech Review’s 35 under 35, Albany Business Review’s 40 under 40, and a “Leader of Tomorrow.” Kathy graduated from Stanford with a B.S. in civil engineering and an M.S. in computer science.
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Gretchen Schimelpfenig
Gretchen Schimelpfenig is an Energy Services Engineer at the Burlington Electric Department, the energy efficiency utility serving Burlington, Vermont. She previously worked as a commissioning engineer and developed field expertise with geothermal heat pump systems. In 2014, the U.S. Green Building Council published her research paper “Opportunities for Utilizing Geothermal Resources in the United States.” Gretchen is a licensed Civil Professional Engineer and graduated from Stanford with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a specialty in Sustainable Design and Construction.
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Jake Marin
Jake Marin is the HVAC and Refrigeration Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. Moving into this role in 2014, he quickly began the process of restructuring how EVT supports HVAC for residential and commercial customers. In his tenure, he has ceased all support of fossil fuel heating system equipment, while refocusing resources on renewable thermal technologies such as heat pumps and advanced wood heating. He works closely with the supply chain to ensure that the most efficient products are available and that installers have the training they need to sell and install efficient equipment. Additionally, he has worked with an exceptional team to increase EVT’s involvement with commercial refrigeration, transforming what was a fringe activity, into one of the major ways EVT helps small to large businesses save large amounts of energy and make them more economically viable. In prior roles, Jake has been an energy consultant, a contractor and an entrepreneur. He brings this experience and a good deal of enthusiasm to his work, transforming the way Vermonters do building mechanical. Management, Jake has been integrating these concepts into our programmatic offerings.
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Lessons from Large Scale Hippie Design Build Projects in the 70s
Building Systems, Residential- Bill Maclay, Maclay Architects
- John Rahill, Black River Design, Architects
Goddard College and the Dimetrodon Group at Prickly Mountain built some special buildings under the guidance of architect David Sellers at Goddard and Bill Maclay, Jim Sanford, and Dick Travers at Dimetrodon. These were some of the largest design-as-you-build projects ever undertaken, and it was an exciting time. The presenters will show these projects and discuss the benefits and limitations of this development model, as well as share specific lessons learned and changes since that time in our understanding of energy efficiency.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Bill Maclay
Bill Maclay, the founder and president of Maclay Architects, has lectured or taught at many colleges and universities. He has a B.A. from Williams College and a master of architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a past president of the Vermont chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Bill has been involved in research on all aspects of environmental design, including sustainable design, indoor air quality, building science, and materials selection.
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John Rahill
John Rahill is founder of Black River Design, Architects (BRD) of Montpelier, Vermont. BRD was started in 1978 and has grown to an office of 18 people. John’s career has been committed to sustainable and high-performance design with an emphasis on durability, aesthetics, and occupant comfort. John is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design and has served as president of the Vermont Chapter of the AIA and the Solar Association of Vermont.
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Encouraging Building Airtightness: A New Five-Story Building in Maine
Enclosure, Commercial- Frederick McKnight, Turner Building Science and Design, LLC
In 2019, the presenters completed a building enclosure commissioning program on a five-story building in Bangor, Maine. The building is a new structure housing offices and a computer center. The design intent was to build a very energy-efficient building. The structure was tested for airtightness. The goal was 0.25 CFM/sq. ft. at 75 Pascal pressure difference, and the tested result was 0.04 CFM/sq. ft. The design included a modern wall structure, a roof with minimal penetrations, and a poured concrete basement (walls and floors). The enclosure assembly was composed of standard, readily available components. This session explains how these results were accomplished.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Frederick McKnight
Frederick McKnight has specialized in the energy-efficient design of HVAC systems. His commitment to energy efficiency and superior indoor air quality has led to a focus on building enclosures and the migration of air and moisture through them. Fred has commissioning experience with high-performance buildings, conventional buildings, and specialized building enclosures. He is currently the commissioning agent for a number of large buildings on campuses throughout New England.
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Innovations in Zero Energy Modular (ZEM)
Crossroads, Residential- Peter Schneider, VEIC
Factory-built housing continues to expand, particularly in the high-performance and affordable housing markets. Vermont’s zero energy modular (ZEM) initiative is one way the state is demonstrating how we can meet our energy and affordable housing goals in the building sector. The ZEM effort continues to evolve and innovate as it faces new challenges. This session will take an in-depth look at the ongoing effort to gain traction in the housing market. It will consider all aspects of ZEM projects and highlight successes and failures, thermal envelope and HVAC innovations, hurdles to overcome, and the outlook for the future.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Schneider
Peter Schneider provides technical support to builders, architects, engineers, affordable housing agencies, and homeowners participating in Efficiency Vermont certified high-performance homes, LEED for homes, and Passive House programs. Peter’s objective is to help clients design and construct more energy-efficient, healthful, durable, and sustainable buildings. He runs Vermont’s zero energy modular (ZEM) program and offers technical support to VEIC-led ZEM projects nationwide.
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Demystifying Digital Marketing: What Tactics Work for Home Performance and What Should You Be Spending?
Crossroads, Residential- Peter Troast, Energy Circle
The digital advertising and lead generation landscapes have changed dramatically as they affect home performance and HVAC businesses. Google launches new products, paid search continues to grow more complex, the third-party review landscape is changing, and Facebook retains its dominance. These factors present a significant opportunity for contractors to lower marketing costs and better the bottom line. While implementing these updates and remaining vigilant about growth opportunities, business owners must ask: What are we comfortable paying for a lead, and is that lead exclusive? What is the likelihood that lead will turn into an estimate or job? We will discuss these and other questions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Troast
Peter Troast is the founder and CEO of Energy Circle, a team of digital marketing experts and strategists who work with more than 350 HVAC, solar, insulation, and home performance companies. He is a passionate advocate for the power of the whole house home performance business model, and is a popular and high-ranking speaker about marketing for contractors. In 2015, he received the Tony Woods Award for excellence in advancing the home performance industry.
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Deep and Holistic Energy Efficiency Applications
Building Systems, Commercial- Thomas Durkin, Durkin and Villalta Partners Engineering
The presenter was a panelist on the April 2018 ASHRAE webcast “Making Energy Efficiency a Reality.” This session will examine four case studies featured in the webcast in much greater detail, two of which won ASHRAE Technology Awards. All of them demonstrate “outside the box” thinking that resulted in better buildings with exceptional efficiency and without increased cost. The presenter will concentrate on the successful application of technology transfer and integrating multiple HVAC concepts into coherent systems.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Thomas Durkin
Thomas Durkin is senior partner of Durkin and Villalta Partners Engineering. Recognized for innovation and creativity, he is a nationally sought-after speaker and promoter of energy-smart systems. He has either invented or pioneered the implementation of nine distinct HVAC innovations, all of which save energy and reduce pollution. Tom’s design work has won 12 state, national, and international awards, including two ASHRAE Technology Awards. He has written many articles for the ASHRAE Journal and other industry magazines, and is a co-author of the HVAC Pump Handbook, the definitive text on all things hydronic.
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Non-Energy Benefits—Three Exciting New Programs at Efficiency Vermont
Commercial, Commercial- Lauren Morlino, Efficiency Vermont
- Ali White, VEIC
This presentation will explore the non-energy benefits associated with three new Efficiency Vermont programs: Whole Building Controls (energy efficiency, optimized space utilization, asset management, etc.), Refrigerant Leak Detection and Remediation (energy efficiency, carbon savings, equipment reliability, product safety), Indoor Agriculture (energy efficiency, product quality, building health). We will show energy efficiency measures as one factor among many motivating customers to undertake projects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Lauren Morlino
Lauren Morlino researches and prototypes exciting, innovative, and efficient technologies and services for Vermont ratepayers. During her last six years at Efficiency Vermont, Lauren has researched and designed initiatives for lighting, controls, and consumer electronics. She is an external advisor on lighting program design, and has published on lighting and non-lighting topics. Lauren has presented at national conferences including ACEEE, DesignLights Consortium, and Esource.
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Ali White
Ali White, CEM, is an energy consultant in VEIC’s engineering division, providing technical analysis and project management to commercial and industrial customers. Her skill set includes conducting energy audits, identifying innovative and cost-effective energy efficiency measures, and project prioritization through comprehensive energy and non-energy benefit analyses. Ali provides refrigeration, HVAC, lighting, and process efficiency services to the grocery, brewery, and dairy manufacturing sectors, with a specific focus on refrigerant management, refrigerant conversion, and leak repair in large refrigeration systems.
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The Evolution of Mid-Rise Design: Increasing Opportunities with Wood
Enclosure, Commercial- Ricky McLain, WoodWorks
Increasingly, wood buildings of five, six and more stories are rising up among traditional concrete and steel shells as designers and developers embrace timber's vast potential for lower costs, faster installation, and a significantly lighter carbon footprint. Through the use of project examples, this session will illustrate trends in both residential and commercial mid-rise buildings. Topics will include current code allowances that offer opportunities for taller buildings, design strategies for improved building performance and code-compliant options for meeting fire and life safety requirements.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Ricky McLain
Ricky McLain is WoodWorks’ in-house expert on tall wood buildings, providing analysis and guidance on architectural, fire and life safety, and structural design topics related to tall mass timber projects. He supports the architecture, engineering, and construction community both directly and collaboratively and guides the development of education and resources related to tall wood buildings. Ricky is executive director of the Structural Engineers Association of Vermont, and a member of numerous committees and councils related to building design.
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2020 HVAC, a Showcase of Emerging Systems
Building Systems, Residential- Matt Sargent, VEIC
- Jake Marin, Efficiency Vermont
2020 HVAC is a technology overview/showcase. Today’s market offers many new systems, and it can be confusing for professionals trying to stay current. The session will examine a catalog of residential HVAC system types and give recommendations and best practices for each system. This presentation will cover complete domestic hot water solutions, ventilation systems with integrated distribution, centrally ducted heat pumps, air-to-water heat pumps, mini-split heat pumps, and advanced wood heating systems. It will explore best practices for integrating new technologies with existing systems and how to use controls to optimize system performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Matt Sargent
Matt Sargent is a senior energy consultant at Efficiency Vermont, where he helps Vermonters build energy-efficient buildings. With over 30 years of experience as a builder and energy consultant, Matt has a passion for integrating advanced building envelopes with the right systems to ensure efficiency, comfort, health, and longevity. Recent work at Efficiency Vermont has allowed him to dive deep into residential HVAC systems.
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Jake Marin
Jake Marin is the HVAC and Refrigeration Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. Moving into this role in 2014, he quickly began the process of restructuring how EVT supports HVAC for residential and commercial customers. In his tenure, he has ceased all support of fossil fuel heating system equipment, while refocusing resources on renewable thermal technologies such as heat pumps and advanced wood heating. He works closely with the supply chain to ensure that the most efficient products are available and that installers have the training they need to sell and install efficient equipment. Additionally, he has worked with an exceptional team to increase EVT’s involvement with commercial refrigeration, transforming what was a fringe activity, into one of the major ways EVT helps small to large businesses save large amounts of energy and make them more economically viable. In prior roles, Jake has been an energy consultant, a contractor and an entrepreneur. He brings this experience and a good deal of enthusiasm to his work, transforming the way Vermonters do building mechanical. Management, Jake has been integrating these concepts into our programmatic offerings.
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Ensuring Demand for Efficiency Over Time: Energy Education in Vermont
Crossroads, Residential- Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance
- Cara Robechek, Vermont Energy Education Program
Educating youth is critical to combating climate change and ensuring a growing market for efficiency and renewables. The Vermont Energy Education Program provides learning experiences for K-12 students throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, using the best hands-on science teaching techniques to engage students’ curiosity to understand energy and climate science. Students’ inventiveness and passion for the environment are engaged in actually making change in their schools, their homes, and their own energy use. Participants will see the tools being brought into schools and be inspired by what the next generation is learning.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Andy Shapiro
Andy Shapiro has provided high-performance building energy analysis, design, and monitoring consulting services for more than 30 years. He provides guidance and technical expertise along the path of conceptualization, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy assessment for optimizing environmental impact, indoor environmental quality, operating and maintenance costs, and building durability. He is also the director of science and engineering for the Vermont Energy Education Program, teaching energy literacy to the next generation.
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Cara Robechek
Cara Robechek is the Executive Director of Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP) and its New Hampshire Energy Education Project (NHEEP). Cara has been with VEEP since 2014. Prior to her work at VEEP, she spent eight years teaching courses such as Environmental Communication, Environmental Economics, Current Environmental Issues, and Children, Health and Environment for Community College of Vermont, Johnson State College, and the University of Vermont. Cara worked in nonprofit development and management at the Center for Whole Communities in Waitsfield, VT, as well as serving on the board of Planting Hope, as an elected Parks Commissioner for the City of Montpelier, and as a member of the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee. Cara has a BA in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College, and an MS in Renewable Natural Resources and Development from the University of East Anglia. She lives in Montpelier with her husband and two children, and enjoys playing on or in water, walking and cross-country skiing in the woods, and listening to her children playing music.
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Healthy Homes & Home Performance: Making the Homeowner Connection
Enclosure, Residential- Peter Troast, Energy Circle
One of the greatest challenges the home performance industry faces is how to connect consumer demand for healthy homes with private market opportunities for home performance improvement. The demand for and awareness of healthy homes continues to grow, but few homeowners connect health issues with the systems that make up their home. The presenter will explain the trajectory of the healthy homes movement within home performance, and unpack how contractors can bridge this communication gap with homeowners, as well as cover the foundations of a healthier home business and marketing strategy.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Troast
Peter Troast is the founder and CEO of Energy Circle, a team of digital marketing experts and strategists who work with more than 350 HVAC, solar, insulation, and home performance companies. He is a passionate advocate for the power of the whole house home performance business model, and is a popular and high-ranking speaker about marketing for contractors. In 2015, he received the Tony Woods Award for excellence in advancing the home performance industry.
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Lean Thinking Applied to All Energy Usage
Commercial, Commercial- Kevin Vidmar, Loureiro Engineering Associates
This presentation will discuss typical "LEAN" principles, and then apply these principles to energy reduction at all sorts of different sites. Attendees will learn that "LEAN" does not just apply to manufacturing, but applies to all of life, and especially energy. Among other things, this presentation will discuss value-add, versus non-value-add, and also normal and abnormal energy usage. Specific examples will be shown for industry, commercial, hospital, and residential settings.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Kevin Vidmar
Kevin Vidmar is the vice president of energy services for Loureiro Engineering Associates. He has more than 30 years of industrial experience, working with worldwide sites on their energy reduction opportunities. He has a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University, and is a certified energy manager, certified energy auditor, and certified professional in energy management systems.
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Good Enough—Hitting the Energy Jackpot
Building Systems, Residential- Samantha Dunn, Housing Vermont
- Gregg Gossens, gbA
- Jon Haehnel, BVH Integrated Services, P.C.
- Steve Poole, VHV
Wentworth Community Housing is a 30-unit new construction mixed-income housing project developed by Twin Pines Housing and Housing Vermont, designed by gbA, and constructed by ReArch Company. The team’s goal from the beginning was to create a building with a high-performance shell; an aggressive air-sealing target; and a simple, low-life-cycle-cost HVAC system to create a sustainable, low maintenance building with viable operating budget. The presenters will share how they achieved this goal, including 0.0375 CFM50/sq. ft. on its final blower door test, with teamwork, careful attention to design details, in-progress air-sealing testing, and creative electrical, HVAC and controls design work.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Samantha Dunn
Samantha Dunn is a developer at Housing Vermont with a particular interest in high-performance, sustainable design. Samantha created an energy model spreadsheet to help guide the innovative design/build HVAC process for the Wentworth Community Housing project. Her efforts resulted in a first of its kind HVAC system for Housing Vermont.
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Gregg Gossens
Gregg Gossens is one of the founding partners of gbA. He is a committed believer in a collaborative creative process and the ability of design to transform and enhance communities. Gregg is also an adjunct professor at the Norwich University School of Architecture and Art.
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Jon Haehnel
Jon has been testing and inspecting institutional and commercial buildings for over 18 years. Mr. Haehnel has tested buildings as large as a city block in Manhattan and as small as an automated weather station slated for Antarctica. Jon's expertise is in building envelope comissioning and design. Most of his work focuses on new and retrofit construction but he also does forensic testing to determine the root cause of high energy costs, mold, ice dams, and pipe freeze-ups. Jon is a certified Building Performance Institute (BPI) Building Analyst and Envelope Specialist and Level I thermographer. Jon is regular presenter at Better Buildings by Design.
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Steve Poole
Steve Poole has been with VHV for more than 15 years. His strength lies in his ability to quickly spot creative ways to save energy on new and retrofit projects. He has a broad range of experience in the commercial and industrial sectors, with expertise in refrigeration, HVAC plumbing, process piping, and specialty gas systems.
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Fossil Fuel Free at Last: Air-to-Water Heat Pump and Ventilation Retrofit
Building Systems, Residential- Brian Just, VEIC
This presentation takes a hand-on approach to two hot topics: air-to-water heat pumps and fresh air (balanced) ventilation. A photo-rich overview of a retrofit project is provided, along with full costing info so that the audience can understand impacts from all angles. Data provided will help people understand system performance from both energy and non-energy perspectives. Given the heavily boiler-based New England market, participants will walk away with new understanding of the potential of this new class of efficient heating equipment, plus the opportunities and co-benefits of other HVAC equipment installed alongside it.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Brian Just
Brian Just manages Efficiency Vermont’s team of Residential New Construction energy consultants and works on a variety of energy efficiency initiatives at VEIC. He is Passive House and LEED AP accredited, and currently serves as president of the Vermont Green Building Network. Brian is committed to serving the residential design and construction community as its members pave the way to a future of highly efficient—but also healthy, durable, and comfortable—homes.
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Solar Roofing - A Better Way to Go Solar
Crossroads, Residential- Oliver Koehler, SunTegra
Solar roofing is an exciting new way to go solar. The presenting company, based in Highland, New York, is a leader in this space. The presentation will provide building professionals an overview of how solar roofing products compare to conventional solar panels, considering their benefits and challenges and their current and future economics. The presenter will also spend time showing some samples and answer participants’ questions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Oliver Koehler
Oliver Koehler has worked in the solar industry for more than 15 years. His experience includes working with leading PV manufacturers such as SunPower and BP Solar and with startups such as BIPV Inc. and Integrated Solar Technology, where he is currently CEO and founder. His expertise involves the development, manufacture, and marketing of solar products.
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How to Draw Down Carbon Now with Our Buildings: Practical Solutions and Design Strategies (Part 1)
Enclosure, Residential- Chris Magwood, Endeavour Centre
- Ace McArleton, New Frameworks
- Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks
A practical companion to the keynote speech, this session delves into hands-on, technical solutions for storing carbon in buildings. The presenters will demonstrate carbon-storing materials and their use in buildings; share design strategies to yield carbon-storing buildings; introduce tools to evaluate embodied carbon in design projects; and explore resources and action steps. The time frame for us to reverse the trajectory on climate change is extremely short: less than 10 years. Help build the industry movement to become climate heroes and leaders in carbon drawdown!
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Magwood
Chris Magwood is the executive director of the Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school in Ontario. In 1998 he co-founded Camel’s Back Construction, and as a contractor, designed and built more than 30 homes and commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building, and is currently working on an MA at Trent University, studying the carbon storage potential of the built environment.
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Ace McArleton
Ace McArleton founded New Frameworks Natural Design/Build in 2006 to offer green remodeling and new construction services blending natural building materials and methods with high-performance design. Ace instructs in the Natural Building Certificate Program at the Yestermorrow School, is co-author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), and led his business’s conversion to a worker cooperative in 2016. Ace is passionate about finding practical, regional solutions for building healthy, just communities.
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Jacob Deva Racusin
Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks, offering design, construction, consultation, and education services featuring low-impact high-performance building technologies. He is also program director of the certificate program in building science and net zero design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor. Jacob is the author of the books Essential Building Science and The Natural Building Companion.
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Grid-Connected Homes and Businesses
Crossroads, Residential and Commercial- Graham Turk, Green Mountain Power Corporation
- Julia Leopold, Vermont Public Power Supply Authority
- Lisa Morris, Vermont Electric Cooperative
- Bill Powell, Washington Electric Cooperative
- James Gibbons, Burlington Electric Department
Vermont’s distribution utilities are on the leading edge in promoting strategic electrification, renewable energy, and load management through controls and behavioral modifications. These efforts help them manage system load, increase the use of available clean energy, and reduce energy costs. In this session, several of Vermont’s electric utilities will share their efforts to promote and implement grid-connected devices in homes and businesses to leverage renewable energy and lower demand costs through flexible load management.
Presentation(s):
- Grid-Connected Homes and Businesses: Introduction & Vermont Electric Co-op
- Grid-Connected Homes and Businesses: GMP
- Grid-Connected Homes and Businesses: Washington Electric Co-op Powershift Pilot
- Grid-Connected Homes and Businesses: VPPSA
- Grid-Connected Homes and Businesses: Burlington Electric Department
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Graham Turk
Graham Turk is a member of the Innovation Development team at Green Mountain Power (GMP). His work involves designing and executing innovative pilot projects that test new technologies and business models. These efforts contribute to GMP’s larger mission to transform the energy system into one that is more distributed, carbon-free, and community-centered, while reducing costs and increasing reliability for customers. Prior to GMP, Graham completed a Fulbright grant in Sweden on peer-to-peer solar energy markets. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.
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Julia Leopold
Julia Leopold joined VPPSA in 2019 as a communications specialist. Julia handles media requests, public relations, marketing outreach, and internal communications. She holds a bachelor of science degree in atmospheric science from Cornell University and has nearly a decade of experience as an on-air broadcast meteorologist.
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Lisa Morris
Coming from an urban planning background, Lisa was excited to discover how dynamic and interesting the energy sector is after joining Vermont Electric Cooperative seven years ago. She works on VEC’s Energy Transformation Program, Co-op Community Solar, net metering, flexible load, and other special programs at VEC. She loves seeing the cooperative model in action, interacting with VEC members, and getting to be part of shaping Vermont’s energy future.
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Bill Powell
In 1991 Bill Powell began his co-op career as WEC’s first “Director of Energy Management Services”. Having operated a small construction company in a prior life, as well as a volunteer role as the executive director of the (then) Solar Association of Vermont, his role at WEC has evolved.
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James Gibbons
James L. Gibbons heads the Policy and Planning Team at Burlington Electric Department. The Policy and Planning Team is responsible for wholesale power market interactions, energy contracting, renewability, strategic electrification program design, and long term planning. James joined BED in 2008. Prior to that he worked for almost 20 years at the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority where he was initially responsible for load forecasting and energy efficiency, moved to rates and rate design, and from 2003 on managed the organization’s power supply and transmission activities. James was a key participant in securing BED’s 100% renewable energy portfolio.
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Water, Vapor, Air: How Physics Can Help You Choose the Right Membrane
Enclosure, Residential- John Straube, RDH Building Science
Vapor barriers continue to be a source of confusion to many. When is an air barrier also a vapor barrier? When should it be one? New requirements, assemblies, and materials have added new questions. Do smart barriers work? When should they be used? The presenter will walk attendees through the science of condensation and air control to illuminate which materials work in different situations—and why.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
John Straube
John Straube, Ph.D., P.E., senior building science specialist, is a principal at RDH Building Science, where he heads forensic investigations and leads research projects in the areas of low-energy building design, building enclosure performance, hygrothermal analysis, and field monitoring of wall assemblies. He is also a faculty member in the School of Architecture and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Building Science Education from the National Consortium of Housing Research Centers (NCHRC).
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Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Addison Northwest School District Save Taxpayer Money
Building Systems, Commercial- Mike Davey, Energy Efficiency Investments
Addison Northwest School District is made up of three elementary schools feeding into a unified middle and high school. The buildings varied in terms of comfort, efficiency, and safety. This project addressed a number of deficiencies in lighting, ventilation, and heat in all four buildings, with a focus on the Vergennes Elementary School and the high school. Combined with a new solar array at the high school, savings have been substantial. The high school fuel usage declined 15% per degree day, and electric use dropped 43%. This session will delve into the details.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Mike Davey
Mike Davey is the business development manager for Energy Efficient Investments (EEI). EEI is a performance contractor focusing on energy-efficient and renewable solutions. The EEI team has completed comprehensive performance contracts for Bennington School District, BROC, and the Addison Northwest School District. Mike has been in the energy efficiency and construction industry for more than 15 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology and a master’s from University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
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Zero Energy Now—Vermont’s Existing Homes Solution
Building Systems, Residential- Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
- Russ Flanigan, Building Energy
- Tom Perry, New Leaf Design, LLC
- Li Ling Young, VEIC
The Building Performance Professionals Association of Vermont launched the Zero Energy Now pilot program several years ago. The concept applied a coordinated strategy of weatherization, heat pumps, biofuels, and solar PV – and delivered more than 60% fossil fuel and electric grid savings across 24 projects in existing Vermont homes. The presenters take lessons learned and share actual savings results, along with a discussion of the future of a Zero Energy Now program in Vermont. Participants – contractors, especially – are invited to learn more about a program in which they can participate that has the potential to deliver exceptional results and move Vermont substantially towards its 2050 climate goals.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Richard Faesy
Richard Faesy is a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group (EFG) in Hinesburg, Vermont. He has more than 30 years of experience in the clean energy industry working with hundreds of clients and programs throughout the U.S. and Canada. Prior to founding EFG, Richard worked at the VEIC for 21 years.
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Russ Flanigan
Russ Flanigan is a senior energy analyst and solar project manager at Building Energy Vermont. He cut his teeth in the building trades and energy efficiency in Vermont and Southern California. Since 2008, Russ has focused on the whole house approach to residential energy efficiency, with a passion for net-zero and near-zero homes. He is a Vermont Building Professionals Association board member and runs day-to-day operations of a thriving solar and heat pump division.
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Tom Perry
Tom Perry has been a residential building contractor for more than 30 years, and a BPI certified weatherization contractor for the last 12 years. He is now devoting as much time as possible to developing and promoting the Zero Energy Now concept in Vermont. His company, New Leaf Design, is a research and development company dedicated to designing economically viable strategies to assist businesses and industries in adapting and transforming to a near-term carbon-minimal economy.
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Li Ling Young
Li Ling Young works through Efficiency Vermont to support the design and construction of healthy, comfortable, energy-efficient homes. For the last five years, Li Ling has focused on the challenges of upgrading Vermont’s existing housing stock for an energy-constrained and carbon-taxed future. Through direct consultation, instrumentation and monitoring of energy retrofit projects, and analysis, Li Ling’s work has supported a cost-optimized approach to home zero energy retrofits.
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The Ghosts Among Us – Reducing Air Infiltration from the Darkest Recesses to Dramatically Improve Comfort and Energy Performance
Enclosure, Residential- Mary Jane Poynter, VEIC
- Allison Ross, VEIC
- Karen Bushey, VEIC
Building air tightness is a 30-year-old concept but buildings have not always maximized the long-term benefits of focusing attention on air sealing details. Air tightness in multifamily and commercial buildings in Vermont has improved over the last 15 years. Both energy modeling and actual energy usage has shown that lower air leakage rates can have a bigger impact on building energy usage and system sizing than adding more insulation to the building walls and roof. This presentation will include blower door test data and demonstrate how buildings have achieved increasingly tighter envelopes. We will present energy modeling data to illustrate air sealing and insulation impacts on energy use and discuss the top five strategies to ensure tight building envelopes.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Mary Jane Poynter
Mary Jane Poynter is a senior energy consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. She specializes in commercial, government, industrial, and multifamily building energy projects, working primarily with Efficiency Vermont and DC Sustainability Energy Utilities. She has worked on projects across the spectrum of new construction and renovation, and in the affordable housing market. Mary Jane is a certified energy manager, a certified master gardener, and a 17-year member of her local ASHRAE chapter.
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Allison Ross
Allison Ross, C.E.M. is an energy consultant with VEIC. She focuses on multifamily, commercial, and military energy efficiency work. Her technical focus is on building thermal shell, and her research interest is energy resiliency and microgrids, particularly within military context. An Army veteran, she holds a BS in Environmental Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MS in Environmental Science from the University of Illinois.
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Karen Bushey
Karen Bushey, AIA, LEED AP, CPHC, PHIUS+ Rater, is a VEIC energy consultant with over 20 years of experience in the field of high-performance building design and construction. At VEIC, Karen has helped project teams create comfortable, durable, low-energy buildings that optimize their performance with cost-effective solutions. Karen’s knowledge and experience in high-performance building has been key to the success of many residential, multifamily, and commercial projects in New England, including several award-wining Passive House buildings.
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How to Draw Down Carbon Now with Our Buildings: Practical Solutions and Design Strategies (Part 2)
Enclosure, Residential- Chris Magwood, Endeavour Centre
- Ace McArleton, New Frameworks
- Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks
A practical companion to the keynote speech, this session delves into hands-on, technical solutions for storing carbon in buildings. The presenters will demonstrate carbon-storing materials and their use in buildings; share design strategies to yield carbon-storing buildings; introduce tools to evaluate embodied carbon in design projects; and explore resources and action steps. The time frame for us to reverse the trajectory on climate change is extremely short: less than 10 years. Help build the industry movement to become climate heroes and leaders in carbon drawdown!
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Magwood
Chris Magwood is the executive director of the Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school in Ontario. In 1998 he co-founded Camel’s Back Construction, and as a contractor, designed and built more than 30 homes and commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. Chris has authored seven books on sustainable building, and is currently working on an MA at Trent University, studying the carbon storage potential of the built environment.
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Ace McArleton
Ace McArleton founded New Frameworks Natural Design/Build in 2006 to offer green remodeling and new construction services blending natural building materials and methods with high-performance design. Ace instructs in the Natural Building Certificate Program at the Yestermorrow School, is co-author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), and led his business’s conversion to a worker cooperative in 2016. Ace is passionate about finding practical, regional solutions for building healthy, just communities.
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Jacob Deva Racusin
Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks, offering design, construction, consultation, and education services featuring low-impact high-performance building technologies. He is also program director of the certificate program in building science and net zero design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor. Jacob is the author of the books Essential Building Science and The Natural Building Companion.
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Solar Plus—Electrifying Our Lives Provides a Better ROI
Crossroads, Residential- Kimberley Quirk, ReVision Energy
Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects are often evaluated for their return on investment, whether it is to justify the financing method or to understand the savings over time. This presentation will look at the return on investment of various projects, including solar PV systems, air source heat pumps, water heaters, and electric vehicle chargers. It will also discuss combinations of systems powered with solar PV to see how much better the return on investment can be as we move to electrify more and more of our energy uses.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Kimberley Quirk
Kim Quirk is the Upper Valley branch manager for ReVision Energy, which merged with her business, Energy Emporium, in early 2019. ReVision provides design, installation, and maintenance services for solar systems, heat pumps, battery systems, and EV chargers. Kim completed the renovation of her 1850s building to a net-zero energy building, which met her goals of no fossil fuels, no combustion, LEED-H best practices, and preserving the embodied energy of the building.
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Fuzzy Solutions: Safe, High-performance Enclosures with No Foam
Enclosure, Residential- John Straube, RDH Building Science
Foam plastics have a lot of nice characteristics for enclosure design, but they’re not right for every project. Increasingly, designers or owners are asking for options for unvented roofs, interior retrofits, and low-slope roofs that use only fibrous (mineral and organic) insulation. This session will investigate the different concerns to address when using fibrous insulation, and discuss techniques to allow for the same airtightness, condensation resistance, and diffusion control. Case studies and monitoring results from actual projects will be presented.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
John Straube
John Straube, Ph.D., P.E., senior building science specialist, is a principal at RDH Building Science, where he heads forensic investigations and leads research projects in the areas of low-energy building design, building enclosure performance, hygrothermal analysis, and field monitoring of wall assemblies. He is also a faculty member in the School of Architecture and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Building Science Education from the National Consortium of Housing Research Centers (NCHRC).
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Better Buildings through Better Chemistry
Commercial, Commercial- Lisa Carey Moore, Integrated Eco Strategy
- Charley Stevenson, Integrated Eco Strategy
How does a project succeed in being a healthier building? First, it is not an all-or-nothing endeavor, rather a spectrum of effort with many entry points. Second, it is easier to get started than you think. In this session we will cover easy steps and modest goals all the way through to ambitious efforts by going beyond the basics and delving deeply into not just products, but also into process. Using examples and experience from a wide range of project types, we will discuss opportunities, costs, hurdles, and solutions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Lisa Carey Moore
Lisa Carey Moore is involved in all phases of projects to provide support to teams looking for materials that avoid ingredients of concern. She works closely with design teams who want specific products, and with contractors looking to address “Red List” issues. She’s been involved in the materials research, and project support, for three Living Certified projects: Williams College’s Class of ’66 Center, the R.W. Kern Center, and the Hitchcock Center for the Environment.
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Charley Stevenson
Charley Stevenson has been delving deep into healthier building materials since beginning work on his first Living Building Challenge project in 2011. With the team at Integrated Eco Strategy, he has developed processes and software to integrate better materials selections into all project types and to transform the market. The Red2Green platform has reduced Red List research and documentation efforts by a factor of three while building up a library of more than 10,000 products.
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Flexible Load Management: Results from the Green Mountain Power FLM Pilot
Commercial, Commercial- Marcus Jones, VEIC
- Morgan Casella, Dynamic Organics, LLC
- Jeff Monder, Green Mountain Power
Review the results from the Green Mountain Power Flexible Load Management pilot. We will also share lessons learned as well as highlight examples from the various customers. Flexible Load Management is one of EVT’s evolved services that is being explored put forth in the DRP. Highlighting the results to date from the Green Mountain Power Flexible Load Management pilot will help to educate the attendees what it is and why it is so important.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Marcus Jones
Marcus Jones is an energy consultant in VEIC’s engineering group, specializing in HVAC and control system strategies. With more than 20 years of experience in the building construction, maintenance, and energy efficiency industries, he is a technical expert in commercial and industrial markets. Marcus is the technical lead for predictive control strategies and flexible load management practices for efficient buildings as a means to support grid stability.
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Morgan Casella
Morgan Casella is managing partner of Dynamic Organics (DO), where he has worked for over 10 years in sustainable energy and HVAC efficiency project development, design, construction, and operations and maintenance. Morgan has experience with solar development, anaerobic digestion, landfill gas-to-energy generation, and building energy systems including HVAC design, optimization, installation, and retrofits. Morgan has an extensive background in the development and design of renewable energy and efficiency projects, with a focus on distribution, transmission, and efficiency utility regulatory requirements.
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Jeff Monder
Jeff Monder has over 26 years of experience in the utility industry, mostly dedicated to information technologies and project and organizational leadership. Most recently, Jeff has been a leader in innovation development, devising and introducing new programs to help residential, commercial, and industrial customers increase efficiency and productivity, reduce their carbon footprint, and save money. Jeff is deeply engaged in the evolution of the utility model to meet new opportunities and challenges, while satisfying the highest standards for reliability, cost-effectiveness, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
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Want to Save Energy? Its About The Outside Air!
Building Systems, Commercial- Barry Stephens, Ventacity Systems Inc
This session will present a very effective model that has been established across North America to retrofit existing HVAC systems on small to medium-sized commercial buildings in order to achieve very significant energy savings, improved indoor air quality (IAQ), and comfort. The presentation will provide multiple case studies with data detailing where the savings are realized, and how IAQ and comfort are also enhanced. And the presentation will outline the steps to implementing and installing these retrofits to meet both energy efficiency goals and a reasonable financial ROI.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Barry Stephens
Barry Stephens is the Northeast region sales manager for Ventacity Systems, Inc. He joined Ventacity, a startup manufacturer of very high performance, Passive House certified heat recovery ventilation and energy recovery ventilation systems, as well as advanced control systems, in 2016. Prior to that he spent 15 years at Zehnder America, Inc. He led the introduction of Zehnder systems in North America, and has been involved with high-performance projects across North America since 2008.
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Net-Zero Lessons Learned: Design, Construction, and Two Years of Living in a High-Performance Home
Enclosure, Residential- Jean Terwilliger, Vermont Integrated Architecture
When we have the privilege to design for ourselves, how do we narrow the infinite options into a coherent project while balancing cost and performance? This presentation will walk through the steps of finding an appropriate site, developing a program and budget, and working through schematic design; then dig into the details of choosing materials, pushing the envelope on the mechanical systems, keeping the budget in check, and deciding whether to certify and through which system; and finally discuss what it is like to live in a high-performance net-zero home for two years, and the lessons learned to carry into future projects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Jean Terwilliger
Jean Terwilliger, AIA, NCARB, CPHC, is a project architect with Vermont Integrated Architecture (VIA) specializing in the design of sustainable buildings using collaborative design methods and cost-effective green building technologies. She is currently working on several high-performance custom homes and a new affordable housing complex in Vergennes, and built her own almost passive house in 2018. Jean spent many years working for herself while raising two children, and joined VIA in 2014.
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The Environmental Impact of Refrigerants: Past, Present, and Future
Commercial, Commercial- Ethan Bellavance, VEIC
- Ali White, VEIC
- Jake Marin, Efficiency Vermont
This presentation will bridge the gap between commercial and residential stakeholders and will introduce a more commercial topic (refrigeration) in a high-level format that should be of interest to anyone affected by impending legislation, as well as anyone who is passionate about the environment. Refrigerant management is the primary way a global society can mitigate climate change. This presentation will educate attendees and empower them to make a difference.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Ethan Bellavance
Ethan Bellavance is a Senior Energy Consultant in VEIC’s Energy Services Division, specializing in refrigeration project management for customers in and out of Vermont. He works directly with businesses to identify optimal energy efficiency solutions for their business models and strategies, conducting technical and financial analyses that support these solutions. A seasoned refrigeration retro-commissioning project manager for larger commercial and industrial facilities, Ethan has managed refrigeration energy efficiency, leak remediation, and pressure control projects at well over 100 sites. Ethan is lead of the Refrigeration Technical Solutions Group, specializing in contractor engagement, natural refrigerant adoption, and designing industry leading refrigeration energy efficiency programs.
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Ali White
Ali White, CEM, is an energy consultant in VEIC’s engineering division, providing technical analysis and project management to commercial and industrial customers. Her skill set includes conducting energy audits, identifying innovative and cost-effective energy efficiency measures, and project prioritization through comprehensive energy and non-energy benefit analyses. Ali provides refrigeration, HVAC, lighting, and process efficiency services to the grocery, brewery, and dairy manufacturing sectors, with a specific focus on refrigerant management, refrigerant conversion, and leak repair in large refrigeration systems.
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Jake Marin
Jake Marin is the HVAC and Refrigeration Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. Moving into this role in 2014, he quickly began the process of restructuring how EVT supports HVAC for residential and commercial customers. In his tenure, he has ceased all support of fossil fuel heating system equipment, while refocusing resources on renewable thermal technologies such as heat pumps and advanced wood heating. He works closely with the supply chain to ensure that the most efficient products are available and that installers have the training they need to sell and install efficient equipment. Additionally, he has worked with an exceptional team to increase EVT’s involvement with commercial refrigeration, transforming what was a fringe activity, into one of the major ways EVT helps small to large businesses save large amounts of energy and make them more economically viable. In prior roles, Jake has been an energy consultant, a contractor and an entrepreneur. He brings this experience and a good deal of enthusiasm to his work, transforming the way Vermonters do building mechanical. Management, Jake has been integrating these concepts into our programmatic offerings.
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Pellet Stoves – The Renewable, Affordable, Hygge Heating Solution That’s Available Now
Building Systems, Residential- Emma Hanson, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation
For thousands of homeowners making the switch to renewables is both daunting and financially untenable. Solution? The pellet stove. For just $3-$4k a homeowner can install an auxiliary heat source that is pleasant to look at, clean burning, easy to run, and renewable - easily offsetting 70-99% of their fossil heating fuel while still retaining their fossil system as backup.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: TBD
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Emma Hanson
Emma brings a diverse background in sales, communications and environmental policy to the world of wood energy. After staffing the Forestry Committee of the Working Lands Enterprise Board at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture for two years, she took on the new position of Wood Energy Coordinator at the VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation in 2017. She holds a M.S. in Agriculture, Food & Environmental Policy from Tufts University in Boston.
Keynote Address by Ruth Ann Norton
Download a copy of the Registration Brochure (PDF)
Download a copy of the Conference Program (PDF)
Attend the workshops to earn continuing education credits. Credit approval is listed after each session description. Passive House Institute of US (PHIUS) credits are approved by day, not by session. Day 1 has been approved for 6 CPHC CEUs. Day 2 has been approved for 4.5 CEUs. Passivhaus Institute (PHI) credits are approved for the full conference at 8 credit points.
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Am I Nothing Yet?
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- David Keefe, Efficiency Vermont
What is net zero? It’s simple in concept, but complicated in details. Can a house that uses a gas kitchen stove ever be net zero? If you send to the grid an amount of electricity equal to the on-site gas use, does that change things? What about a house that uses wood for a portion of the space heat? Should we be talking about net-zero buildings or net-zero properties? Does the gas for the lawn mower matter? If we build a low-energy home out in the boonies, should transportation be considered in the equation? What about net-zero people, or net-zero households? Is zero an exact sum or a round number? If you’re trying to get your house/property/family/life to net zero, how do you know when you get there? Participants are advised that the presenter doesn’t really know the answers to these questions, but has some ideas. Attendees should bring their own ideas to the session, especially if they feel strongly about them, and perhaps together some progress can be made toward answering them.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
David Keefe
David Keefe is a fifth-generation Vermonter and a hippie environmentalist. He has worked for the last 34 years as a contractor, consultant, and teacher, focusing mostly on making existing homes work better. He has received awards from the State of Vermont and the U.S. DOE for energy innovation, and in 2011 Dave was named one of the 25 most influential people in the home performance industry by Affordable Comfort. In 2017, Dave received the Linda Wigington Leadership Award from the Home Performance Coalition. He is currently part of the Home Performance team at Efficiency Vermont.
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Light, Color, and Improved Color Quality Possibilities with LED Solutions
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Ron Gibbons, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
- Eric Haugaard, Cree Lighting
- Brienne Willcock, Illuminart
Through the ongoing advancements of LED technology, the possibility of providing improved color quality performance and value has never been greater. This presentation will address aspects of color science and the basics of the human visual system. Included will be a review of the most widely adopted methods and metrics for describing all aspects of color quality and performance, for general illumination solutions. Considering both the Indoor and Outdoor environments, examples illustrating the current and future possibilities for accurately predicting color quality performance, color contrast, layering of light and value in the illuminated space will be discussed, including the metrics incorporated in IES TM-30.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Ron Gibbons
Ron Gibbons is the Director of the Center for Infrastructure Based Safety Systems (CIBSS) at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). He is also the Institute’s lead lighting research scientist. He is currently the PI on projects investigating the impact of outdoor lighting on human health, the Spectral Effects of new light sources on roadways, the visibility of police vehicles and is the subject matter lead for the FHWA office Safety IDIQ contract. Gibbons is the author of over 80 published papers on roadway lighting, photometry, and target visibility. He is a past Director of Division 4 of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) and a past president of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
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Eric Haugaard
Eric Haugaard is the director of product technology for Cree Lighting. His career of 31 years includes a variety of positions primarily focused on advanced lighting systems development. Eric holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, with post-baccalaureate program studies completed at NASA/Ames Research Center at Moffett Naval Air Station. He holds 48 U.S. and 16 foreign patents related to lighting technology.
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Brienne Willcock
Brienne Willcock is a senior associate in lighting design with Illuminart, a division of Peter Basso Associates, near Detroit. Her design perspective has a unique combination of technical insight, creativity, and design sensibility. Brienne often serves as a project manager of in-depth investigations of LED luminaire comparisons and product research, and assists clients with design guidelines, standards, and complex economic analyses. She is past president of the IES Detroit Section, is past IES annual conference chair, and was named an honorary affiliate of the American Institute of Architects.
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Financing Clean Energy in Vermont: A Market Snapshot and Discussion
Business Support, Both Residential and Commercial- Tim Carpenter, Opportunities Credit Union
- Russ Flanigan, Building Energy
- Chris Kramer, Consultant
- Gabrielle Stebbins, Energy Futures Group
Clean energy projects—be they rooftop solar, a deep energy retrofit, an industrial process improvement, or an electric vehicle combined with a charging station—usually require a significant financial investment. What are the current financing offerings? Are they being used? What is working and what is not, in the clean energy finance marketplace in Vermont? Participants will learn what homeowners, businesses, and lenders think with an overview of the first Vermont Clean Energy Finance Report, followed by an audience discussion with a lender, clean energy finance expert, and installer. Attendees can weigh in on what they think is needed in Vermont in the clean energy finance toolbox to propel the state toward its “90% renewable by 2050” goal.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter is the Senior Lending Manager at Opportunities Credit Union, a Community Development Credit Union. He has been employed with Credit Union for just under 6 years. He has been heavily involved in lending/financing since he started at with Opportunities, including consumer, business, and mortgage loans. Opportunities has been providing energy lending products for over 25 years to Vermonters.
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Russ Flanigan
Russ Flanigan is a Senior Energy Analyst and Solar Project Manager at Building Energy in Williston Vermont. He has been in the building trades since the 80s and deeply involved in the energy efficiency world since 2005 initially managing efficiency programs in Southern California for the Energy Coalition and then then a consulting company called EcoMotion. These programs varied from large residential and commercial efficiency programs in multiple cities in the LA area to smaller scale solar/efficiency programs in Santa Monica to municipal greenhouse gas inventory work in the Coachella Valley. Flanigan split his time between his roots in Vermont and California from 2008 to 2014 working on residential scale energy retrofits in Vermont partnered with Home Performance with Energy Star out of Efficiency Vermont while supporting analysis and construction of commercial solar and energy efficiency projects nationwide through the California consultancy. Most recently Flanigan has focused on the whole house approach to energy efficiency through the multifaceted Building Energy and as a board member of the Vermont Building Professionals Association. He has centered on Zero and near Zero homes as well as the day to day operations of a thriving solar and heat pump division. Flanigan lives with his active family in an 1890s home which has ongoing opportunities for energy efficiency.
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Chris Kramer
Chris Kramer provides consulting services to government agencies, utilities, and consumer and environmental advocates on the development of cutting-edge policies and programs to advance investment in energy efficiency. He has served as a financing consultant to the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board, the California Public Utilities Commission and California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the Rhode Island Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council, and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. He has led or contributed to several studies and papers on energy efficiency financing topics, including a national comparison of state Green Bank programs, evaluation and cost-effectiveness methods for assessing energy efficiency financing programs, accessing secondary market capital for energy efficiency financing programs, data collection on energy efficiency financing performance, lessons learned from on-bill financing and repayment programs, and best practices in residential energy efficiency financing program design.
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Gabrielle Stebbins
Gabrielle Stebbins specializes in the development of policy and programs for promotion of renewable energy, strategic electrification, and energy efficiency, including the three together. She has expertise from her work as a consultant, as director of Vermont’s statewide renewable energy industry trade association, as a member of the Vermont System Planning Committee, and as chair of the board of the Burlington Electric Department. Gabrielle brings a grounded understanding of what it takes to develop and foster clean energy legislation and regulation from her experience with management of residential efficiency programs; small-scale renewable energy incentive programs; and pilot programs promoting efficiency, electrification of space heating, and customer-sited renewables.
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Factory-Built, High Performance and Affordable Homes: Notes from the Field
Integrated Design, Residential- Peter Schneider, VEIC
Over seven years ago, Tropical Storm Irene rolled thru Vermont and disproportionately impacted mobile and manufactured homeowners. In its aftermath, many stakeholders such as the State, UVM, affordable housing organizations and Efficiency Vermont came together to evaluate how to rebuild which resulted in Vermont’s Zero Energy Modular (ZEM) initiative. Five years after delivering the first ZEM home, we’ll look at the progress made to date, lessons learned and opportunities and challenges as we move forward. Attendees can anticipate a detailed overview of the construction, delivery and set of a ZEM home, monitoring systems and the resulting post-occupancy data assessing energy, comfort, IAQ and durability. Attendees will also have an opportunity for a personal tour of a ZEM home which will be sited at the conference.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Schneider
Peter provides technical support to builders, architects, engineers, affordable housing agencies, and homeowners participating in Efficiency Vermont Certified: High Performance Homes, LEED for Homes, and Passive House. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Biology from Middlebury College. Peter’s objective is to help clients design and construct more energy-efficient, healthful, durable, and sustainable buildings. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant and LEED for Homes Quality Assurance Designee. He runs Vermont’s Zero Energy Modular program, and offers technical support to VEIC-led ZEM projects nationwide.
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Healthy Homes Are Here to Stay
Integrated Design, Residential- Laura Capps, VEIC
- Brian Just, VEIC
- Melanie Paskevich, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont
The concept of the healthy home is here to stay. But what precisely qualifies as a healthy home? Can it be achieved as part of renovations? What do homeowners gain from it? How can contractors promote it, and can they increase leads using health as a selling point? What are the latest developments in the link between buildings and health? Have builders and contractors been unknowingly making homes unhealthy? In this session, the presenters begin with the basics of the healthy home. They’ll cover three ongoing research projects in Vermont: two health and weatherization pilot programs taking place with regional hospitals, and a ventilation study that measures indoor air quality in the bedrooms of homes that have large differences in airtightness, ventilation systems, and heating systems. They will share key lessons learned from these efforts and suggest ways to prioritize and include health-based efficiency measures in the scope of contracting and design work, and how contractors should/can discuss with homeowners health conditions and expected health outcomes from performing health-based measures. Attendees will learn what local resources are available for support in this field and how to help customers reduce health triggers, select healthier materials, and make smart long-term design decisions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Laura Capps
Laura Capps has provided classroom and field training for over 2,600 professionals nationally on healthy homes and green building. At Efficiency Vermont, Laura facilitates the identification, research, development, and qualification of new disruptive technologies and services for the state’s future energy portfolio. Her current work includes partnering with hospitals and healthcare providers on improving population health through energy efficiency and healthy home interventions in the homes of patients with uncontrolled asthma and COPD. Laura holds degrees in sustainable development and building construction from Appalachian State University and Georgia Tech, respectively, and multiple industry certifications and awards.
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Brian Just
Brian Just manages a team of energy consultants implementing Efficiency Vermont’s residential programs and works on a variety of energy efficiency initiatives at VEIC. A mechanical engineer, he began his career designing and installing custom testing equipment used in aerodynamics research. His master’s degree work focused on biomass combustion and indoor air quality. He is RESNET, Passive House, and LEED AP accredited, and is a Living Building Challenge ambassador presenter. Brian is committed to serving the residential design and construction community as its members pave the way to a future of highly efficient, affordable, healthy, durable homes.
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Melanie Paskevich
Melanie Paskevich has been the NeighborWorks of Western Vermont HEAT Squad program manager since 2010. Melanie advocates for homeowners, working closely with HEAT Squad’s intake specialists, energy auditors, and outreach and marketing teams. She helps homeowners simplify the comprehensive energy upgrade process by coordinating with local contractors, energy committees, and utilities such as Green Mountain Power and Efficiency Vermont. In 2015, she launched Appalachia HEAT Squad in Kentucky. Melanie has over 25 years of experience in the architectural and construction field and a thorough knowledge of the building envelope and the science and technology of energy efficiency. She holds a master of architecture degree.
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How Small, How Inexpensive, Can an Energy Efficient House Be?
Integrated Design, Residential- John Rahill, Black River Design Architects
- Polly Wheeler, Black River Design Architects
This session will discuss a project in East Montpelier, Vermont, that represents one example of balancing the often competing goals of low cost and high efficiency in designing a house for a client retiring to Vermont. His budget is tight, but he understands the economics of investing in energy efficiency. The 1,100-square-foot house utilizes the most proven economical energy-saving features, while the design creates a nice place to live. This session will discuss how the shape and size of a building impacts energy efficiency; how to balance investments in energy savings with energy generation (incremental energy modeling), and the importance of not losing sight of the goal of creating a nice place to live.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
John Rahill
John Rahill is the founder of Black River Design Architects (BRD) of Montpelier, Vermont, now employing 18 people. John’s career has been committed to sustainable and high-performance design with an emphasis on durability, aesthetics, and occupant comfort. Recently, his firm completed a historic renovation and addition designed to be net-zero water and net-zero energy. The project has received “petal” certification from the International Living Futures Institute, achieving six of the seven Living Building Challenge certification criteria. John is an alumnus of the Harvard Graduate School of Design and has served as president of the Vermont Chapter of the AIA and the Solar Association of Vermont.
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Polly Wheeler
Polly Wheeler has been a designer at Black River Design for 21 years. She did all the construction documents on the project, and lives in an even smaller house that she recently designed and built for her family. She too has been interested in energy efficient design for a long time.
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Vermont's New 2019 ”Commercial Building Energy Standards” Energy Code
Business Support, Commercial- Keith Downes, Navigant
- Eveline Killian, Cx Associates
Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan states that all new construction must be built to net-zero standards by 2030, but how will we get there? Between now and then, four cycles of code updates will progressively step Vermont along to meet the 2030 goal. That first step is expected to be adopted in early 2019 as the next version of Vermont’s energy codes. This session will present the Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES) updates for this most recent code cycle and will provide an update on the new code, highlight the changes from the current code, walk through the changes with the biggest impacts, and provide the information needed to ensure code compliance for future building projects. The presenters will also provide an update and information on the “stretch code”.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Keith Downes
Keith Downes is an associate director for Navigant Consulting in the customers and markets practice area. Keith advises utilities across North America in both program design and program evaluation work, and also conducts best practice studies, baseline/potential studies, and energy code and TRM updates. Prior to working at Navigant, he was an energy advisor at Efficiency Vermont specializing in commercial new construction projects. Keith earned an M.S. in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University; he is also a certified energy manager.
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Eveline Killian
Eveline Killian is an architectural engineer with over 20 years’ experience in commercial and industrial project management and energy analysis. She has extensive experience in energy-efficient building design and operation, efficiency program design and implementation, and measurement and verification of energy efficiency measures. She has performed calibrated energy models on large commercial and institutional buildings for the NYSERDA new construction evaluation and conducted an educational webinar on the methods of calibrated modeling. She has managed the Vermont Forward Capacity Market and the NYSERDA new construction program evaluation engineering teams on the M&V and data analysis for over six years.
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Benefits of a Large-Scale Monitoring Based Commissioning Program in the State of Kentucky
Commercial, Commercial- Kevin Fuller, Interval Data Systems
- William Gnerre, Interval Data Systems
This presentation will cover the results of a four-year monitoring based commissioning and retrocommissioning program. The session will cover three aspects of the program: 1) collection of thousands of utility bills along with collection of more than 200,000 BAS trends from 170-plus buildings from six different control system manufacturers, 2) the results of analysis of more than 100 buildings identifying more than 700 energy conservation measures and remediation challenges, and 3) what Kentucky has learned from all the data and analysis and how it has changed the way the State works with the members of its facilities ecosystem, such as design engineers, control contractors, and commissioning agents. 4) Time permitting we’ll show the data available through the system for the facilities organization.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Kevin Fuller
Kevin Fuller, as executive vice president at Interval Data Systems (IDS), is responsible for product development, marketing, and program management for several of IDS’s largest customers. Before joining IDS, Kevin spent 20 years working with relational database and data analytics vendors in technical and marketing roles. He worked on Kentucky’s statewide program, Commonwealth Energy Management and Control System (CEMCS), which has helped Kentucky reduce energy bills by over $3.3 million annually; the state enacted legislation requiring high-performance building standards that affect construction, engineering, and commissioning. CEMCS won national awards from AEE, NASFA, NASCA, and ENERGY STAR. Kevin’s current work is focused on BAS automation software.
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William Gnerre
William Gnerre is CEO and co-founder of IDS. Since its founding in 2003, Bill has kept IDS focused on one vision: “to operate buildings in conformance with comfort and health/safety standards, at the lowest operating cost.” IDS developed one of the first enterprise energy management platforms (EnergyWitness), incorporated operational analysis services, and began offering BAS programming services based upon ASHRAE Guideline 36. Bill’s leadership activities have spanned sales and marketing, analytic services design, and project management. IDS was selected by DOE’s Smart Energy Analytics Campaign as 2017’s Outstanding Monitoring Based Commissioning provider. Bill has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University.
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How to Implement Demand Control Ventilation and Comply with ASHRAE Standards
Commercial, Commercial- Hoy R. Bohanon, Jr., P.E.,
ASHRAE standards 90.1 and 189P require demand control ventilation in some instances. ASHRAE standard 62.1 allows demand control ventilation but places restrictions on its application. Many existing installations do not comply with the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.1. What is required and what strategies and technologies can be used to meet the requirements of the all the standards?
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Hoy R. Bohanon, Jr., P.E.
Hoy Bohanon, PE, LEED AP, BEAP is principal in Hoy Bohanon Engineering, PLLC, a firm that focuses on improving the performance of existing mission critical buildings. Mr. Bohanon began his engineering career as a research and design engineer, and then gained experience as a project engineer, facilities engineer, facilities manager, indoor air quality research engineer, environmental engineer, and business owner. He has a master’s degree in engineering from North Carolina State University, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Mr. Bohanon has written technical papers and articles on indoor air quality, operations, and maintenance and is a frequent presenter at technical society meetings. He is a recipient of the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award and is chair of ASHRAE Standard 62.1 committee, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. He also serves on the bEQ committee. He is chair of the US Technical Advisory Group panel 1 (general principles) and panel 4 (indoor air quality) for ISO TC205 Building Environment Design. He is a co-author of The Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction and Commissioning and Performance Metric Protocols for Commercial Buildings: Best Practices Guide. He also teaches multiple courses for the ASHRAE Learning Institute addressing ASHRAE 62.1 and IAQ. Mr. Bohanon is also a member of the Professional Engineers of North Carolina, US Green Building Council, and I2SL.
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Stealth Passive House: Boring, Invisible, and Everywhere
Commercial, Commercial- Jesse Thompson, Kaplan Thompson Architects
Early stage Passive House projects often launch with integrated teams, lots of fanfare, and extensive arrays of expensive consultants. That’s all good for the pilot projects, but how do the rest of us take Passive House concepts to mainstream construction projects when we are not allowed all these special resources? This session will lay out the path followed by one architecture firm on several projects on which the Passive House standard was either frowned upon or actively off the table. What are the critical elements of Passive House that all building professionals need to ensure are maintained in every project, no matter the client goals or project situation?
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Jesse Thompson
Jesse Thompson is a partner at Kaplan Thompson Architects in Portland, Maine. He grew up in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. He received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon in 1996. He is a Maine licensed architect (NCARB), a president elect of Maine AIA, and a LEED accredited professional. Jesse is an award-winning architect who has become a national leader in green design and building science. He’s always working on balancing elements—engineering with art and design, beauty with affordability, function with potential. He’s relentlessly practical, but also sees beauty in every project, and he loves a good challenge.
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Large Building Enclosure Commissioning: What Works in Wall Assemblies
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Frederick McKnight, Turner Building Science and Design, LLC
Large buildings present their own challenges with the wall and roof assemblies. A variety of components can be used to complete a wall or roof assembly, and the components usually come with complications in terms of ridges, valleys, multiple levels of roof, bump-outs, curtain walls, oblique angles, and many other features that all need to work together as an enclosure. The science, however, remains the same, and the critical values of how the assembly controls water, vapor migration, thermal energy transfer, and the migration of air all have to be addressed if builders are to have a successful enclosure. This presentation will look at some interesting wall and roof assemblies in which the components were assembled to meet the manufacturer’s criteria without compromising the function of each component. The session will review a few real-life design challenges that were encountered during design review with respect to providing something that successfully incorporated all the requirements of a modern enclosure assembly.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Frederick McKnight
Frederick McKnight has served, since 1980, in various roles in the mechanical engineering field, specializing in energy-efficient design of HVAC systems. His commitment to energy efficiency and superior indoor air quality has led to a focus on building enclosure assemblies and migration of air and moisture through building enclosures. Fred has design, diagnostic, and commissioning experience with high-performance buildings, a variety of convention buildings, and specialized building enclosures. He is the commissioning agent for a number of large buildings on the campuses of UVM in Burlington, Vermont; Providence College in Rhode Island; and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He holds an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering and a B.S. in environmental science.
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Green River Commons, an Affordable Net-Zero Ready Development
Integrated Design, Residential- Roger Cooney, Wright Builders, Inc.
This session will highlight Green River Homes LLC and Wright Building Incorporated (WBI) recent work on lowering the cost for the purchase of a high performance condo/home. There will be an overview of our public private relationship which helped make the project possible. We’ll also cover the funding package(s) that made this mix of affordable and market rate units approachable for many. The presentation will include the benefits of designing and building an all-electric home with grid-tied photovoltaic panels and an overview of the building design and mechanical systems included in these buildings. We’ll also share what we learned from our mistakes. Q & A during the session is welcome.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Roger Cooney
Roger Cooney has a career committed to high performance sustainable design and construction. This work includes involvement in projects that meet or surpass the standards of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR, LEED for Homes, Deep Energy Retrofits, and the International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge. Wright Builders recently completed its Hinckley Trace Zero Net Ready development, Village Hill development which is built to both ENERGY STAR and LEED for Homes (Silver, Gold & Platinum certifications) standards, a Passive House–inspired home in southern Vermont and two Living Building Challenge projects. Roger, formerly owned Full Circle Design, is a Co-Founder of Creative Environments LLC and has been with Wright Builders for 14 years.
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Elm Place: Post-Occupancy—Solving the Data Puzzle
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Karen Bushey, VEIC
- Miranda Lescaze, Cathedral Square
- Craig Simmons, VEIC
Elm Place, an affordable senior living development in Milton, Vermont, was the first multifamily Passive House building in the state. Cathedral Square’s motivation to pursue Passive House was rooted in not only extremely low operation costs, but also the desire for a building that would be comfortable, resilient, durable, and healthy. But is Passive House delivering on its promises? The presenters will discuss key design decisions including the challenges of rightsizing heat pumps and selecting suitable mechanical systems for a low load building. A building management system (BMS) has been particularly valuable for analyzing energy use data—which have suggested significant differences between modeled and actual energy use. This session will cover the importance of post-occupancy monitoring to uncover mechanical issues that can significantly increase actual energy consumption and how monitoring has been critical to arriving at actionable data and interpretations. The team will also highlight cost-effective strategies for incorporating data monitoring in other multifamily projects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Karen Bushey
Karen Bushey, AIA, LEED AP, CPHC, joined Vermont Energy Investment Corporation as a residential energy consultant with the goal of helping homeowners, builders, and architects create comfortable, durable, low-energy homes that optimize building performance. As a licensed architect, certified Passive House consultant, and PHIUS+ rater, and with over 20 years of experience in the field of building design and construction, Karen has been key to the success of many residential and commercial projects in New England. Her work on the Elm Place Senior Housing project won three national awards from the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). Karen earned an architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and she is secretary of Vermont Passive House.
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Miranda Lescaze
Miranda Lescaze is a real estate developer for the affordable housing nonprofit Cathedral Square. Miranda is interested in community development, and has over 15 years’ experience working for community-based nonprofits. At Cathedral Square, she leads affordable housing development projects from inception through permitting, funding, design, and construction. Her previous experience includes serving as the director of the Center for Workforce Development and Diversity at Vermont EPSCoR, and as the technical coordinator for the Lake Champlain Basin Program, among other pursuits linking natural resources and community development. She has a master’s degree in natural resources from the University of Vermont and a bachelor’s degree from Carleton College.
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Craig Simmons
Craig Simmons, P.E., has more than 10 years’ experience in commercial building energy analysis, utility programs, and building codes compliance. In his role at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), Craig identifies, advocates for, and advises on energy efficiency improvements in new construction and existing industrial, commercial, and multifamily buildings. Craig is a project engineer for Commons Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of VEIC that provides ESCO services for smaller, public-purpose buildings and owners. Craig previously worked as a consultant in Boston, providing guidance to owners and designers in pursuit of LEED certification, utility incentive programs, federal tax credits, and energy code compliance.
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A Year of Massive Change in Digital Marketing: Understanding the New Online Advertising Landscape—Facebook, Local Services Ads, Google Ads, Purchased Leads, Reviews, and More
Business Support, Residential- Peter Troast, Energy Circle
Over the last 12 months, there have been massive changes in the digital advertising and lead generation landscape as it affects home performance, HVAC, and efficiency contracting businesses. Google AdWords (pay per click) is an increasingly cost-effective lead generation source, but are growing in complexity. Google’s new product - Local Service Ads - has been progressively rolling out across the country and will have a major impact on all searches related to HVAC and insulation. HomeAdvisor merged with Angie’s List. Facebook, under pressure from privacy concerns, has significantly changed their targeting options. If there is one truism, it’s that the digital marketing landscape is ever- changing. In this session, Peter Troast, Energy Circle's Founder and CEO, will cover everything attendees need to know about these recent changes, and how their company can take advantage of these new lead generation opportunities.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Troast
Peter Troast is recognized as one of the country’s foremost authorities on marketing for home performance, solar, HVAC, and other efficiency/renewable energy–related contracting companies. He and his team have helped more than 350 companies in 50 states grow their business through services such as website design and development, search engine optimization, lead generation, and strategic content production. He is a popular and high-ranking speaker about marketing for contractors at HPC/ACI, RESNET, ACCA, BPI, and EGIA conferences and events. He is the recipient of the Tony Woods Award for excellence in advancing the home performance industry and serves on the Board of the US Building Performance Association.
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Commissioning, Operating and Maintaining Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Systems
Commercial, Commercial- Hoy R. Bohanon, Jr., P.E.,
How does one commission energy savings equipment such as air-to-air energy recovery? What are key performance factors that must be measured? When can you simulate and when must you measure? Devices addressed include air-to-air energy recovery plates and wheels, desiccants, run around loops, and water-side economizers.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Hoy R. Bohanon, Jr., P.E.
Hoy Bohanon, PE, LEED AP, BEAP is principal in Hoy Bohanon Engineering, PLLC, a firm that focuses on improving the performance of existing mission critical buildings. Mr. Bohanon began his engineering career as a research and design engineer, and then gained experience as a project engineer, facilities engineer, facilities manager, indoor air quality research engineer, environmental engineer, and business owner. He has a master’s degree in engineering from North Carolina State University, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Mr. Bohanon has written technical papers and articles on indoor air quality, operations, and maintenance and is a frequent presenter at technical society meetings. He is a recipient of the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award and is chair of ASHRAE Standard 62.1 committee, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. He also serves on the bEQ committee. He is chair of the US Technical Advisory Group panel 1 (general principles) and panel 4 (indoor air quality) for ISO TC205 Building Environment Design. He is a co-author of The Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction and Commissioning and Performance Metric Protocols for Commercial Buildings: Best Practices Guide. He also teaches multiple courses for the ASHRAE Learning Institute addressing ASHRAE 62.1 and IAQ. Mr. Bohanon is also a member of the Professional Engineers of North Carolina, US Green Building Council, and I2SL.
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Tier 3 Statewide Total Energy Program: One of Vermont’s Most Effective Climate Protection Strategies
Commercial, Both Residential and Commercial- Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
- Brian Otley, Green Mountain Power
- Darren Springer, Burlington Electric Company
- Patty Richards, Washington Electric Co-Op
Tier 3 of Act 56 of 2015 (also known as Statewide Total Energy Program, STEP Beyond Fossil Fuels) is one of Vermont’s best-kept climate strategy secrets. This session will provide an overview of what it is, what it is doing for Vermont now, its projected impacts for the future, and how it can help Vermonters meet their climate and energy goals. The presenters will highlight some of the programs and projects the utilities are currently offering to make it real and provide some of the resulting data. Finally, they will present an analysis that examines the rate impacts of implementing Tier 3/STEP by electrifying the heating of buildings, transportation, and commercial facilities and weatherizing buildings that shows the potential for rate reductions while helping meet the State’s climate goals.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Richard Faesy
Richard Faesy is a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group in Hinesburg, Vermont. As a certified energy rater, LEED accredited professional, and DOE home energy score assessor, he specializes in residential buildings, technologies, and markets. He has expertise in residential new construction and retrofits, energy rating and labeling, building codes, financing, green building, the integration of renewables and energy efficiency, and effective energy efficiency policy, program design, and implementation. He works with clients throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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Brian Otley
Brian Otley joined Green Mountain Power in 2008 as the Chief Information Officer, leading the company’s advances into Smart Grid and Smart Metering. Shortly after Green Mountain Power acquired Central Vermont Public Service in 2013 he became Chief Operating Officer of the company. Prior to Green Mountain Power, Brian spent 20 years in the software sector leading product development, product management teams.
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Darren Springer
Darren Springer was appointed and confirmed as General Manager in October 2018. Formerly, Darren served as Burlington Electric’s Chief Operating Officer and led the Center for Innovation team which includes the Policy & Planning, Finance, Information Technology and Energy Services divisions. Prior to joining BED, Darren served as Chief of Staff for the Office of Governor Peter Shumlin. Before working in the Governor’s Office, Darren was appointed as Deputy Commissioner at the Vermont Public Service Department, leading the advancement of the 2014 net metering law and 2015 renewable energy standard. Previously, Darren worked for 4 years in the Washington, D.C. Office of U.S. Senator Bernard Sanders as Senior Policy Advisor for Energy & Environment, and later as Chief Counsel. He has also worked for the National Governors Association as Program Director for Energy and Transportation. Darren has a B.A. from Florida Atlantic University and earned a J.D. and Master of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School. While at Vermont Law School, he was selected as Managing Editor of the Vermont Law Review, and clerked for U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is a member of the Vermont Bar, Virginia Bar, and Florida Bar. Darren has also served as a Policy Fellow on Climate Change and Renewable Energy at the University of Vermont Center for Research on Vermont, and in that capacity published a law journal article on the future of utility regulation in the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review.
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Patty Richards
Patricia (Patty) Richards has served as General Manager of Washington Electric Cooperative since 2013. Prior to joining WEC, she spent three years as a Senior Consultant with La Capra Associates, a Boston based energy consulting firm. In this role she performed a wide array of power supply related work on both the regional and national level. Before that she was the Director of Power Supply and Transmission for the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, where she managed power supply for a number of small municipal utilities as well as WEC’s interactions with the New England regional power grid. She started her utility career at Burlington Electric Department in Vermont, where she worked for 17 years in various roles including administrative and energy efficiency related positions before becoming Director of Resource Planning. She has a masters in business from Saint Michaels College.
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Beyond CFM50: Blower Door Diagnostics
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- David Keefe, Efficiency Vermont
This session for blower door practitioners will focus on using diagnostic techniques to find air leaks and to verify air-sealing effectiveness. It will start with issues of accuracy, including temperature correction, dealing with wind, and maintenance. The use of chemical smoke and infrared scanning will be covered. There will be an introduction to zone pressures and how they can be used to assess both pre and post conditions. Connections to garages and attics will be emphasized. The presenter will discuss how to evaluate airflow through rooms and other spaces without going into them. Attendees should be knowledgeable about blower door testing and ready to become more skilled at understanding airflows in buildings.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
David Keefe
David Keefe is a fifth-generation Vermonter and a hippie environmentalist. He has worked for the last 34 years as a contractor, consultant, and teacher, focusing mostly on making existing homes work better. He has received awards from the State of Vermont and the U.S. DOE for energy innovation, and in 2011 Dave was named one of the 25 most influential people in the home performance industry by Affordable Comfort . In 2017, Dave received the Linda Wigington Leadership Award from the Home Performance Coalition. He is currently part of the Home Performance team at Efficiency Vermont.
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Advanced Wood Heat in Highly Efficient Buildings
Integrated Design, Both Residential and Commercial- Emma Hanson, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
- Juliette Juillerat, VEIC
- Adam Sherman, VEIC
Wood heating has been a cornerstone of heating buildings in Vermont for a very long time. In the past decade there have been significant advancements in wood heating technology – systems are now more efficient, cleaner, and highly automated. At the same time, building construction has improved dramatically - making envelops tighter and considerably reducing demands for space heating and high output HVAC equipment. This session will explore the intersection of advanced wood heating and highly efficient buildings and highlight the continued importance of wood fuels to Vermont's renewable energy, GHG, economic development, and “working landscape” goals. Presenters will cover how to utilize this technology in today's highly efficient buildings, with presenters focusing on both residential and commercial applications. We will discuss strategies typically used to achieve a high level of efficiency and tight building envelope, and the benefits and risks of tight buildings. We will provide an overview of the pros and cons of the different heating systems suitable to low load buildings, and what cost range to expect for different HVAC options for a New England climate. We will discuss when modern wood heat is appropriate in a tight building, the options currently available in the market, and discuss when heat pumps are a better choice.
Presentation(s):
- Advanced Wood Heat in Highly Efficient Buildings (handout)
- Advanced Wood Heat in Highly Efficient Buildings (Hanson)
- Advanced Wood Heat in Highly Efficient Buildings (Juillerat)
- Advanced Wood Heat in Highly Efficient Buildings (Sherman)
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Emma Hanson
Emma brings a diverse background in sales, communications and environmental policy to the world of wood energy. After staffing the Forestry Committee of the Working Lands Enterprise Board at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture for two years, she took on the new position of Wood Energy Coordinator at the VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. She holds a M.S. in Agriculture, Food & Environmental Policy from Tufts University in Boston.
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Juliette Juillerat
Juliette has over 5 years of experience providing modern wood heating consultancy. She has conducted numerous energy efficiency and renewable energy program reviews to assess program impacts and provides guidance on optimal rebate levels to balance market uptake with cost effectiveness. She has conducted dozens of site visits and prefeasibility assessments for converting public and commercial buildings to wood chip and pellet heating systems. Juliette has completed wood heating trainings in the US and Austria, including the intensive Hydronic-Based Biomass Heating Systems course, and the International Training Seminar Biomass Heating Market Development and Technologies - hosted by the Upper Austrian Energiesparverband. She is working towards her Passive House US (PHIUS) Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) certification and holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from McGill University, and a Master of Science from the University of Vermont.
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Adam Sherman
Adam Sherman is a Manager of the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) housed at VEIC. Adam has more than 20 years of experience in the advanced wood heat sector, and has directed BERC’s technology and fuel supply activities for over twelve years. His work covers a wide range of topics – from policy and regulatory issues to energy program design and delivery, technical consulting services to assess technologies, fuels, and energy project feasibility. Adam consults frequently for public and private clients exploring the feasibility of district heating systems in communities across North America. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Alliance for Green Heat, as the Chairman of the Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group (NEBTWG) and also serves on the Editorial Board of Biomass Magazine. Prior to working for the Biomass Energy Resource Center, Sherman was the General Manager of a commercial composting operation in Burlington, Vermont for ten years. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont. Adam lives in Richmond, Vermont in a home heated with wood pellets and his kids attend the local high school that is heated with woodchips.
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Lessons Learned with Biomass Heating Systems (extended session: 9:00AM - 12:30PM)
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- John Siegenthaler, Appropriate Designs
Biomass boiler systems (fueled by wood pellets and cordwood) represent a growing sector of the renewable thermal heat source market. The Northeast has become the epicenter for biomass boiler system installations within the United States. These boilers have operating requirements that are distinctly different from those for boilers operating on conventional fuels, most notably the need to operate with long on cycles followed by long off cycles. This session will describe critical design and installation requirements that have been learned after several years of experience with NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority)-supported installations. It will address details on sizing, venting, thermal storage, controls, and hydronic distribution systems. It will also cover how contractors currently involved with heating system installation can expand their market to include biomass boiler systems.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
John Siegenthaler
John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a licensed professional engineer, and professor emeritus of engineering technology at Mohawk Valley Community College. "Siggy" has 40 years of experience in designing modern hydronic systems. He is a member of the Radiant Panel Association Hall of Fame and principal of Appropriate Designs, a consulting engineering firm in Holland Patent, New York. He is the author of two textbooks: Modern Hydronic Heating (Delmar Cengage Learning; 3rd ed., 2011), and Heating with Renewable Energy (Delmar Cengage Learning, 2016). John currently writes about hydronics technology for several trade publications.
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Making Building Systems Sing in Harmony: Retrocommissioning in Vermont
Building Systems, Commercial- Daniel Tuhus-Dubrow, Cx Associates
Retrocommissioning (RCx) often results in significant energy savings while delivering additional benefits such as improved occupant comfort, better indoor air quality, and reduced operations and maintenance costs. RCx measures are typically low-cost and do not require large capital expenditures for implementation. The biggest challenges to increasing customer adoption of this relatively low-cost energy efficiency tool are the reluctance of customers to invest in engineering studies and a lack of customer familiarity with the opportunities. Vermont's Energy Efficiency Utilities recently established retrocommissioning programs to reduce the barriers by financially supporting the qualification stage for RCx studies, resulting in significant market uptake. This presentation will discuss common measures identified, identify best practices, and quantify the potential benefits for a cohort of projects that have gone through the retrocommissioning qualification stage. We will address key lessons learned and how to overcome obstacles to measure implementation, highlighting a few projects that have proceeded through the implementation phase.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Daniel Tuhus-Dubrow
Daniel Tuhus-Dubrow is a mechanical engineer focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs in buildings. He has performed energy auditing and retrocommissioning activities for over 20 projects, including several for Local Law 87 (New York City) and Executive Order 88 (New York State) compliance, and has extensive experience with retrocommissioning programs in Vermont. He has experience with LEED certification, energy modeling, energy efficiency design, and measurement and verification.
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Smart Home or Smart Homeowner?
Building Systems, Residential- Peter Hooper, State of Vermont
- Mary Jane Poynter, VEIC
What does it mean to have a connected home? Are we really smarter than ever because of the technology we surround ourselves with? We'll explain why being a smart homeowner can be more effective than a owning a home filled with smart devices. This session will provide examples of how connecting with your residential properties can save energy, increase equipment life, and help avoid emergencies. The market is flooded with meters, software, and gadgets that make a dwelling space connected. We will highlight several technologies and take an in depth look at their primary functions, how they interconnect, and how the owner interacts with them. Also included will be an introduction to the Parsons Platform, a cloud-based energy database being used by Housing Vermont to monitor its large portfolio of buildings and identify underperforming buildings.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Hooper
Peter Hooper is an electrical engineer and project manager with the State of Vermont's Energy Office. He works primarily in project development and oversight work, including the planning, completion, and verification of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy projects. Prior to working at the State of Vermont, Peter was employed by Northern Power Systems, where he worked on the development and installation of utility-scale wind turbines. He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from Norwich University.
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Mary Jane Poynter
Mary Jane Poynter is a senior energy consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. She specializes in commercial, governmental, industrial, and multifamily building energy projects, working primarily with Efficiency Vermont and DC Sustainability Energy Utilities. A 20-year veteran of the energy efficiency industry, she has worked on projects across the spectrum of new construction and renovation, and in the affordable housing market. Mary Jane is a certified energy manager, a certified master gardener, and a 17-year member of her local ASHRAE chapter. She holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota.
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Starving for Darkness: How Exterior Lighting Affects Our Wildlife
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Jane Slade, Anatomy of Light
Since the Industrial Revolution and the invention of the electric light bulb, the natural ecosystems of the Earth spend more and more time bathed in artificial light within a 24-hour cycle. How do artificial light and the lack of darkness impact wildlife? How does the obstruction of the night's sky affect bird migration and whale migration? This talk will review scientific studies showing the impacts of light upon wildlife. From zooplankton, to insects, to bats, all species are either directly or indirectly affected by light and light pollution. The talk will conclude with a discussion on how a rethinking of design and codes can alleviate some of these harmful effects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Jane Slade
Jane Slade, MID, LC, IES is a lighting designer and researcher at Anatomy of Light, researching the many ways in which light impacts our environment, human health, wildlife, biodiversity, and interdependence. Slade is a recent Richard Kelly Grant recipient for her explorations into the social and emotional impacts of light and lighting, through her work in creating lighting fixtures from waste materials in India, and through art installations focused on manipulating emotional experiences with light and color. Slade is the Vice President of the DLF of New England, chairing the scholarship which sends university students to both Light + Building in Germany, as well as Lightfair in North America. Slade is also a member of the IES Committee for Outdoor Environmental Lighting, and the IES Annual Conference Steering Committee. Slade practices art in her studio, Waterlight, and also teaches yoga in her home city, Cambridge, MA.
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High Performance, Affordability, and Efficiency in High-Ventilation Buildings: The UVM STEM Complex
Commercial, Commercial- Allan Ames, BR+A Consulting Engineers
- Alex Halpern, Freeman French Freeman
- Bryan Rydingsward, BR+A Consulting Engineers
- Lynn Wood, University of Vermont
The University of Vermont STEM building is a multipurpose laboratory and classroom building that has demanding requirements for makeup air and code-required ventilation. Laboratories include fume hoods that require a substantial amount of energy and expense to operate year-round. To achieve performance requirements and remain affordable within the given program, mechanical systems were designed with specially engineered energy recovery systems that also maintain separated exhaust and supply air. This session will describe the keystone system manufactured by Konvekta, an enhanced glycol heat recovery system with specially designed coil circuiting and tubes. For the winter of 2017-2018, building automation trend logs, as well as remote monitoring by Konvekta, indicated that the system performed better than anticipated. This modeling illustrated that the initial cost of $500,000 for this specialty heat recovery system would return nearly $100,000 in annual energy cost savings. The discussion will focus on the design and application of this technology for laboratory buildings and space with high ventilation loads that require substantial quantities of outside air.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Allan Ames
Allan Ames, president of BR+A, is a registered professional mechanical engineer in 18 states and a LEED accredited professional. With over 35 years of experience, he is a frequent presenter at industry symposia including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Tradelines, and the New England Chapter of I2SL (formerly Labs21). Allan is heavily involved in engineering design for a broad range of project types for academic, research, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and corporate clients nationwide. In addition, he is a building systems committee member for the Healthcare Associated Infections Foundation and ASHE.
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Alex Halpern
Alex Halpern, AIA, is vice president of Freeman French Freeman, Architects, in Burlington, where he has led projects both large and small for over two decades. Projects include the new STEM Complex and James Jeffords Hall at the University of Vermont, the Dion Family Student Center at Saint Michael's College, the forthcoming new facility for the Greater Burlington YMCA, and the Burlington International Airport.
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Bryan Rydingsward
Bryan Rydingsward, P.E., LEED AP, is a mechanical engineer and senior project manager with nearly 20 years' experience in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system design, primarily for laboratory and hospital environments, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation. Brian has been involved with many high-profile, state-of-the-art projects, including buildings at the University of Vermont, MIT, Brown University, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School.
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Lynn Wood
Lynn Wood is the Davis Zone Manager at the University of Vermont. She leads a team of Physical Plant personnel that provide maintenance and operations support, for 27 buildings that cover 1.2 million square feet, the STEM Facility is one of these buildings. During the Stem Laboratory construction and commissioning, Lynn was the Retro-commissioning Engineer for the University. She worked extensively in the design phase providing electrical, mechanical and controls review, sequences, and specification enhancements that were consistent with other laboratory and hvac standards across campus. She has over 20 years of experience in controls and mechanical systems, with a focus on laboratory systems.
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Rethinking the Rules on Minimum Foam Thickness
Envelope, Residential- Martin Holladay, Green Building Advisor
When installing a continuous layer of rigid foam on the exterior side of wall sheathing, it's best if the foam is thick enough to keep the sheathing above the dew point during the winter. But some builders who use thinner rigid foam than the rules call for claim that their walls stay dry, due in part to the margin of safety provided by an interior vapor retarder or vapor barrier. Because balancing the benefits and risks of walls with exterior foam and interior vapor retarders is complicated, builders are looking for guidance. This session will provide that guidance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Martin Holladay
Martin Holladay is the editor of Green Building Advisor and a senior editor at Fine Homebuilding. His weekly blog, "Musings of an Energy Nerd," focuses on energy-efficient residential construction. He built his first passive solar house in northern Vermont in 1974, and has lived off the grid since 1975. Before working as an editor, Holladay was a roofer, remodeler, and builder. He has also worked as a project manager for a nonprofit developer of low-income housing.
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Carbon-Based Life Forms Creating Carbon-Free Buildings
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Eric Corey Freed, Morrison Hershfield
In the last decade, carbon levels increased by 20 parts per million (from 380 to 403), the population grew by 1 billion, global temperature increased by half a degree Celsius, and 25 percent more people moved into cities. The world is changing rapidly. This session will explore dozens of disparate trends in technology, sustainability, and the construction industry and connect the dots to get a glimpse into how we can save the world and save our businesses at the same time. Participants will forecast opportunities in the green building space. Climate change is redefining building design parameters. Future solutions will need to measure and manage energy, water, and health outcomes in innovative ways. During this energetic and entertaining session, attendees will collaborate to better address systemic barriers to healthy, high-performing, sustainable, resilient buildings. The session will discuss the challenges and complexities facing project teams pursuing net-zero or zero-carbon projects and how to identify new risks. This lively discussion will change how participants look at the future, regardless of how bleak it may seem!
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Eric Corey Freed
Eric Corey Freed is an award-winning architect, author, and global speaker. As sustainability disruptor for Morrison Hershfield, he identifies solutions to problems most teams didn't know were holding them back. He was founding principal of organicARCHITECT, a visionary design leader in biophilic and regenerative design. Eric is the author of 11 books, including Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies (For Dummies, 2007). In 2012, his business was named one of the 25 "Best Green Architecture Firms" in the U.S., and he was named one of 10 influential green architects . He holds a prestigious LEED Fellow award from the U.S. Green Building Council.
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Affordable and Profitable: An Oxymoron? We Don't Think So!
Business Support, Both Residential and Commercial- Mel Baiser, HELM Construction Solutions LLC
- Kate Stephenson, HELM Construction Solutions LLC
This session will address the question of how to make healthy, energy-efficient buildings more affordable, but not at the expense of the builder's business sustainability. How can builders deliver an affordable high-performance project without losing their shirt on it? The first step is understanding what it costs to run the business. This session will walk builders through the process of developing an operating budget for their company. Participants will learn how to calculate labor burden and gross profit margin, how to understand the difference between a margin and a markup, and how to use that information to develop a project estimate that covers the cost of running the business and making a profit. The presenters will talk about strategies for managing client expectations with regard to budget and the art of value engineering using an integrated team approach.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Mel Baiser
Mel Baiser is a partner in HELM Construction Solutions, which works with owners, designers, and builders to create high-performance and sustainable buildings and businesses. Mel has over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, both in the field as a carpenter and weatherization installer and in the office as a project manager and estimator. Mel has completed certifications with the Building Performance Institute and the Passive House Institute US. With a background in social justice and community organizing, Mel is passionate about weaving together efforts for climate justice, building high-performance homes, and improving the process of doing construction while maintaining triple-bottom-line business principles for the professionals involved.
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Kate Stephenson
Kate Stephenson is a partner in HELM Construction Solutions, which works with owners, designers, and builders to create high-performance and sustainable buildings and businesses. She's worked with businesses and nonprofits to achieve triple-bottom-line metrics, develop business systems, and plan for a dynamic and resilient future. She led the Yestermorrow Design/Build School for over 13 years. Kate is a facilitator for NESEA's BuildingEnergy Bottom Lines program, chairs the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee, and serves on the board of the Vermont Council on Rural Development. She holds an M.S. in management from Antioch University New England.
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Vermont's New 2019 Residential Building Energy Standards Energy Codes
Business Support, Residential- Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
- David Keefe, Efficiency Vermont
Vermont's Comprehensive Energy Plan states that all new construction must be built to net-zero standards by 2030, but how will we get there? Between now and then, four cycles of code updates will progressively step Vermont along to meet the 2030 goal. That first step is expected to be adopted in early 2019 as the next version of Vermont's energy codes. This session will present the Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES) updates for this most recent code cycle and will provide an update on the new code, highlight the changes from the current code, walk through the changes with the biggest impacts, and provide the information needed to ensure code compliance for future building projects. The presenters will also provide an update and information on the "stretch code".
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Richard Faesy
Richard Faesy is a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group in Hinesburg, Vermont. As a certified energy rater, LEED accredited professional, and DOE home energy score assessor, he specializes in residential buildings, technologies, and markets. He has expertise in residential new construction and retrofits, energy rating and labeling, building codes, financing, green building, the integration of renewables and energy efficiency, and effective energy efficiency policy, program design, and implementation. He works with clients throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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David Keefe
David Keefe is a fifth-generation Vermonter and a hippie environmentalist. He has worked for the last 34 years as a contractor, consultant, and teacher, focusing mostly on making existing homes work better. He has received awards from the State of Vermont and the U.S. DOE for energy innovation, and in 2011 Dave was named one of the 25 most influential people in the home performance industry by Affordable Comfort . In 2017, Dave received the Linda Wigington Leadership Award from the Home Performance Coalition. He is currently part of the Home Performance team at Efficiency Vermont.
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The Value of Flexible Demand and Storage: Aligning Building and Grid Efficiencies
Commercial, Commercial- Morgan Casella, Dynamic Organics
- Marcus Jones, VEIC
- Jeff Monder, Green Mountain Power
- John Sohl, Brattleboro Retreat
The Brattleboro Retreat hospital in Brattleboro, Vermont, requires significant air conditioning during the summer, with peak demands of 110-120 kW. Previously under CVPS's time-of-use rates, the Retreat utilized an ice-storage system to load shift hospital cooling demands to off-peak times. Since 2014, the ice storage asset had been underutilized and improperly controlled. During 2017 and 2018, Efficiency Vermont worked with the Retreat and Dynamic Organics (DO) to recommission the existing system and upgrade the campus building management system. This session will describe how DO and Green Mountain Power are developing an innovative pilot in collaboration with Efficiency Vermont to investigate the value of the ice storage in providing capacity, energy, and greenhouse gas savings for the customer and the grid. The group is testing different charging and discharging strategies at the Retreat following different forecast and real-time signals. The team is leveraging behind-the-meter controls to effectively use buildings as batteries, while aligning both building and grid efficiency.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Morgan Casella
Morgan Casella is managing partner of Dynamic Organics (DO), where he has worked for over 10 years in sustainable energy and HVAC efficiency project development, design, construction, and operations and maintenance. Morgan has experience with solar development, anaerobic digestion, landfill gas-to-energy generation, and building energy systems including HVAC design, optimization, installation, and retrofits. Through DO, Morgan has provided development and consulting work for companies interested in alternative energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and alternative waste reduction strategies. Morgan has an extensive background in the development and design of renewable energy and efficiency projects, with a focus on distribution, transmission, and efficiency utility regulatory requirements. He holds a B.S. from Skidmore College.
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Marcus Jones
Marcus Jones is an energy consultant with VEIC. Marcus brings an extensive background in electrical and efficiency engineering to the organization. He has worked with VEIC for the last five years helping to transform the Vermont electric grid.
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Jeff Monder
Jeff Monder has over 26 years of experience in the utility industry, mostly dedicated to information technologies and project and organizational leadership. For the past three years, Jeff has been on a journey through the core mission of the utility business as a leader in innovation development, devising and introducing new programs to help residential, commercial, and industrial customers increase efficiency and productivity, reduce their carbon footprint, and save money. Jeff is passionate about the environment, and is deeply engaged in the evolution of the utility model to meet new opportunities and challenges, while satisfying the highest standards for reliability, cost-effectiveness, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
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John Sohl
John Sohl has been the director of facilities at the Brattleboro Retreat Hospital since June 2015. Previously he worked at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City as director of engineering and spent 17 years at Franklin Hospital in Valley Stream, New York, starting as a carpenter and finishing as the director of support services. In his current position, John also serves as the senior director of environmental operations for the Brattleboro Retreat.
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Your Next Breakthrough-Efficient Emerging Technologies for Your Home and Business
Integrated Design, Both Residential and Commercial- Lara Bonn, Efficiency Vermont
- Laura Capps, Efficiency Vermont
- Rachael Mascolino, Efficiency Vermont
- Lauren Morlino, Efficiency Vermont
What's new and exciting in the world of energy efficiency? What more can you do for your home or business? This session will feature the Efficiency Vermont Emerging Technologies and Services team, who will engage the audience by presenting accessible, healthy, efficient options for homes and businesses during a confusing and rapidly advancing technological era. The team has been working to fill Efficiency Vermont's portfolio with new technologies and services in order to continue to offer Vermonters valuable technical assistance and low energy costs. The group will highlight projects including Efficiency Vermont's Healthy Homes initiative, indoor agriculture, natural refrigerants, connected homes/Internet of Things, vegetable oil-powered elevators, lab ventilation, comprehensive building control systems, and more.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Lara Bonn
Lara Bonn is the director of Efficiency Vermont's Emerging Technologies and Services Department, which facilitates new and disruptive opportunities for energy efficiency in Vermont. In the past, she was a staff manager in the Strategy and Planning Department as well as the strategic planning manager for efficient products, creating the strategic vision, designing new program approaches, and running research and development pilots for the lighting, appliances, and consumer electronics programs. Lara promotes multi-utility and cross-country partnerships to accomplish greater impact. Prior to working for Efficiency Vermont, Lara worked as a consultant with Optimal Energy and as a senior consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton working exclusively for the U.S. EPA.
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Laura Capps
Laura Capps has provided classroom and field training for over 2,600 professionals nationally on healthy homes and green building. At Efficiency Vermont, Laura facilitates the identification, research, development, and qualification of new disruptive technologies and services for the state's future energy portfolio. Her current work includes partnering with hospitals and healthcare providers on improving population health through energy efficiency and healthy home interventions in the homes of patients with uncontrolled asthma and COPD. Laura holds degrees in sustainable development and building construction from Appalachian State University and Georgia Tech, respectively, and multiple industry certifications and awards.
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Rachael Mascolino
Rachael Mascolino is a Senior Energy Consultant in VEIC�s engineering department. Her work includes a focus on advanced wood heating as an emerging HVAC technology through design review, evaluating project feasibility, developing repeatable best practices, outreach, and informing EVT programs. Supporting the sustainable and renewable modern combustion of fuel grade forest stock and the engineering of the comprehensive systems that the equipment is connected to is a personal and professional interest. Other recent areas of focus include VRF applications in the northeast and institutional energy savings through continuous engagement evaluating predicted and actual energy use.
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Lauren Morlino
Lauren Morlino researches, tests, and plans programs, services, and their strategies for the statewide energy efficiency utility Efficiency Vermont. Her work has accelerated statewide market transformation in lighting and other technologies, while meeting the evolving needs of Vermont ratepayers for cost-effective solutions. A VEIC program manager for four years, Lauren has researched and designed initiatives for lighting, controls, and consumer electronics. In her current role as Emerging Technologies and Services Manager, Lauren is prototyping exciting, innovative, and efficient technologies and services for Vermont residents and businesses. She has also disseminated the results of her work at national conferences including ACEEE, DesignLights Consortium, and E Source. Lauren holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont.
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Hands-On Air Sealing and Basement Insulation Skills
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- David Keefe, Efficiency Vermont
This session is intended for those who do air sealing and insulation with their own hands, those who would like to, and those who specify and inspect that work. We will start with an overview of our goals and approach, then move to a review of air sealing materials used for residential and stick-framed commercial buildings. Three-dimensional props will be used for a live demonstration of common air sealing measures, focusing primarily on attics. There will also be a discussion of basement insulation and a review of options for basement walls. The focus will be primarily on existing homes, although most of the information is also applicable to new construction.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
David Keefe
David Keefe is a fifth-generation Vermonter and a hippie environmentalist. He has worked for the last 34 years as a contractor, consultant, and teacher, focusing mostly on making existing homes work better. He has received awards from the State of Vermont and the U.S. DOE for energy innovation, and in 2011 Dave was named one of the 25 most influential people in the home performance industry by Affordable Comfort. In 2017, Dave received the Linda Wigington Leadership Award from the Home Performance Coalition. He is currently part of the Home Performance team at Efficiency Vermont.
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The Mechanical Aspects of "Practical Green" Commercial Buildings
Commercial, Commercial- Roy Swain, Kohler and Lewis
We will discuss a comprehensive list of the best "practical green" plumbing and HVAC design elements from more than four decades of engineering experience. We will begin by identifying the multiple and often conflicting objectives of mechanical systems in buildings, and then explore the specific practical green elements to achieve each objective. We will also feature interesting cases of "how not to do it" - too expensive, too complicated, or most often both. Examples and photos will be from actual projects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Roy Swain
Roy Swain is the owner of Kohler and Lewis Mechanical Engineers in Keene, New Hampshire, He specializes in helping commercial building owners understand and optimize their mechanical systems. He designs practical and efficient HVAC, plumbing and control systems, including those for numerous LEED buildings, net zero projects, and Living Building Challenge buildings. Previously, Roy managed the development of the McQuay MicroTech line of DDC controllers and was a senior project engineer at the Carrier Corporation.
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Utilizing Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) to Achieve Affordable Efficiency for Residential and Commercial Multi Story Builds
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Paul Camozzi, Amvic
Presentation will begin with a brief history of the ICF industry, and then move to an in depth description of what an Insulated Concrete Form is including performance and technical information. Focus will then address on whats happening on a national level in regards to energy efficiencies and how ICF directly mitigate these changes in one simple application. Actual residential and commercial builds will be examined and explained with quotes from consumers and design professionals many of who do not go back to conventional builds. Affordable efficiency is easily applicable to ICFs on two fronts - first significant energy reductions and downsizing of complimentary systems, 2nd efficiencies gained in actual field performance due to a 9-1 construction methodology.Wrap up will include project profiles and statements from the likes of Avalon Bay and Developer /owners who have had wonderful experiences with our technology.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Paul Camozzi
Paul Camozzi, CET, educates architects, engineers, builders, and consumers on the benefits of building with insulated concrete forms (ICFs). His career started in structural steel, a key component in ICF construction methodologies. He has been the past chairman of the Insulating Concrete Form Association and is active with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, which is embracing ICF promotional programs across the United States. Paul holds a diploma in mechanical engineering. He has personally built two ICF homes and can speak on this technology from conceptual design incorporating net-zero goals to a renewed focus on resilient, sustainable construction.
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Building for "Forever": High-Performance Design for Everyone
Integrated Design, Residential- Brian Just, VEIC
Much of what defines quality in home materials-durability, livability, simplicity, beauty, and resilience-has been around for centuries. A lot of historical design aligns perfectly with today's concepts of affordability, especially when combined with modern materials and building techniques. This presentation explores enduring design guidelines from a non-architect perspective. After a crash course on influences including Victorian artist John Ruskin, "old" Audels Builders Guides, pattern language, and classic New England building forms, this session will dive into design features that have survived and those that have not. Participants will learn how modern-day principles of LEED and Passive House can be incorporated cost-effectively and attractively. The session will give striking examples of how high performance can be done simply and how design decisions can promote occupant comfort and health while making future additions or upgrades less complicated. These principles will be supported by solid data, including real-world photos and infrared images from Vermont's countryside. This session is all about the intersection of affordability and quality. It is designed for builders, architects, plumbers, engineers, real estate professionals, and homeowners.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Brian Just
Brian Just manages a team of energy consultants implementing Efficiency Vermont's residential programs and works on a variety of energy efficiency initiatives at VEIC. A mechanical engineer, he began his career designing and installing custom testing equipment used in aerodynamics research. His master's degree work focused on biomass combustion and indoor air quality. He is RESNET, Passive House, and LEED AP accredited, and is a Living Building Challenge ambassador presenter. Brian is committed to serving the residential design and construction community as its members pave the way to a future of highly efficient, affordable, healthy, durable homes.
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Evaluating What Matters Most: Revisiting Design to Meet Budgets and Keep the Dream Alive
Integrated Design, Residential- Colin Lindberg, Shelterwood Construction
- Parlin Meyer, BrightBuilt Home
- Jesse Thompson, Kaplan Thompson Architects
Making decisions when building one's dream home has never been easy. Making those decisions in today's landscape of lumber tariffs, no incentives, and busy contractors is nearly impossible. In this session, the presenters will look at the journey undertaken by a couple who set out to build their dream home together, and ventured well into design only to realize their dreaming had begun to outstrip their needs (and their budget). They took a look at what they really wanted, and requested a redirect with their architects. In concert with the builder, the clients and the architects worked together to arrive at a Plan B-one that captured the essence of the clients' wants and needs, and more aggressively pursued their budgetary considerations. This session will look at each of the designs proposed, and speak to the thinking behind forms, volumes, and area, as well as the associated costs of each.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Colin Lindberg
Colin Lindberg, certified Passive House builder, is the owner of Shelterwood Construction, a residential construction firm specializing in high-performance, energy-efficient building. His career has focused on building high-quality, long-lasting homes. Colin has a B.A. from Warren Wilson College (near Asheville, North Carolina) in outdoor leadership. His first career involved leading outdoor education trips all over North and South America. When it was time to get a real job, he turned to high-end carpentry and building. Shelterwood Construction is based in central Vermont. When Colin is not working or chasing his son around, you can find him on his mountain bike, surfboard, or snowboard, or climbing up a mountain.
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Parlin Meyer
Parlin Meyer is director at BrightBuilt Home, a design firm in Portland, Maine, that uses off-site construction manufacturers to build modified and custom versions of its high-performance home designs. After 10 years at sea as a licensed captain and deck officer, Parlin changed tack to begin a second career in the built environment by earning a master of architecture degree and a master of real estate development degree from the University of Maryland in 2012. She still enjoys sailing whenever possible.
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Jesse Thompson
Jesse Thompson is a partner at Kaplan Thompson Architects in Portland, Maine. He grew up in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. He received his bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Oregon in 1996. He is a Maine licensed architect (NCARB), a president elect of Maine AIA, and a LEED accredited professional. Jesse is an award-winning architect who has become a national leader in green design and building science. He's always working on balancing elements-engineering with art and design, beauty with affordability, function with potential. He's relentlessly practical, but also sees beauty in every project, and he loves a good challenge.
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Testimonials from an Affordable Housing Developer and Her Consultants
Integrated Design, Both Residential and Commercial- Julie Klump, Preservation of Affordable Housing
- Ken Neuhauser, Building Evolution Corporation
- Wesley Stanhope, Building Evolution Corporation
This team of affordable housing developer and building performance consultants (with expertise in HVAC and enclosures) have been through many battles together, including high-performance new construction projects, moderate scope rehab, deep energy retrofits, retrocommissioning projects, and lots of why-isn't-this-&*#!-system-working investigations. The presenters will regale workshop participants with such tales as 1) the elusive breath of fresh air-getting good indoor air quality in renovations of existing multifamily buildings; 2) integrated construction-why integrated design is not enough and why it's important to have designers engaged throughout construction; 3) retroCx (because it wasn't running right the first time); 4) the high cost of not super-insulating; and 5) "What's the payback?" and other unhelpful questions. The focus will be on larger multifamily buildings and will cover several states and multiple climates. The presenters will share lessons learned and also probe the workshop participants for solutions to perennial challenges in affordable housing building performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Julie Klump
Julie Klump, as vice president for design and building performance at Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), is responsible for design and energy efficiency for development projects as well as POAH's owned portfolio. She provides building investigation, energy budgeting, scope development, and cost estimates. Julie authors POAH's product and performance specifications, manages data collection and analysis, and serves as a subject matter expert. A certified Passive House consultant and LEED-certified architect with an undergraduate degree in environmental design, Julie has worked as an architect, construction manager, owner's project manager, and executive director of the Texas Historical Foundation. She received her master of architecture degree with a certification in historic preservation. Julie is a year-round bicycle commuter.
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Ken Neuhauser
Ken Neuhauser has nearly 20 years of building science and building performance experience. Ken believes that building performance includes many aspects, among them economic performance, environmental impact, risk management, operation, and maintenance. He is adept at diagnosing building performance problems through on-site investigation and remote data analysis. Ken is a certified energy manager, a certified Passive House consultant, and a lifetime Northeast Sustainable Energy Association member. He earned both a master of architecture and master of science degree in architecture from the University of Michigan.
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Wesley Stanhope
Wesley Stanhope has over 15 years of leadership experience in the built environment on both sides of the Atlantic, working with construction, facility conditions assessments, energy management, and commissioning projects. As principal of Stanhope Developments, he brought over 370 commercial and residential construction projects from proposal through to design and completion in Ireland and the U.K. After returning to the U.S., Wes managed the energy auditing and retrocommissioning of more than 23 million square feet of federal facilities. Wes has extensive experience with assessment and commissioning of large-scale private universities, commercial properties, state facilities, nonprofits, and large multifamily developments. In 2016, Wes founded Building Evolution Corporation.
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Energy Improvements in Public Purpose Buildings: PPESCO Case Studies
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Mike Davey, Energy Efficient Investments (EEI)
- Paul Kervick, Awakening Sanctuary, Inc.
- Craig Simmons, VEIC
- Marc Therrien, BROC Community Action
Commons Energy is a company that offers significant energy savings for buildings that serve a public purpose. These can include educational institutions, healthcare facilities, municipal and other community buildings, and multifamily affordable housing. The Commons Energy Public Purpose Energy Service Company (PPESCO) model combines a full complement of energy services with patient capital from several sources in an approach that helps organizations take advantage of energy savings from building improvements. This presentation will explain the PPESCO model and provide two very different case studies of recently completed energy performance projects. The first case study is a senior care facility in Montpelier, Vermont, where energy upgrades included an innovative application of a heat pump water heater. The second case study is the headquarters of a community services organization in Rutland, Vermont, that includes a food shelf and whose building systems were on the verge of failure prior to the energy retrofit. The presentation will explore the various technical solutions but also the project process and financing structures.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Mike Davey
Mike Davey is the business development manager for Energy Efficient Investments (EEI), a midsized performance contractor that focuses on energy-efficient and renewable solutions. The EEI team has completed comprehensive performance contracts for Bennington School District, BROC, and Addison Northwest School District. Mike has been in the energy efficiency and construction industry for more than 15 years. He holds a bachelor's degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology and a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
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Paul Kervick
Paul Kervick is an entrepreneur, social architect, educator, and minister. Paul's passion in life is working creatively in areas that help all life to become vital and sustainable. Currently, Paul is co-founder, director, and president of Awakening Sanctuary, Inc. (dba Living Well Group), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and charitable organization whose central focus is innovative approaches to holistic, vital, and sustainable community-based eldercare. It has locations in Bristol, Vermont, the Living Well Residence; Burlington, Vermont, the Ethan Allen Residence; and Montpelier, Vermont, the Heaton Woods Residence.
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Craig Simmons
Craig Simmons, P.E., has more than 10 years' experience in commercial building energy analysis, utility programs, and building codes compliance. In his role at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), Craig identifies, advocates for, and advises on energy efficiency improvements in new construction and existing industrial, commercial, and multifamily buildings. Craig is a project engineer for Commons Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of VEIC that provides ESCO services for smaller, public-purpose buildings and owners. Craig previously worked as a consultant in Boston, providing guidance to owners and designers in pursuit of LEED certification, utility incentive programs, federal tax credits, and energy code compliance.
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Marc Therrien
Marc Therrien is the program director for BROC's Weatherization and Energy Conservation program. Through that program, Marc is responsible for delivering weatherization services for low-income families throughout Vermont. Marc also acts as facilities manager for BROC's headquarters building in Rutland, Vermont, which recently underwent a significant energy retrofit and which is a participant in Efficiency Vermont's Deep Energy Retrofit program.
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The New Wave of State Appliance and Lighting Energy Efficiency Standards
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Christopher Granda, Appliance Standards Awareness Project
- Curtis McCormack, Vermont House of Representatives
Two bills designed by the Appliance Standards Awareness Project have been signed into law as Acts 42 (2017) and 193 (2018) in Vermont. They include 17 new Vermont state energy efficiency mandatory standards. These standards do not exist at the federal level, and in several cases had not been put in place by any other state. In our region, Rhode Island and Massachusetts may also have passed similar legislation by the time of the BBD conference. By taking this leadership position, Vermont and other states are continuing the 40-year legacy of commonsense energy efficiency standards that are being threatened by the Trump administration. In this presentation, we will talk about the role of energy efficiency standards in reducing consumer costs and environmental impacts, and review the specific requirements and paths to compliance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Christopher Granda
Christopher Granda is a senior researcher/advocate at the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a nonprofit organization that works on mandatory energy efficiency standards for lighting and appliances. He has over 30 years of experience in the energy efficiency field with a focus on lighting and residential appliances. He came to ASAP in 2015 after operating as an independent consultant for seven years for clients including CLASP, electric utilities, and state and federal governments. Chris also spent eight years at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, where he helped design and implement energy efficiency programs. Prior to that, Chris worked on efficiency programs in China, Vietnam, and South Africa for international groups.
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Curtis McCormack
Curt McCormack was a member of the Vermont House representing the City of Rutland from 1983 until 1996. He moved to his current district in Burlington in 2008. He chaired the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy for five years and was chair of the Joint House/Senate Energy Committee, vice chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Environment Committee, and representative on the NCSL High Level Radioactive Waste Repository Task Force. He was also co-chair of the New England Recycling Council and vice chair of the Vermont Rail Council. He was the sponsor of Act 78, Vermont's comprehensive solid waste law. Curt is also an electrical contractor.
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A Vapor-Open Airtight Wall Assembly That Improves the Drying of the Envelope
Envelope, Residential- Nick Stone, rk MILES
Consumers today are saying, "I am more confused now than ever before about what material I need to put into my wall system" or"I am concerned that certain products won't work well in conjunction with each other; what should I do?" The presenter's company has developed and tested a wall system called VOAT-WALL that uses vapor-open products that work in harmony with each other to make a high performing wall system that is durable and effective. It combines a drainable mineral fiber insulation with a fully adhered weather-resistant barrier to make the system airtight along with a fully insulated EPS buck system around windows openings to allow for a continuous thermal break.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Nick Stone
Nick Stone is a passionate conceptual designer focusing on wall performance design in residential housing. As an employee of rk MILES, Nick applies all the latest technology offered in the lumber and building material industry to the emerging concepts related to efficient energy management as a result of the construction process. The VOAT (vapor open, airtight) system focuses on the integration of high-performance products, creating a durable, long-lasting wall. Nick holds an associate's degree in construction management from Vermont Technical College. Nick and rk MILES have completed about 24 houses with this system and many more with variations of the system all across Vermont.
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Affordable Multifamily Housing: Net Zero and Passive House? Challenges, Opportunities, Mistakes, and Solutions
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Laura Bailey, Maclay Architects
- Tim Estes, Estes & Gallup, Inc.
- Bill Maclay, Maclay Architects
- Andrew Winter, Twin Pines Housing
If high-end clients can't "afford" either Passive House or net zero energy (NZE) certification, how can nonprofit housing developers possibly afford both? Twin Pines Housing is taking on this challenge at a 29-unit affordable housing project in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. The project addresses a challenging combination of long-term capital costs, incentives, financial requirements, and limited budget. The session will show how this team addressed these numerous uncertainties and its reasoning in pursuing combined NZE and Passive House certifications. Pursuing NZE certification was agreed to near the beginning of design for financial reasons; Passive House certification is being pursued as potentially achievable with the building as designed for NZE. The presenters will share where the project is in the NZE and PHIUS certification processes and will investigate the financial aspects of both NZE and Passive House and how they can contribute to high-performance multifamily housing's financial success and long-term affordability on other projects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Laura Bailey
Laura Bailey is the research director at Maclay Architects and works on energy-efficient design, analysis, and monitoring. Her past work has included permaculture, biodiesel production, solar installation, and off-grid design/build. She was also a research fellow at the Energy Studies in Buildings Lab at the University of Oregon. At Maclay Architects, she executes comparative energy and cost analysis to develop financial information on proposed designs. Additionally, she has worked on projects and master plans combining site, program, and client needs for creative future-oriented solutions. Laura holds a B.A. in environmental design from Williams College and a master of architecture degree from the University of Oregon, and is a certified Passive House consultant.
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Tim Estes
Tim Estes is the president of Estes & Gallup, Inc., which was first incorporated in 1972 and since that time has steadily and proudly built a stellar reputation, first in residential construction, and for the past decade in commercial, industrial, institutional, and retail construction and renovation. Tim is a skilled construction project manager with over 20 years of experience. His specialty is pre-construction and project programming along with construction phase management. He particularly enjoys being a member of the project team from conception and tackling tough logistical issues.
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Bill Maclay
Bill Maclay is the author of the comprehensive resource for net-zero building design, The New Net Zero (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2014), and founding principal of Maclay Architects of Waitsfield, Vermont. Bill has pioneered a replicable model for net zero and environmentally sustainable architecture. Through practice, advocacy, and outreach, Bill has influenced thousands in creating a renewable planet. By making sustainability inherent to his practice, Bill has been at the forefront of designing innovative projects that have served as replicable, concrete, and cost-effective models for over four decades. His firm has designed more than 14 net-zero and net-zero ready buildings, including office, educational, manufacturing, municipal, and commercial buildings in cold climates.
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Andrew Winter
Andrew Winter is the executive director of Twin Pines Housing, the leading developer and provider of affordable housing in the Upper Connecticut River Valley region for individuals and families with low to moderate incomes in Vermont and New Hampshire. He is an experienced real estate professional with a varied background in the affordable housing industry as a developer, lender, and investor. He is an attorney with low-income housing tax credit experience, as well as lending and underwriting experience.
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Beyond Energy Efficiency-Why Embodied Carbon in Materials Matters
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Chris Magwood, Endeavour Centre
- Ace McArleton, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
- Jacob Racusin, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
The impact of materials and the construction process on a building's carbon footprint are referred to as "embodied carbon." With today's more energy-efficient enclosures and mechanical systems, as well as cleaner energy sources, some of the largest carbon impacts can come before the building has been occupied. The good news is that building materials can store large amounts of carbon taken from the atmosphere and act as "carbon sinks," banking carbon emissions for generations. This session will look at why embodied carbon matters and how it relates to operational carbon emissions. The panel will present both real-world case studies and modeled scenarios to illustrate the impact different materials and methods have on the embodied carbon profile of the building. Presenters will make recommendations on a range of strategies that designers and builders can use to reduce their buildings' carbon footprint and turn them into carbon sinks. Finally, the session will discuss activities of the Embodied Carbon Network, a national professional group tackling this issue head-on and showcasing the most cutting-edge strategies.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Magwood
Chris Magwood is obsessed with making energy-efficient, beautiful, and inspiring buildings without wrecking the planet. He co-founded Camel's Back Construction and has designed or built around 20 homes and a few commercial buildings, mostly with straw bales and often with renewable energy systems. He brings this experience and passion to his role as curriculum developer and instructor at Endeavour. He loves working with learners and collaborating with professionals and newcomers alike to create remarkable buildings and communities. Chris has won numerous design and teaching awards, including a Home Sweet Home Award for Affordable Housing.
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Ace McArleton
Ace McArleton started out as an apprentice in the union masonry trades doing commercial construction in urban areas. He founded New Frameworks Natural Design/Build to offer green remodeling and new construction services, blending natural building materials and methods with high-performance design. Ace teaches in the Natural Building certificate program at the Yestermorrow School, is co-author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), and led his business's conversion to a worker cooperative in 2016. Ace is passionate about finding practical, regional solutions to build healthy, just communities now into the future.
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Jacob Racusin
Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks Natural Design/Build, offering services in green remodeling, new construction, consultation, and education, featuring low-impact, high-performance building technologies. Through his work as a designer, builder, consultant, and educator, Jacob is able to merge his passions for fine craft, ecological stewardship, relationship to place, and social justice. Jacob is Program Director of the Certificate in Building Science and Net Zero Design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor and certified Passive House consultant. Jacob wrote Essential Building Science (New Society, 2016) and The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), which he co-authored with Ace McArleton.
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Meeting the Passive House Airtightness Standard in a Historic Downtown Building
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Lynn Cetrano, Black River Design Architects
- Sue Cobb, Housing Vermont
- Jon Haehnel, BVH Integrated Services
- Dave Stanley, Trumbull-Nelson Construction Company
The Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) has one of the most stringent building airtightness standards in the United States. This standard is very challenging to meet in new construction of multifamily housing. Is it even possible to meet the same standard in an existing historic downtown Montpelier multistory building? This panel discussion will describe the strategies taken to meet the PHIUS standard. There will be four presenters. The architect and building enclosure commissioning agent will describe what areas were focused on to ensure that the 0.05 CFM50/exterior surface area standard was met. The owner representative will discuss why the Passive House airtightness goal was important to the long-term affordability of the property. The site superintendent will talk about the challenges of implementing the details on the job site.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Lynn Cetrano
Lynn is a project manager at Black River Design Architects. She has worked on both new and renovation projects over the past 19 years with the company. Lynn has worked on various project types including education, hospitality, institutional care, housing, medical office and historic preservation. She enjoyed the collaborative approach of the French Block project as the team worked on finding the best solutions to combine energy efficiency, historic preservation and housing standards from design through construction.
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Sue Cobb
Sue is a project manager at Housing Vermont and has worked on many historic renovations projects in her 28 years with the company. Sue is particularly interested in balancing energy efficiency strategies, resident comfort, and capital and operating costs, with building code, ventilation requirements and historic preservation standards.
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Jon Haehnel
Jon has been testing and inspecting institutional and commercial buildings for over 16 years. Jon has tested buildings as large as a city block in downtown Manhattan and as small as an 81 square foot automated weather station slated for Antarctica. Jon's expertise is in building envelope testing and design. Most of his work focuses on new and retrofit commercial and institutional construction but he also does forensic testing to determine the root cause of high energy costs, mold, ice dams, and pipe freeze-ups. Jon is a certified Building Performance Institute (BPI) Building Analyst and Envelope Specialist. Jon is currently the blower door and energy auditor instructor for Vermont Technical College and the coauthor of the paper Setting Airtightness Standards in the ASHRAE Journal. He has also presented on building envelope commissioning at the Better Buildings by Design Conference in Burlington, VT in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
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Dave Stanley
Dave Stanley has been with Trumbull-Nelson for 33 years. He has run projects since he was 23 years old, starting with small residential projects and working his way up to large commercial projects. Dave enjoys all the challenges that constructing new or old buildings bring.
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Adventures in Monitoring Mechanical Systems
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Marc Rosenbaum, South Mountain Company
How do we know that the mechanical systems we specify are operating the way we think they are? South Mountain Company has a couple of compulsive measurers. This session will examine performance of a high-end energy recovery ventilator over a heating season; the energy usage of residential hot water recirculation systems; operation of multi-zone cold climate heat pumps; and the CO2 levels and operation of a retrofitted ERV system at an elementary school. If there’s time, we may add a segment on radon monitoring. Insights and lessons learned will be freely shared, even the embarrassing ones.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Marc Rosenbaum
Marc Rosenbaum, P.E., is a longtime student of making great buildings. He uses an integrated systems design approach to help people create buildings and communities connected to the natural world, supporting both personal and planetary health. Much of his recent work has been net-zero energy buildings, deep energy retrofits, and Passive Houses. His work has been recognized nationally by ASHRAE, AIA, EEBA, and NESEA, but they didn’t see all the mistakes along the way.
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Putting It All Together Using Integrated Project Delivery, Passive House, Big BIM, LEAN, Networked Learning, and Respect to Deliver High-performance Buildings at Market Rate
Commercial, Commercial- Adam Cohen,
The climate change imperative combined with political, economic, and social realities in the United States has made a strong case for disruptive change in the building industry. The Build SMART construction system is one tool for high-performance buildings, but it is aimed specifically at the multifamily segment. The presenter has started an initiative to help teams consistently deliver all types of high-performance buildings at market rate using integrated project delivery. The concepts introduced in this session are seeds that need to be tended. Once teams have a basic understanding of concepts, they are invited to become part of a broader community. This community is a no-cost, online, open source networked learning platform designed to help participants hone skills; create, use, and simplify tools and systems; and share best practices in what will be an international community of practice. Each team will adapt to its own environment, and each team will find that some things work and some don’t; the vision is that they will share both successes and failures in order to move the community forward, changing and adapting as they go.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Adam Cohen
Adam Cohen is a leading North American Passive House practitioner whose innovative work on market-rate delivery of commercial high-performance buildings has touched projects across North America. He has presented technical papers at both national and international conferences. His leadership in commercial Passive House design has made him a sought-after speaker, consultant, and teacher of advanced courses in ultra-low energy design. He served as vice chair of the Passive House Institute U.S. technical committee for five years and is co-creator and teacher of the Passive House Institute U.S.’s builder training curriculum. Adam is a board member of Yestermorrow Design/Build School and Passive Buildings Canada.
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Concrete Detailing for a Low-carbon Future
Healthy Homes, Both Residential and Commercial- Russ Miller-Johnson, Engineering Ventures, PC
- Ashar Nelson, Vermont Integrated Architecture, PC
Architects, structural engineers, and civil engineers need to contribute to meaningful reductions in carbon from concrete use. In this session, attendees will acquire the technical background and model language to confidently specify and construct more sustainable concrete on every project. The session will cover reductions in Portland cement content, supplemental cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag, and methods for adapting curing time and strength requirements. We will also discuss minimizing the thickness of concrete elements such as slabs on grade, elevated slabs, and walls. In addition, SMART detailing of concrete elements in a building can improve thermal performance and save energy. In exploring the technical aspects of cement reduction, this session will demonstrate how global warming potential can be included in a performance-based specification. Participates will learn about environmental product declarations (EPDs) and how they can be used with or without life cycle analysis (LCA) to verify the global warming potential of various concrete mixes. Ultimately, the session will present model specification language, details, and strategies for achieving more sustainable concrete on all projects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Russ Miller-Johnson
Russ Miller-Johnson, P.E., Senior Engineer/Principal, has 37 years of progressive experience in sustainable structural engineering design including lead engineer roles in management and execution of projects. Russ has been involved in sustainable projects throughout his practice. He is currently serving on the American Society of Civil Engineers Structural Engineering Institute’s (SEI) Sustainability Committee. In this capacity, co-authored the masonry section of ASCE's “Structural Engineer’s Guide to Sustainability”, has presented at Structures Congress' and the NASCC on thermal break and fabric-formed concrete practices. Russ chairs the SEI Sustainability Committee’s Thermal Bridging Working Group. He has written for national structural engineering magazines on foundations and thermal bridging reduction as well. Russ leads the EV Green Team's implementation of structural material re-use, Life Cycle Analysis and CO2 load work.
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Ashar Nelson
Ashar Nelson is a lifelong Vermonter with extensive experience in design and construction. As co-founder of Vermont Integrated Architecture, occasional faculty member in the architectural studies program at Middlebury College, and past faculty advisor to the college’s Solar Decathlon, he is committed to promoting sustainable building designs and innovative construction methods. Ashar believes that an integrated design process, representing users, constructors, estimators, and craftspeople, is essential in achieving high-performance buildings. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and a master’s degree from the University of Oregon. Ashar prides himself on helping his clients make well-informed decisions about energy and resource use in their buildings.
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Maximize Savings, Maximize Control: The Value of Lighting Design
Lighting, Commercial- Stephen Beard, LC, NorthEast Electrical Distributors
- Ravi Parikh, RAB Lighting
The most common approach to traditional lighting upgrades has been a one-for-one fixture replacement. This approach to lighting upgrades often does not account for proper light levels, occupant comfort and health, or the maximum potential for energy savings. Facilities are beginning to optimize their lighting by reducing the number of fixtures, maximizing utility incentives, implementing networked lighting controls, and making their lighting a dynamic and interactive resource for their staff and patrons. This presentation will discuss these benefits in detail and the resources available to help guide you along the way. We will review a local project and describe how lighting design not only offered the benefits listed above but also a few unexpected benefits, all of which helped improve the end user’s bottom line.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Stephen Beard, LC
Stephen Beard has 23 years of experience in electrical distribution, with a focus on lighting project management. He earned his NCQLP Lighting Certification in 2011, is a member of the IES, and is a Participating Designer in Efficiency Vermont’s Lighting Design Program. Stephen enjoys working closely with lighting manufacturers and electrical contractors to find the best solutions to the real-world energy usage, functionality, and budgetary problems that his clients face.
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Ravi Parikh
With years of experience managing and implementing utility efficiency programs, Ravi Parikh now works as Business Development Manager for RAB Lighting, where his focus is educating industry members on the value in maximizing energy savings through the use of lighting design and networked lighting controls. As a member of the IES Energy Efficiency Program Committee and Efficiency Maine’s Networked Lighting Controls Advisory Group, Ravi has established himself as an advocate for energy-efficient lighting. His work includes education and training for various local utility programs, including Efficiency Vermont, Burlington Electric Department, National Grid, Eversource, and Efficiency Maine.
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High-performance Homes 1: It’s Achievable Now—Integrated Design
Healthy Homes, Residential- Karen Bushey, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Gregor Masefield, Studio III Architechture
- Cooper Smith-Stackhouse, Silver Maple Construction
High-performance and net-zero homes are gaining remarkable traction in the new construction market. The Efficiency Vermont residential group has worked with well over 100 of these homes in Vermont. This session will begin with the building blocks of efficient home design, exploring the implications of siting, shape, and orientation. It will then dive into slam-dunk, affordable building assemblies, synergies that allow affordable HVAC systems to be incorporated, and how others have transitioned to airtightness levels of 1.0 ACH50 or less. We will discuss items that should never be value engineered, how to get subs on board, and high-performance experience with modular homes. The presenters will speak to how some of the most successful projects have used integrated design work and communication across the project team, and how this can be crucial in achieving benefits such as reduced-cost HVAC and MEP systems. A case study will present the architect and builder perspectives on the process, and how it can result in a building that performs beautifully and affordably.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Karen Bushey
Karen S. Bushey, AIA, LEED AP, CPHC, joined Vermont Energy Investment Corporation in 2014 as a residential energy consultant with the goal of helping homeowners, builders, and architects create comfortable, durable, low-energy homes that optimize building performance. A licensed architect, certified Passive House consultant and PHIUS+ rater, Karen has over 20 years of experience in the field of architecture. Karen earned a bachelor of architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Her knowledge of high-performance design and experience working closely with numerous contractors has been key to the success of many residential and commercial projects in New England. Karen is secretary of Vermont Passive House.
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Gregor Masefield
Gregor Masefield, AIA, NCARB, CPHC owns Studio III architects in Bristol, VT. His firm is committed to design with sensitivity to our unique northeast climate, commitment to the use of native materials, and strong partnerships with talented local craftsmen and builders. Recently Studio III completed two Passive Houses in Addison County, Vermont, in an evolving quest to develop prototypes for affordable, energy efficient homes.
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Cooper Smith-Stackhouse
Cooper Smith-Stackhouse is a second-generation carpenter, living in Addison County, Vermont. Employed by Silver Maple Construction in New Haven, he specializes in building high-performance homes. Cooper has been instrumental in the recent successful completion of several high-performance homes and Passive Houses in Vermont.
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Integrated Teams for Young Professionals: Guiding New Homeowners through Deep Energy Retrofits
Healthy Homes, Residential- Alex Beck, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
- Eli Gould, Precraft Services, LLC
- Candace Pearson, BuildingGreen
- Peter Yost, BuildingGreen
This session will present a particular deep energy retrofit’s team structure, decision-making processes, and design challenges through a guided overview of key project components. This pilot project will be of technical interest to many for its use of air to water heat pumps, advanced HVAC, and newly available interior insulation materials. Each member of the panel will present his or her own area of expertise and tie it back to the shared vision and goals of the integrated team. One will discuss enclosure, HVAC, and space plan, design questions/considerations, another will discuss building envelope and moisture management, and the third will talk about healthy and sustainable building products, as well as how her experience facilitating integrated project delivery helped build the current team. The homeowner is a rural economic and community development specialist with a background in environmental science and sustainability, as well as the program director for the Southern Vermont Young Professionals program. He will discuss how a deep energy retrofit/gut rehab can align with nearly all regional and statewide economic development goals, including engaging underserved markets (young professionals and new families).
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Alex Beck
Alex Beck studied and worked in rural sustainable development in Ecuador, China, Liberia, and Rwanda, until settling in Brattleboro, Vermont, at the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, Windham County’s regional development group. As a workforce specialist, he trains, supports, retains, and recruits the millennial and young professional population the Vermont economy needs to thrive. He collected a team of New England’s most skilled builders and building scientists to turn a nearly blighted home from the 1850s into a perfect starter family home in downtown Brattleboro. Alex holds an M.A. in sustainable development and a B.S. in environmental science.
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Eli Gould
Eli Gould left his hometown in southern Vermont in the early 1990s to develop a new dual-major track at Yale in architecture and forestry and then founded the design/build firm Ironwood Brand. After working in the national timber-frame and custom prefab markets, Eli returned to Vermont to lead a small firm dedicated to top-tier projects. The Ironwood Brands now include dedicated manufacturing under PreCraft Inc. and wood product focus under STIX, L3C. Eli’s project highlights include a “Best of the Best” Passive House and the Open_1 Prototype home by Bensonwood. Recently he has focused on broader and more affordable mainstream practice.
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Candace Pearson
Candace Pearson is currently a student at Vermont Law School where she is studying how to draft Integrated Project Delivery contracts for high performance buildings. Candace got her start as a writer at BuildingGreen, Inc. where she published articles spanning from healthy materials to indoor air quality. As she moved into consulting, she began facilitating integrative process workshops and was amazed by how offering building professionals the chance to collaborate resulted in a better project all-around. She since worked to execute the first Integrated Project Delivery contract in New England for the construction of a circus trapezium in Brattleboro, Vermont.
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Peter Yost
Peter Yost is a principal and Vice-President Building Performance with BuildingGreen, Inc. in Brattleboro, Vermont. He has been building, researching, teaching, writing, and consulting on high-performance homes for more than 25 years. His expertise includes construction waste management, advanced framing, energy efficiency, and building durability. Peter was the principal author of the NAHB Advanced Green Building: Building Science course materials and a co-author of the USGBC REGREEN workshop curriculum. Peter is currently technical director for GreenBuildingAdvisor.com and an instructor for several prestigious institutions. He holds a B.S. in agronomy from Virginia Tech and an M.S. in resource economics from UNH.
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Case Study: Building Enclosure Upgrades at Facilities with High Moisture Emission Rates
Commercial, Commercial- Frederick McKnight, Turner Building Sicence & Design, LLC
This session will review the upgrade of the building enclosure of a historic landmark building to obtain additional energy efficiencies and the resulting evaluation that was completed to determine the root causes of the moisture-related problems that followed the upgrade of the walls. After completion of the renovation work, which consisted of removing the interior walls (gypsum board, plaster, and lathe) and installing insulation within the cavities of the framed wall, and then covering the insulation with a vapor barrier and new gypsum board, the newly applied exterior paint on the clapboard siding began blistering, peeling, and falling off. The presenters’ study identified sources of moisture within the facility and the associated migration pathways. This in turn allowed them to recommend a multi-step moisture control system that may lower the current emission rates to levels that can be tolerated by the existing exterior finish system, not require removal and replacement of the exterior finish system, and allow the facility to operate at a high degree of utilization.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Frederick McKnight
Frederick McKnight is the senior vice president of building science at Turner Building Science & Design. He has over 30 years of experience in HVAC design, indoor air quality evaluations, and building enclosure, commissioning in commercial environments. Frederick McKnight and Turner Building Science are members of ABAA (the Air Barrier Association of America) and BCxA (the Building Commissioning Association). He is a registered professional engineer with the State of Vermont. In addition, he is a LEED accredited professional and certified commissioning authority. He has shaped his career with design, implementation and commissioning of energy-efficient and healthy building environments.
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The Future of Lighting
Lighting, Both Residential and Commercial- John Curran, LED Transformations, LLC
The combination of LED and lighting controls represents the future for lighting, as LEDs become the dominant light source and lighting controls become commonplace. This combination will bring new features not possible with conventional sources and systems. However, unlike previous lighting advances, this combination will also upend the industry, forever changing how lighting is used. How will customer needs change? What health benefits will color-changing products provide? Who will support tomorrow’s lighting control networks? Why will eliminating (or at least hiding) complexity be the key to future success? What skill sets will tomorrow’s companies possess? What do you need to be doing right now to prepare for this future? Attend this presentation and find out.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP, PHIUS
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
John Curran
John Curran has spent over 30 years in the area of product development. With 28 patents issued, he has been responsible for a wide range of products. Currently he is president of LED Transformations, LLC, a New Jersey–based technology consulting company specializing in providing guidance to companies entering the solid-state lighting field. He is a member of SPIE, IESNA, OSA, and ASA. He has given numerous talks to the lighting industry on the correct use of LED technology for general illumination applications both for his own company and on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.
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Design-Bid-Build Is Dead
Healthy Homes, Both Residential and Commercial- Mel Baiser, HELM Construction Solutions, LLC
- Kate Stephenson, HELM Construction Solutions, LLC
- Erin Rennoldson , HELM Construction Solutions, LLC
This interactive session is designed to introduce builders, architects, and clients to a new way of doing business. Whether it is a clash over who is ultimately responsible for a project going over budget, a struggle getting the architect and client to make timely decisions, or a communication breakdown with the builder, we see the same challenges over and over. As an alternative to the conventional design-bid-build method of creating buildings, the presenters will walk you through what it takes to create an integrated team that benefits all parties. This integrated approach compensates builders for their time in the pre-construction/design and planning phase, helps inform the design by incorporating cost estimating and builder feedback early in the process, and allows the team to create high-performance buildings, both residential and commercial, in which building systems and assemblies work together holistically. Sound complicated? Learn from two project managers who facilitate integrated teams and set your next project up for success.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Mel Baiser
Mel Baiser is a partner in HELM Construction Solutions, which works with owners, designers and builders to create high-performance and sustainable buildings and businesses. Mel has over a dozen years of experience in the construction industry, both in the field as a carpenter and weatherization installer and in the office as a project manager and estimator. Mel has completed certifications with the Building Performance Institute and the Passive House Institute US. Coming from a family of builders and a background in social justice and community organizing, Mel is passionate about weaving together efforts for climate justice, building high performance homes, improving the process of doing construction while maintaining triple bottom line business principles for the professionals involved.
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Kate Stephenson
Kate Stephenson is a partner in HELM Construction Solutions, which works with owners, designers, and builders to create high-performance and sustainable buildings and businesses. She’s worked with businesses and nonprofits to achieve triple-bottom-line metrics, develop business systems, and plan for a dynamic and resilient future. She led the Yestermorrow Design/Build School for over 13 years. Kate is a facilitator for NESEA’s BuildingEnergy Bottom Lines program, chairs the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee, and serves on the board of the Urban Death Project and the Vermont Council on Rural Development. She holds an M.S. in management from Antioch University New England.
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Erin Rennoldson
Erin Rennoldson is a project manager at HELM Construction Solutions, a Vermont-based firm working with owners, designers, and builders to create high-performance and sustainable buildings and businesses. Erin has spent the past decade in the construction industry. Her knowledge of interior design, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, windows and doors, and plumbing and lighting fixtures positions her well to support clients during the selection process. With a B.A. in environmental science, Erin is constantly seeking ways to lessen our footprint on the planet, from the simple tasks of specifying locally sourced and sustainable materials, to the big picture of being a part of creating high-performance buildings.
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High-performance Homes 2: News from the Field—the Homeowner Experience
Healthy Homes, Residential- William Kallock, Integral Analytics
- Matt Sargent, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
High-performance and net-zero homes are no longer a new thing. Hundreds of such homes are now in place across the Northeast, and the time has come to evaluate how they’re performing and what we can all learn from the early adopters. The presenter recently led a survey in which a dozen of these homeowners were interviewed. He’ll discuss perceptions, problems, and what homeowners value most. The session will focus on HVAC in particular. The discussion will include homeowners’ (and installers’) understanding of cold climate heat pump details (e.g., control settings, thermostat location) and awareness and operation of balanced ventilation systems. The presenter will compare how these HVAC systems are operating versus how those in non-high-performance buildings are operating, and how they impact the homeowners. A case study will also be presented in which a high-performance homeowner discusses his experience of the past three years. You’ll leave this session with insights gained from others’ trials and mistakes and clear takeaways for implementing HVAC systems with fewer problems.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
William Kallock
For the past 27 years Bill Kallock has worked with utilities around the country designing and evaluating energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, including residential new construction programs. Bill currently works for Integral Analytics providing analytics tools to the electric industry to optimize the electricity distribution grid to include as much energy efficiency and local renewable generation as possible. In 2012 Bill and his family pursued their dream of building a high-performance house that saves valuable resources and has a strong financial return.
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Matt Sargent
A former builder and current senior energy consultant within the Efficiency Vermont residential new construction team, Matt has three decades of building and consulting experience. He was involved in a number of Vermont’s early high-performance homes, helping design and construction professionals bridge the gap between standard practice and the next generation of materials, design, and construction methods. He is passionate about helping Vermonters transform the residential building market.
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Passive House Retrofit of a Vermont House
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Enrique Bueno, E+ Buildings
- Paul Sipple, NECCO, Inc.
This session covers the incremental deep energy retrofit of a 1,200-square-foot house to meet the Passive House standard. The presentation will walk the audience through the energy modeling process to set the retrofit parameters required to meet the Passive House standard, as well as the incremental construction process, materials, and components used through a three-year period to complete the retrofit job. Presenters will compare the initial calculated energy performance of the house with the forecast predicted by the energy model. The house was fully occupied (by two adults and three children) during two of the three phases of the project. The blower door test before the retrofit gave 1,665 CFM50. After the wall cavity insulation and new windows were in place and before outer layers of insulation were completed, a new blower door test showed 48 CFM50, a reduction of 97% of air infiltration.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Enrique Bueno
Enrique Bueno holds a degree in chemical engineering and has 40 years’ experience in process industry. For the past six years, he has been a certified Passive House consultant working as senior engineer at E+ Buildings. Enrique is a founding member of the Vermont Passive House organization, presently serving as the board’s chair for the organization, and has worked in new construction as well as retrofit energy modeling jobs to meet the Passive House standard.
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Paul Sipple
Paul Sipple is the owner of the New England Construction Company (NECCO, Inc.) and has been operating as a general contractor for 33 years. Paul started in the residential market and after a few years pursued the public-sector construction market. He has kept his hands in the residential market and four years ago, aware of the Passive Haus building standards, became a Certified Passive Haus Builder. In those four years Paul has completed deep energy retrofits on apartments, offices, and single-family houses. They now all use heat pumps as their sole source of heat. This project is Paul’s first opportunity to do a certified building and it will be one of the few retrofitted to a Passive House standard in VT.
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Break It Up! How and Why to Separate Interior Spaces
Healthy Homes, Both Residential and Commercial- John Straube, RDH Building Science Inc. and University of Waterloo
Expectations for airtightness are steadily increasing. In some areas, builders and architects have become quite good at “building tight” across the building enclosure. But there is less awareness of the hows and whys of sealing between units in multi-unit residential buildings. This session will discuss compartmentalization research and practice, including airtightness test methods, specification, and telltale signs of poor compartmentalization. We will also touch on different HVAC strategies, including the use of individual heat recovery ventilation systems, and look at the pros and cons of each strategy in compartmentalized buildings.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
John Straube
John Straube, Ph.D., P.Eng., is a principal at RDH Building Science Inc., where he heads forensic investigations and leads research projects in the areas of low-energy building design, building enclosure performance, hygrothermal analysis, and field monitoring of wall assemblies. He is also a prolific writer and a noted public speaker. As one blogger wrote after attending a keynote speech: “he clearly loves what he does.” In addition to his work with RDH, Dr. Straube is a cross-appointed faculty member in the School of Architecture and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His leadership as a building scientist and an educator has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Building Science Education from the National Consortium of Housing Research Centers (NCHRC) and the Professional Leadership Award from the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA).
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The Old Hinesburg Police Station—Completing the Zero-energy Project
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
- David Pill, Pill Maharam Architects
- Chuck Reiss, Reiss Building and Renovation
- Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance, Inc.
As a sequel to the 2017 presentation that focused on the design process of converting the old Hinesburg police station to Energy Futures Group’s new net-zero energy office building, the 2018 session will present the construction process along with actual energy usage data. How do you turn an 1860s farmhouse into a high-performance building that produces all its annual energy with PV panels on the roof? It’s not easy, but the design and construction team kept the zero-energy goal in mind throughout the process and have delivered a high-performance model for future construction projects. The building’s owner, architect, energy consultant, and builder will walk through the construction details, highlight key challenges and decisions, and provide energy usage and PV production details. Lessons learned, what worked and what didn’t, and tips for future projects will be shared, along with lots of pictures and a video of the construction process.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Richard Faesy
Richard Faesy is a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group in Hinesburg, Vermont. As a certified energy rater, LEED accredited professional, and DOE Home Energy Score assessor, he specializes in residential buildings, technologies, and markets. He has expertise in residential new construction and retrofits; energy rating and labeling; building codes; financing; green building; the integration of renewables and energy efficiency; and effective energy efficiency policy, program design, and implementation. He currently works with clients throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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David Pill
David Pill is the principal of Pill-Maharam Architects, a small firm in Shelburne, Vermont. He has a master’s degree in architecture from Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and art history from Lake Forest College. David has been a practicing architect for 25 years and is licensed in all six New England states and New York. After working at The Architects’ Collaborative in Cambridge, Massachusetts, David founded Pill-Maharam Architects in 1991 and has been involved with sustainable design practices since its inception. David’s passion lies in creating sculptural and pragmatic environmentally responsible buildings that produce zero carbon emissions. Pill-Maharam Architects’ work has been widely published, and the firm has received a number of local and national awards.
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Chuck Reiss
Chuck Reiss is the owner of Reiss Building and Renovation, building high-performance, net-zero energy homes and moving existing homes closer to net-zero energy since 1982. Chuck is one of the founding members of Building for Social Responsibility and a director of the Building Performance Professional Association of Vermont. A certified BPI professional and a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor, he is dedicated to getting existing homes off fossil fuel through a combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and heat pumps. Chuck is also an adjunct professor at UVM and is chair of the Hinesburg Energy Committee.
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Andy Shapiro
Andy Shapiro, president of Energy Balance, Inc., has provided high-performance building energy analysis, design, and monitoring consulting services for 30 years to clients including owners, architects, engineers, builders, housing developers, universities, businesses, and efficiency programs. He provides guidance in conceptualization, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy assessment, for optimizing the environmental impact of the building, indoor environmental quality, operating and maintenance costs, and building durability. He works with new and existing buildings, from single-family homes up to larger institutional buildings. He is also the director of science and engineering for the Vermont Energy Education Program, bringing along the energy literacy of the next generation.
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PVs and Battery Storage in Low-energy Buildings
Healthy Homes, Residential- Marc Rosenbaum, South Mountain Company
The next step beyond zero net energy is pushing to see how much energy used on site can be supplied by the PV system. In sun-tempered superinsulated housing, with a PV system sized to zero out the annual consumption, only about one-quarter of the PV energy is used as it is generated. On-site battery storage makes it possible to drive this fraction up significantly. In this session, we will look at daily and seasonal residential energy use data from low-energy homes. Using a simulation tool that relies on hourly inputs for energy use and PV generation, we’ll examine the effects of varying battery and PV array sizing, as well as load variation, on the degree of renewable self-consumption that can be achieved. We’ll draw some insights from all this and the implications for how we think about design.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Marc Rosenbaum
Marc Rosenbaum, P.E., is a longtime student of making great buildings. He uses an integrated systems design approach to help people create buildings and communities connected to the natural world, supporting both personal and planetary health. Much of his recent work has been net-zero energy buildings, deep energy retrofits, and Passive Houses. His work has been recognized nationally by ASHRAE, AIA, EEBA, and NESEA, but they didn’t see all the mistakes along the way.
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Why Are Attics Insulated with Open-Cell Spray Foam So Damp?
Envelope, Residential- Martin Holladay, Green Building Advisor
Researchers in all U.S. climate zones are discovering that unvented conditioned attics insulated with open-cell spray foam installed on the underside of the roof sheathing are showing signs of high indoor humidity. In some cases, the moisture content of the roof sheathing in these attics is high enough to raise concerns about possible sheathing rot. The presentation will describe researchers’ understanding of the sources of the moisture causing the problem, as well as design guidance to help builders avoid moisture problems in unvented attics. Finally, the presentation will include recommendations for fixing problems in attics that are currently damp.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Martin Holladay
Martin Holladay is a senior editor at Green Building Advisor and Fine Homebuilding. His weekly blog, “Musings of an Energy Nerd,” focuses on energy-efficient residential construction. He built his first passive solar house in northern Vermont in 1974, and has lived off the grid since 1975. Before working as an editor, Holladay was a roofer, remodeler, and builder. He has also worked as a project manager for a nonprofit developer of low-income housing.
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Lighting in the Connected Transportation Environment
Lighting, Commercial- Ronald Gibbons, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
- Eric Haugaard, Cree Lighting
Automation is the future of almost all aspects of our lives. For lighting, automation is the key to energy savings, management of the negative aspects of outdoor lighting, and control of the visual environment. The trend toward automation includes transportation, as we move toward autonomous vehicles. Automated and autonomous vehicles are being equipped with sensing systems that replace the human eye and algorithms that replace the cognitive functions that allow humans to drive. This automation will have a significant impact on the infrastructure, and there is huge potential for the integration of lighting in this future. This session will be a discussion of the current status of automated and autonomous vehicles and the possibilities for lighting in this environment.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Ronald Gibbons
Ronald Gibbons is the director of the Center for Infrastructure-Based Safety Systems at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). He is also VTTI’s lead lighting research scientist. He studies the spectral effects of new light sources on roadways, the visibility of police vehicles, and adaptive lighting on roadways. He is also the PI and project manager for a safety project sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration. The author of over 80 published papers on roadway lighting, photometry, and target visibility, he is also a past president of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
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Eric Haugaard
Eric Haugaard is the director of product technology for Cree Lighting. His career of 30 years includes a variety of positions focused primarily on advanced lighting systems development. Eric holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering and completed his post-baccalaureate program studies at NASA/Ames Research Center. He holds 48 U.S. and 16 foreign patents related to lighting technology.
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The Goddess of Green Appraisal Holds Court
Healthy Homes, Both Residential and Commercial- Sandra Adomatis, Adomatis Appraisal Service
- Jeffrey Gephart, Vermontwise Energy Services, Inc.
Vermont’s growing inventory of high-performance homes dramatically outperform their competition. Unfortunately, home performance is usually invisible within real estate transactions. High-performance homes are complex appraisal assignments, as they have unique features compared to traditionally built homes. Most appraisers do not have training about this specialized property type, and without knowledge of the construction methods used and their benefits to the owner, it is difficult for an appraiser to consider them appropriately. Appraiser Sandra Adomatis wrote the book on green appraisal—literally! Where Vermont is making progress in appraiser education and real estate market transformation, it’s in great part occurring through application and exposure to training programs she has developed. This session will cover what design, building, and home performance professionals need to do to avoid appraisal problems and to realize contributory value for energy efficiency and renewable energy features as well as identify how available resources in Vermont can support builders’ efforts. The real estate market is a system that doesn’t function very rationally when energy use and cost aren’t accounted for.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Sandra Adomatis
Sandra K Adomatis, SRA, LEED Green Associate is a national speaker on valuing high performance features. Her background as an active real estate appraiser, REALTOR, instructor, and course developer brings insightful dialogue to share with builders, lenders, and real estate professionals. You might even say she wrote the book because she did author, “Residential Green Valuation Tools.” She spearheaded the “Appraisal Institute Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum” that is being used by builders, appraisers, and energy organizations around the country. Sandra’s delivery is energetic and humorous with life lessons that brought her to be known as the “Green Queen.” Her passion shines as shares her knowledge of the industry to do her part in moving the market to a higher performing place where home owners will live a safer, healthier, and less costly life. She enjoys networking with REALTORS, builders, appraisers, real estate agents, governmental agencies, and others involved in transforming the market with high-performing structures.
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Jeffrey Gephart
Jeffrey Gephart is president of Vermontwise Energy Services, Inc., an energy services company in Rochester, Vermont, founded in 1997. He has over 20 years of experience providing residential new construction energy efficiency program design, marketing, and implementation for utilities and, since 2000, for Efficiency Vermont. Jeff works with architects and builders who are building to Efficiency Vermont standards as well as ENERGY STAR® Homes, LEED for Homes, National Green Building Standard, and Passive House projects. Jeff leads the Vermont Green Home Alliance (VGHA), which works to increase education and information sharing with appraisers, home inspectors, mortgage lenders, real estate agents, and others.
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High-performance Homes 3: Selling It—Value, Finance, and Benefits
Healthy Homes, Residential- Brian Just, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Bruce Landry, 5 Star Energy Tech
- Jennifer Severidt, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
In order for consumers and the real estate market to fully embrace high-performance and net-zero homes, both financing and valuation barriers need to be addressed. On the financing side, Efficiency Vermont’s residential team is providing new appraisal support documents to enrollees of the high-performance homes (HPH) tier, toward accurate valuing of construction loans. This session will also cover pricing, cash-flow analysis, and bank versus lister appraisal value. We will consider easy-to-quantify items such as energy savings in high-performance homes, and also less well understood factors such as thermal comfort and indoor air quality, whose benefits can be significant. The presenters will introduce tools to evaluate and “price” comfort and air quality in a home and discuss the latest marketing used by others to “sell” high performance in markets across North America. Finally, we will use a recently completed Habitat for Humanity project as a real-world example of costs, financing, and valuation, showing how the pieces can fit together for an achievable high-performance project on a tight budget.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Brian Just
Brian Just manages Efficiency Vermont’s Residential New Construction team and works on a variety of energy efficiency initiatives at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He is a mechanical engineer who, after beginning his career designing large-scale custom test equipment, slowly shifted his focus to energy and health. While obtaining his master’s degree at the University of British Columbia, Brian researched biomass combustion and indoor air quality. He is RESNET, Passive House (CPHC), and LEED accredited professional certified, and is committed to serving Vermont’s residential design and construction community as its members pave the way to a future of highly efficient, healthy, durable homes.
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Bruce Landry
Bruce Landry is the owner of 5 Star Energy Tech an Energy Consultant Company. Bruce is a BPI-certified ENERGY STAR contractor, DOE qualified home energy assessor, Zero Energy Now contractor, and EPA lead RRP and EMP certified contractor. Bruce has been weatherizing homes throughout New England for 10 years and was the lead consultant on a multifamily unit in Montpelier with VHCB. His latest project is a net zero certified Passive House for Habitat for Humanity. His goal is to educate and assist homeowners in making their home as energy efficient as possible. Every home has energy potential savings and has found those savings on new homes as well as 100+ year old houses. Bruce also serves his community by volunteering his time and talent as a BPPA board vice chair, Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity Affiliate board vise chair and Affiliate Building Committee chair. Bruce is also on the Granite City Grocer (Co-Op) site committee.
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Jennifer Severidt
Jennifer Severidt has been in the building energy industry for 12 years, getting her start as an auditor at a local weatherization agency. Two of her passions are residential buildings and environmental conservation, and at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation she is able to pursue both. As a residential energy consultant, Jen applies her knowledge to the new construction industry, helping homes get built right the first time and continues to work with low-income customers as needed. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, a member of the SEON Building Science Guild, and an accredited green verifier for the National Green Building Standard.
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Hydronic Solutions for Low-energy Homes (3-Hour Extended Session)
Healthy Homes, Both Residential and Commercial- John Siegenthaler, Appropriate Designs
Energy codes continue to lower design heating loads. Given these low loads, advocates of low-energy house construction often view hydronic heating as unnecessary. The North American hydronics industry should not concede to the ductless mini-split industry when it comes to keeping occupants comfortable in low-energy-use houses. This extended session will show how hydronic systems can be tailored to the specific needs of low-energy houses including heating, domestic hot water supply, and even cooling. These solutions offer the benefits of improved comfort, lower distribution energy use, accommodation of many energy sources (both conventional and renewable), and long system life.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
John Siegenthaler
John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a licensed professional engineer, and professor emeritus of engineering technology at Mohawk Valley Community College. “Siggy” has over 35 years of experience in designing hydronic systems. He is a member of the Radiant Panel Association Hall of Fame and principal of Appropriate Designs, a consulting engineering firm. He is the author of two textbooks: Modern Hydronic Heating (Delmar Cengage Learning; 3rd ed., 2011), and Heating with Renewable Energy (Delmar Cengage Learning, 2016). He has worked closely with NYSERDA on implementation of hydronic-based biomass heating systems.
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Making Lighting Controls User Friendly: Limiting the Occupant Revolt
Lighting, Commercial- Shannon Markey, Legrand/Wattsopper
This presentation will offer a practical approach to properly specifying, installing, and commissioning lighting controls. Lighting controls are required by many codes and designed to save energy while enhancing the occupant experience. However, due to improper specification, installation, or commissioning, they often instead become a nuisance to occupants. Building users then bypass the controls (the “occupant revolt”) and end up not saving the energy they were intended to save. This seminar will walk attendees through a process that will result in a successful project and happy clients. The presentation will feature real-life examples of the good, the bad, and the ugly. In addition, we will discuss the benefits to owners in terms of ROI and energy savings maximization. All aspects required by energy codes will be covered: occupancy sensors, vacancy sensors, timer devices, daylighting, plug load control, overrides, etc. We will discuss the importance of developing a thorough sequence of operations for each space type in the building. This presentation is meant to be not only informative, but also a bit humorous.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Shannon Markey
Shannon Markey, LC, LEED AP, IESNA, has been involved in specifying and selling lighting controls for over 20 years in the Western U.S. at the manufacturer’s representative and manufacturer level. The majority of this time has been spent within the specification and installation processes, working directly with architects, electrical engineers, lighting designers, electrical contractors, and end users. He is passionate about delivering a positive experience to all customer levels within the construction process.
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The Thermal Barrier: Where to Place It? Does It Really Matter?
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Laz Scangas, Arnold and Scangas Architects
On which side of the exterior wall should the thermal barrier be located? Does it depend on the building? What if it is a historic building? This presentation will look at two existing masonry exterior wall buildings. One building was a former historic neighborhood school that has been converted into apartments, with the thermal envelope located at the interior side of the existing exterior wall. The other building was a former administration building for the Brandon Training School that has also been converted into apartments, with the thermal envelope located at the exterior side of the existing exterior wall. The presentation will review building components as a whole (thermal envelope, air sealing, windows and doors, mechanical systems, ventilation, electrical systems, and solar) and consider the costs for the installation of each system as well as the current fuel and electrical usage for each building.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Laz Scangas
Laz Scangas, AIA, is a principal at Arnold and Scangas Architects, located in downtown Saint Albans, Vermont. Laz believes in providing clients with efficient, comfortable, and healthy living environments that are easy to use, easy to maintain, energy-efficient, and beautiful. He is committed to balancing innovative green building technologies with long-standing good design practice and understands that sustainability begins with an integrated team process. The firm specializes in restoring and renovating historic buildings and working on efficient, tight building envelopes, as well as comfortable and well-designed affordable housing projects.
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Health and Buildings: Demystifying Material Choices in Construction
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Brian Just, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Jacob Racusin, New Frameworks Natural Design Build
A growing contingent of homeowners, builders, and architects are interested in the concept of healthier homes. Research points toward the need for wiser material choices—and not just low-VOC paint. Many decisions need to be made early, in the design phase, whereas others come much later, and everyone on the project team must be on board. To make matters more confusing, there are several dozen product certifications or ratings to choose from (e.g., Green Guard, FSC, and Declare). In this session, we will cut through the confusion and outline key strategies to help your team make informed decisions regarding insulation, flooring, countertops, cabinetry, paints, and various other products and finishes. You don’t need to be building a LEED, WELL, or Living Building Challenge project to benefit; these solutions work for small renovations and large new construction projects alike. Whether you’re looking for simple, low-cost upgrades for a remodeling project or are building for a client with allergies or chemical sensitivities, you’ll walk away with ideas that will help put you and your clients at ease.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Brian Just
Brian Just manages Efficiency Vermont’s Residential New Construction team and works on a variety of energy efficiency initiatives at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He is a mechanical engineer who, after beginning his career designing large-scale custom test equipment, slowly shifted his focus to energy and health. While obtaining his master’s degree at the University of British Columbia, Brian researched biomass combustion and indoor air quality. He is RESNET, Passive House (CPHC), and LEED accredited professional certified, and is committed to serving Vermont’s residential design and construction community as its members pave the way to a future of highly efficient, healthy, durable homes.
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Jacob Racusin
Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks Natural Design/Build, offering green remodeling, new construction, consultation, and education featuring natural building technologies. Through his work as a designer, builder, consultant, and educator, Jacob is able to merge his passions for fine craft, ecological stewardship, relationship to place, and social justice. Jacob is program director of the certificate in building science and net-zero design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor and certified Passive House consultant. Jacob wrote Essential Building Science (New Society, 2016), and The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), which he co-authored with Ace McArleton.
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Putting It All Together—Integrated Design for the Hampshire College R.W. Kern Center in Amherst, Massachusetts
Commercial, Commercial- Chris Chamberland, The Berkshire Design Group
- Roger Cooney, Wright Builders, Inc.
- Christopher Nielson, Bruner / Cott Architects
- Marc Rosenbaum, South Mountain Company
This presentation will give an overview of the Living Building Challenge (LBC) of the International Living Futures Institute. This will include specific LBC “petals” as related to the R.W. Kern Center project at Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts. The presentation segments will include an overview of the engineering, design, and construction process. We will also take a deep dive into energy requirements and a deep dive into water (pardon the pun), a look at the process needed to make it a reality, the results of the collaborative efforts, and finally the lessons learned along the way! Generous time will be allotted for questions and answers with the panel.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Chamberland
Chris Chamberland is a civil engineer with The Berkshire Design Group, an award-winning firm of landscape architects, civil engineers and land surveyors specializing in park and recreation design, site planning and commercial development based in Northampton, MA. Recently, Chris has been occupied by the Living Building Challenge’s Net Positive Water imperative, which has required him to find solutions that help his projects clear both technical and regulatory hurdles. Chris has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Notre Dame and a Masters in Civil Engineering from Columbia.
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Roger Cooney
Roger Cooney is the vice president of design, sales and estimating at Wright Builders Inc, a general contractor and construction manager based in Northampton, MA. Wright Builders is Western Massachusetts' leading construction expert and builds to the EPA’s ENERGY STAR, USGBC’s LEED and ILFI Living Building Challenge standards. Recently WBI completed construction of the R.W Kern Center at Hampshire College and The Hitchcock Center for the Environment also on the Hampshire Campus. Both project are built to the Living Building Challenge standard.
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Christopher Nielson
Christopher is an architect with Bruner/Cott Architects. He is interested in design that builds community while addressing the impact of climate change. With a high level of expertise in construction technology, community outreach, and high-performance design, Christopher leads project teams to identify common goals and specific solutions. Most recently, Christopher managed the R.W. Kern Center project at Hampshire College, now pursing the Living Building Challenge. A natural teacher, Christopher has lectured at The University of Oregon, Middlebury College, Hampshire College, and The Boston Architectural College. He has presented at NESEA, AASHE, and GreenBuild on topics ranging from net zero water and energy design, to leveraging BIM technology for the creation of photorealistic images. Currently, Christopher serves as a committee member on the Climate Action Protection Committee for the city of Cambridge.
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Marc Rosenbaum
Marc Rosenbaum, P.E., is a longtime student of making great buildings. He uses an integrated systems design approach to help people create buildings and communities connected to the natural world, supporting both personal and planetary health. Much of his recent work has been net-zero energy buildings, deep energy retrofits, and Passive Houses. His work has been recognized nationally by ASHRAE, AIA, EEBA, and NESEA, but they didn’t see all the mistakes along the way.
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Retrocommissioning Works
Commercial, Commercial- John Grosvenor, Vermont Historical Society
- Eveline Killian, Cx Associates
- Daniel Tushus-Dubrow, Cx Associates
- Chris Vintinner, Distech Controls Inc.
Retrocommissioning is a whole building approach that seeks to improve how building equipment and systems function together. The mechanism of this work is to focus on the opportunities found through the building automation system (BAS), which has become a feature of not just large but also medium-sized and even small buildings. Retrocommissioning is not a capital improvement project that identifies equipment replacement. Improvements are typically low-cost or no-cost items that correct operational deficiencies such as control sequences and sensor calibration; this can make a huge difference in the building’s energy consumption and the occupants’ comfort level. Cx Associates and Control Technologies have implemented a retrocommissioning project at the Vermont Historical Society in Barre, Vermont, and have been following the results since May 2017. This presentation will cover the process, the pitfalls, the impact, and the persistence of the benefits, with input from the client.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
John Grosvenor
John Grosvenor is currently the finance director of the Vermont Historical Society and has lived in Cabot and worked in that capacity for other mission-based organizations for over 25 years, including the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, High Mowing Seeds, and Hunger Mountain Coop. He has a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College in environmental studies and government.
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Eveline Killian
Eveline Killian is an architectural engineer with over 20 years’ experience in commercial and industrial project management and energy analysis. She has extensive experience in energy-efficient building design and operation, efficiency program design and implementation, and measurement and verification of energy efficiency measures. She has performed retrocommissioning of existing buildings as well as new construction commissioning and has calibrated energy models on large commercial and institutional buildings. She has managed the Vermont Forward Capacity Market and the NYSERDA new construction program evaluation engineering teams on the M&V and data analysis for over five years.
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Daniel Tushus-Dubrow
Daniel Tuhus-Dubrow, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, BEMP, EIT, is a mechanical engineer focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs in buildings. He has over 10 years of experience in energy auditing and retrocommissioning activities, including several for Local Law 87 (New York City) and Executive Order 88 (New York State) compliance as well as throughout New England. He has experience with LEED certification, energy modeling, and energy efficiency design and measure implementation verification.
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Chris Vintinner
Chris Vintinner is a sales support engineer for Distech Controls Inc., where he is driven to make the built environment smarter, more comfortable, and more energy efficient. Chris has worked closely with building owners, operators, and engineers in commissioning, retrocommissioning, and building retuning projects. He is experienced in both the design and optimization of intelligent building systems including lighting, HVAC, and building data analytics.
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Healthy Buildings for Everyone: Tapping into Biology to Grow the Next Generation of Buildings
Healthy Homes, Both Residential and Commercial- Eric Correy Freed, organicARCHITECT
The way buildings are constructed has remained relatively unchanged for nearly 200 years. The $9 trillion a year global construction industry is responsible for nearly 60% of climate change emissions, a third of landfill waste, and a shocking array of negative health effects. Even the most advanced construction projects in the world continue to use antiquated techniques of modular assembly, relying on painstaking human effort. Construction is driven by standards and codes to ensure economy and safety, but the process fails to protect people from larger risks. In 2016, the XPRIZE Foundation set out to establish a “moonshot” for construction by creating the XPRIZE for Healthy Buildings. In this session, learn how one team approached this unique opportunity to develop a way to (literally) grow buildings by fusing synthetic biology, genomics, parametric modeling, and 3D printing to create a paradigm shift that could switch us from a PETROchemical world, to a BIOchemical one.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Eric Correy Freed
Eric Corey Freed is founding principal of organicARCHITECT, a visionary design leader in biophilic and regenerative design. Eric is the author of 11 books, including Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies (For Dummies, 2007). In 2012, his business was named one of the 25 “Best Green Architecture Firms” in the U.S., and he was named one of 10 influential green architects. He also holds a prestigious LEED Fellow award from the U.S. Green Building Council.
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Theory and Practice for Attics and Cathedral Roof Slopes in Cold Climates
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Henri Fennell, HC Fennell Consulting, LLC
This session will describe the procedures for diagnosing and correcting insulation and air leakage in attics and cathedral roof slopes, including an overview of the related ventilation issues. Pros and cons of vented and unvented designs will be covered as methods for eliminating problems in advance, or as methods of eliminating problems by changing from one to the other. Presenters will address diagnostic methods and how to prioritize remediation work to maximize return on investment during the presentation of several case studies. The implications of the problems addressed in this process can also be applied to the design and construction of new buildings. Additional program topics will include strategic air sealing (SAS), the use of temperature monitoring in diagnosing and remediating air barrier failures, best practices for avoiding problems in structural foam roof panel installations, and conceptual strategies for approaching ice dam prevention and remediation.
Presentation(s):
- Theory and Practice for Attics and Cathedral Roof Slopes in Cold Climates (presentation)
- Theory and Practice for Attics and Cathedral Roof Slopes in Cold Climates (paper)
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Henri Fennell
Henri Fennell is a building envelope specialist and architect with 45 years of experience in energy conservation design, manufactured products, and services. His experience has included working as an architect and as a building envelope remediation and commissioning consultant. Henri’s major historic projects include the Guggenheim Museum. He has designed several new micro-load buildings, including a cutting-edge net-zero energy research structure in Antarctica. He holds four energy-related U.S. patents, and is often cited in articles related to energy conservation and building performance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Update on Lighting Standards That Impact Product and System Efficiency and Performance in Vermont and Elsewhere
Lighting, Commercial- Howard Wolfman, Lumispec Consulting
Traditionally, lighting products and systems have been a slow-moving technology with incremental improvements in efficiency and performance. As LED products and systems have ascended to take over the lighting market, however, their efficiency and performance have reached unprecendented levels and opened new doors of opportunity. This presentation will highlight the rigorous standards development process used in LED product and system standards development; current levels of lighting product and system performance; and issues involving horticultural applications, human-centric design (light and health), flicker, ANSI lighting systems, and DesignLights Consortium Networked Lighting Control systems.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Howard Wolfman
Howard Wolfman, P.E., has a career that spans decades of engineering and technical work with an emphasis on both creative and strategic thinking. In 2008, he started Lumispec Consulting, whose clients include many lighting manufacturers, government bodies, and nonprofit organizations. His current activities include serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Engineering. Howard also has served on many U.S., Canadian, and international standards development bodies and has received numerous awards. He has served as a member of several Lightfair International Innovation Awards selection committees. Howard holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering and an MBA.
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Why Invest in Building Controls?
Commercial, Commercial- Peter Hooper, State of Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services
- Mary Jane Poynter, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This presentation will explain how investing in building-wide or campus-wide controls is superior to investing in individual components. Builders can gain more savings from the installation of an efficiency component when thinking more broadly about how the control could be used (for example, having the occupancy sensors that control office lights also send a signal to the DDC system to adjust either the heating/cooling unit or the ventilation). Companies that have more than one site can track performance across multiple buildings with minimal resource investment by the company using a SCADA, or supervisory control and data acquisition, system. This presentation will lay out three options for data collection and controls integration: good, better, and best, for companies of all sizes in Vermont.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Hooper
Peter Hooper is an electrical engineer and project manager with the State of Vermont’s Energy Office. He works primarily in project development and oversight work, including the planning, completion and verification of energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy projects. Prior to working at the State of Vermont, Peter was employed by Northern Power Systems where he worked on the development and installation of utility scale wind turbines. He holds an B.S. in electrical engineering from Norwich University.
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Mary Jane Poynter
Mary Jane Poynter is a senior energy consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. She specializes in commercial, governmental, industrial, and multifamily building energy projects, working primarily with Efficiency Vermont and DC Sustainability Energy Utilities. A 20-year veteran of the energy efficiency industry, she has worked on projects across the spectrum of new construction and renovation, and in the affordable housing market. Mary Jane is a certified energy manager, a certified master gardener, and a 17-year member of her local ASHRAE chapter. She holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota.
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Integrative Carbon Building: Embodied Carbon, Net Positive Carbon, and the New Carbon Architecture
Envelope, Both Residential and Commercial- Chris Magwood, Endeavour Centre
- Ace McArleton, New Framworks Natural Design/Build, LLC
- Jacob Rascusin, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build, LLC
Buildings’ global carbon impact, and hence our responsibility, is massive: Buildings are responsible for 39–49% of emissions globally. We have made great strides in green building in terms of addressing operational energy consumption (the energy buildings use during their operation), yet our current framework for net-zero energy buildings doesn’t account for the carbon pollution created during the manufacturing and distribution of the materials used for green buildings, known as embodied energy. In this session, we will show how systems thinking about carbon and an integrated design approach can change building practices from being a problem to being a solution. We will present data on the impact of the embodied carbon of green buildings; address how to quantify embodied carbon in design/build practices; and discuss present-day carbon-positive construction materials and assemblies, which can reduce the carbon load in the atmosphere, effectively using buildings as carbon-sequestering reservoirs. This can mitigate and even reverse climate change effects. Understanding the carbon cycle, and how we as design/build practitioners can make beneficial choices in our designs, is the next horizon for integrative green building.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Magwood
Chris Magwood is obsessed with making energy-efficient, beautiful, and inspiring buildings without wrecking the planet. He co-founded Camel’s Back Construction and has designed or built many homes and commercial buildings, mostly with straw bale technology and renewable energy systems. Chris has authored multiple books on sustainable construction methods, including Essential Sustainable Home Design (New Society Publishers, 2017). Chris is director, curriculum developer, and instructor at the Endeavour Centre in Ontario, Canada. He has won numerous design and teaching awards, including a Home Sweet Home Award for Affordable Housing. He is currently finishing his Master's degree with a thesis about regulation of embodied carbon for buildings.
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Ace McArleton
Ace McArleton founded New Frameworks Natural Design/Build in 2006 to offer green remodeling and new construction services, blending natural building materials and methods with high-performance design. Ace teaches in the Natural Building certificate program at the Yestermorrow School, is co-author of The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), and led his business’s conversion to a worker cooperative in 2016. Ace is passionate about finding practical, regional solutions to build healthy, just communities now and into the future.
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Jacob Rascusin
Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks Natural Design/Build, offering green remodeling, new construction, consultation, and education featuring natural building technologies. Through his work as a designer, builder, consultant, and educator, Jacob is able to merge his passions for fine craft, ecological stewardship, relationship to place, and social justice. Jacob is program director of the certificate in building science and net-zero design at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a BPI-certified contractor and certified Passive House consultant. Jacob wrote Essential Building Science (New Society, 2016), and The Natural Building Companion (Chelsea Green, 2012), which he co-authored with Ace McArleton.
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Hydronic Solutions for Low-energy Homes (3-Hour Extended Session Continued)
Healthy Homes, Both Residential and Commercial- John Siegenthaler, Appropriate Designs
Energy codes continue to lower design heating loads. Given these low loads, advocates of low-energy house construction often view hydronic heating as unnecessary. The North American hydronics industry should not concede to the ductless mini-split industry when it comes to keeping occupants comfortable in low-energy-use houses. This extended session will show how hydronic systems can be tailored to the specific needs of low-energy houses including heating, domestic hot water supply, and even cooling. These solutions offer the benefits of improved comfort, lower distribution energy use, accommodation of many energy sources (both conventional and renewable), and long system life.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
John Siegenthaler
John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a licensed professional engineer, and professor emeritus of engineering technology at Mohawk Valley Community College. “Siggy” has over 35 years of experience in designing hydronic systems. He is a member of the Radiant Panel Association Hall of Fame and principal of Appropriate Designs, a consulting engineering firm. He is the author of two textbooks: Modern Hydronic Heating (Delmar Cengage Learning; 3rd ed., 2011), and Heating with Renewable Energy (Delmar Cengage Learning, 2016). He has worked closely with NYSERDA on implementation of hydronic-based biomass heating systems.
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Keys to Understanding and Expanding the Market for High-performance, Healthy Homes
Healthy Homes, Both Residential and Commercial- Peter Troast, Energy Circle
The term high-performance home can mean many things to a consumer looking to build or retrofit an existing home, especially in a growing marketplace of recognizable brands and certifications, such as Passive House, net zero, and others. During this session, the presenter will review how consumers identify the high-performance home, take a close look at what statistics exist on who exactly is buying, and discuss how to reach the most likely buyers in the sustainable building arena. He will review search data in aggregate for the energy efficiency industry, helping unpack the homeowner mindset about trending topics like Passive House, healthy homes, and general green building. The presenter will also cover the foundations of building a brand and online presence that is user-centric and compliant with best practices for maximizing a company’s presence in the digital sphere. Participants will walk away with a few strategies for ensuring that their site is designed for lead generation and customer acquisition.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Troast
Peter Troast is recognized as one of the country’s foremost authorities on marketing for home performance, HVAC, and other efficiency-related contracting companies. He and his team work with over 350 companies in 49 states to grow their business through services like website design and development, search engine optimization, lead generation, and strategic content production. He is a popular and high-ranking speaker about marketing for builders and contractors at ACI, RESNET, ACCA, BPI, and EGIA conferences and events. In 2015, Peter received the Tony Woods Award for excellence in advancing the home performance industry.
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Lighting Design for the Health-conscious Homeowner — How LEDs Compare with Halogen
Lighting, Residential- Donna Leban, Light/Space/Design
Homebuyers interested in building or renovating a modern, healthy home are also interested in healthy lighting. How do you make this part of an integrated design rather than an afterthought? What exactly is meant by “healthy lighting”? How do LED light sources compare with halogen in this arena? In this session, we will discuss various concerns people may have read about in magazines and newspapers involving visual color spectrum, color rendering, color temperature, daylighting, low voltage, EMFs, and more. We’ll discuss what the known health effects are and how these issues can be addressed with LEDs in residential lighting design. This talk will be based on a case study in which much research was done in satisfying the owner’s strict requirements for healthy lighting. The participants in this discussion will be rewarded with a wealth of new knowledge about using LEDs in beautiful and innovative ways that bring lighting design to the forefront in new home design.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Donna Leban
Donna Leban is an NCQLP certified lighting designer. Licensed as an architect in 1982, she practiced in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and moved to Vermont to help develop Green Mountain Power’s first energy efficiency programs. With one foot in the engineering world and the other in the creative world of lighting, Donna offers lighting design and consulting services to architects, homeowners, businesses, and municipal clients. She also provides professional development seminars and technical review, conducts training courses, and has written a book and articles on lighting for professional publications. Donna holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and an M.S. in advanced building studies from Carnegie-Mellon University.
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Real-Life Air Source Heat Pump Performance Testing—Results and Reasons
Building Systems, Residential- Bruce Harley, Bruce Harley Energy Consulting
There’s been a dramatic increase in recent years in the use of ductless (and ducted) air-source heat pumps in the Northeast. This session will provide an opportunity to learn about cold climate heat pumps from an expert in HVAC and building science. In this session, we’ll look at the results of some recent field research, including the presenter’s own house, as well as ongoing codes and standards work related to heat pump efficiency. We’ll discuss a range of heat pump applications, installation practices that affect efficiency, and some key issues and resources to consider when specifying and sizing heat pumps. This session will include plenty of time for questions and answers, so if you have heat pump experiences or issues you’d like to make sense of, please bring them along.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Bruce Harley
Bruce Harley is a recognized expert on energy-efficient residential construction and retrofit. His three decades of experience include hands-on diagnostics, retrofit, and installation of homes and HVAC systems; teaching building science; developing energy software and savings models; and contributing to technical policy and standards development. Known for his ability to provide complex information in an engaging and understandable style, he has authored the acclaimed books Insulate and Weatherize (Taunton Press, 2012) and Cut Your Energy Bills Now (Taunton Press, 2008), along with numerous articles. Bruce is currently an independent consultant, and was previously technical director of the Applied Building Science group at CSG and CLEAResult.
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Steps to Take Deep Energy Retrofits to Net Zero
Building Systems, Residential- John Call, Home Energy, Inc.
Deep energy retrofits are the poor stepchild of net-zero homes. The same concepts apply although the conditions for each home differ. This session will apply the concepts to three homes built from 1900 to the present. Each home presented different control layer challenges, such as fieldstone foundations and pine board sheathing. The presenters will discuss how to take a deep energy retrofit home to net zero with renewable energy. They will present solar, air source and ground source heat pump, and heat pump hot water options.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
John Call
John J. Call is the president of Home Energy, Inc. He is the principal owner of the business, which was established in 1980. His company built its first energy-efficient home in 1985. Since then, it has built several net-zero homes and performed several deep energy retrofits. John has been installing PV, ground source, and air source heat pumps since 2008. He holds a B.A. in history and political science from Bridgewater State College.
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Establishing a Solid Project Foundation through an Inclusive OPR Process—Lessons from the Field
Commercial, Commercial- Jennifer Chiodo, Cx Associates
- L. David Keelty, University of Vermont Medical Center
The owner’s project requirements (OPR) define the goals for construction projects. Whether it is a new building, a remodel, or a system upgrade, defining the objectives up front for the team helps to ensure project success. Learn all about the OPR document in this interactive session led by professionals experienced in the development and deployment of OPRs on large and small construction projects. The session will cover what an OPR is, its roots in commissioning and LEED, why it is important, how it is used, and details of the OPR development process. Audience participation will be encouraged as we jointly craft an OPR for a conference room meeting space. Participants will receive a sample OPR based on their input two weeks after the session.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Jennifer Chiodo
Jennifer Chiodo is a principal of Cx Associates, an engineering consulting firm that improves energy performance for commercial and industrial facilities through energy analysis, strategy recommendation, and implementation and verification of savings. She has over 30 years of experience creating and managing new approaches to energy efficiency in the business sector. She has fostered the growth of Cx Associates into both a widely recognized leader with deep knowledge of buildings and energy use and a socially responsible business that puts people and the planet ahead of profits. She is engaged in addressing global warming through her professional work and through volunteer roles.
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L. David Keelty
Dave Keelty, BS, CEM, CHFM, CHC is the Director Facilities Planning and Development, University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont where he is responsible for sustainable new construction and major renovation projects across the hospital campus as well as in over 30 ancillary facilities. He has over 40 years of experience in Health Care Facilities Management, Real Estate Development and Health Care Construction. He has pioneered the use of the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) document to obtain end user input, ensuring his design and construction teams have a guide book detailing the needs of the people who will use, clean, and maintain construction projects after they are built. Mr. Keelty has presented at ASHE, VHES, Better Buildings by Design, and NEHES on Energy to Care and Sustainable Design and Construction.
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Inherent Environmental Advantages of Town Living and the Role of the Burlington 2030 District
Commercial, Commercial- Jenna Antonino-Dimare, Burlington 2030 District
- Jennifer Green, Burlington 2030 District
- Curt McCormack, Vermont House of Representatives
- Gretchen Schimelpfenig, Cx Associates
The Burlington 2030 District is working to reduce building energy consumption, water usage, and transportation emissions by 50%. By establishing the business case for these reductions, the district aims to increase owners’ asset value, reduce operating costs, and create a healthier environment. This presentation will describe how the district is working to achieve these goals, including the management and structure of the district, and how it connects with the wider 2030 district movement. This presentation will also serve to encourage other communities to create their own 2030 district, and join the wider 2030 Districts Network, a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization made up of the established 2030 districts throughout the world. The organization’s vision is to establish a thriving network of high-performance building districts and cities, uniting communities to catalyze transformation in the built environment and the role it plays in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Presentation(s):
- Inherent Environmental Advantages of Town Living and the Role of the Burlington 2030 District - Antonino-Dimare
- Inherent Environmental Advantages of Town Living and the Role of the Burlington 2030 District - McCormack
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Jenna Antonino-Dimare
Jenna serves as Burlington's 2030 District Director. In said capacity, Jenna is responsible for strategic planning, coordination with and support to the Burlington 2030 District Steering Committee, oversight of the Energy Star Portfolio Manager Benchmarking Process and general oversight of the City's 2030 direction and progress. Jenna also serves as the Director of the Vermont Green Building Network. She holds a Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Cornell University and a BA from Brown University, where she studied ecological design and environmental policy. She also is principal and founder of Elegant Ecology | Landscape Design and Environmental Planning. She previously served as the Landscape Designer and Project Coordinator for National Gardening Association.
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Jennifer Green
Jennifer Green staffs the City of Burlington’s Sustainability Program, including oversight of the Climate Action Plan and work on BED’s net-zero energy strategy. Based in the Burlington Electric Department, Jennifer has over 30 years of community development experience. She has worked in gender equity, national environmental planning, and environmental management with the Peace Corps, CARE International, and the World Resources Institute. In addition to working for the City, Jennifer teaches sustainable development courses at the University of Vermont. She has a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University and earned her Ph.D. in environmental sociology from American University.
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Curt McCormack
Curt McCormack was a member of the Vermont House in the 1980s and 1990s representing Rutland. Since 2013 he has represented Burlington’s Old North End and downtown in the House. He has chaired the Natural Resources and Energy Committee and the Joint Committee on Energy; he is the co-chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee. Curt is a LEED-certified environmental consultant and master electrician. Clients have included USAID, the Peace Corps, the State of Vermont, and the City of Burlington. His work includes environmental operations assessments, energy audits, and solid waste system design.
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Gretchen Schimelpfenig
Gretchen Schimelpfenig, P.E., serves as the Burlington 2030 District’s project engineer. In this role, Gretchen provides technical expertise to the steering committee and property owner members. She provides building benchmarking services and develops technical resources, works directly with members to help them take action on energy efficiency opportunities, and supports the district director in strategic planning and progress reporting. Gretchen is also an engineer at Cx Associates, a building commissioning firm providing energy efficiency consulting services to commercial building projects across New England. Gretchen received her M.S. in civil engineering from Stanford University and her B.S. in architectural engineering from the University of Wyoming.
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Are We There Yet? Air-to-water Heat Pumps and the Journey to Whole Building Renewable Heating
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Jake Marin, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
People in the Northeast are excited about air-to-water heat pumps—for good reason. The majority of our homes are heated with boilers and delivered hot water. Interest in heat pumps is growing rapidly as cold climate options increase in availability. The vast majority of the heat pump installations to date have been ductless. In parallel to the growing popularity of ductless mini-split heat pumps, many in our region are looking for a whole building heat pump solution that utilizes their existing hydronic distribution. Despite the excitement surrounding air-to-water heat pumps, however, the technology has not taken off here the way it has in other parts of the world. This presentation tells the story of this technology: what is holding it back from success, products currently on the market, and what we can expect to see in the future. For those not quite ready to take the leap, we will also discuss how to design your hydronic system to be air-to-water ready at little to no additional cost.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Jake Marin
Jake Marin is the program manager for HVAC and refrigeration at VEIC/Efficiency Vermont. He developed Vermont’s first heat pump program and has continued to develop programs and guidelines for the entire Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region through his collaboration with NEEP. During the last few years of tracking equipment performance and the diversity of offerings, he has seen the technology improving by leaps and bounds. Although ductless mini-splits get the most attention, there is tremendous potential for air-to-water heat pumps in Vermont given the state’s large concentration of hydronic distribution. Jake is excited to bring this new information to the thriving BBD community.
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Sustainable Heating with Automated Wood Pellet Boilers
Building Systems, Both Residential and Commercial- Jeffrey Rubin, Sustainable Heating Outreach & Education, Inc.
- Emma Hanson, Vermont State Wood Energy Coordinator
Get the tools to communicate effectively with your clients who are interested in renewable energy. This presentation will compare and contrast the environmental implications of the best heating options, with particular emphasis on wood pellet boilers. We will take a deep dive into behavioral economics, and discuss the real motivations behind people’s green energy choices. This discussion has implications for your business in the new green energy economy. Many clients arrive at the process with preconceptions about their energy choices; this session will help you add effectively to that conversation.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Jeffrey Rubin
After 30 years of running an ad agency, Jeffrey Rubin decided it was time to switch gears and pay it forward. Over the past 10 years, his core project has been to solve the puzzle of increasing market awareness for wood pellet boilers, an industry in which he has both worked professionally and volunteered countless hours. Rubin was drawn to this cause because of its potential to reduce CO2 emissions, protect forests, and create economic resiliency. He founded Sustainable Heating Outreach & Education, Inc., together with a team of industry, branding, and financial experts with the mission of creating a grassroots environmental movement.
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Emma Hanson
Emma Hanson brings a diverse background in sales, communications, and environmental policy to the world of wood energy. She believes that wood energy represents great opportunities in job creation, renewable energy, and preservation, all of which are key to its success. After three years of working with the forestry and agricultural communities in Vermont, Emma is excited to bring practical, customer-level information to attendees that they can implement in their work. She holds an M.S. in agriculture, food, and environmental policy from Tufts University in Boston.
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Is Your Home Making You Sick and Tired?
Healthy Homes, Residential- Ty Newell, Build Equinox
Too many building professionals are designing and constructing homes that sacrifice human health and well-being in order to save energy. This session will discuss how smart ventilation systems can efficiently and automatically maintain excellent indoor air quality. Multiple modes of operation are required for efficient smart ventilation operation. Carbon dioxide, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and particulates are not effectively managed by passive control in today’s high-performance homes. The energy cost of fresh air ventilation in relation to the cost impact on human health and productivity is very low. Field data will be presented that demonstrates the effectiveness of smart ventilation in several homes located in varying climatic regions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Ty Newell
Ty is a co-owner and co-founder of Build Equinox, which manufactures the CERV smart ventilation system for residences. He retired from the University of Illinois as an assistant dean in the College of Engineering and is an emeritus professor of mechanical engineering. Ty has lectured around the world on indoor air quality, comfort, solar energy, building energy efficiency, and resource conservation. He has been a Fulbright Scholar in Argentina and an Ercoftac Scholar in Switzerland. Ty lives in a 100% solar-powered home that includes automated fresh air control and rainwater harvesting. Build Equinox is located in a 4,500-square-foot facility that is also 100% solar powered.
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Smart Buildings and Connected Lighting—the Perfect Partnership?
Lighting, Commercial- John O'Connell , Philips Lighting
IoT, IP convergence, SMART—whatever the terminology, next-generation buildings are now a reality. A range of IP-enabled applications are available, so the challenge for business is understanding how best to design and implement the right solution. In this session, Philips will share its view on smart buildings and digitization, and how IoT and lighting are delivering additional value for end users and clients, with value beyond illumination through connected lighting. The presentation will include new use cases, project case studies, information about the technology that can make this a reality, and an exploration of the future potential.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
John O'Connell
John O’Connell is the director of end user sales at Philips Lighting. John positions Philips’s smart building technologies to the office, industry, and healthcare vertical markets.
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Efficient Pumping Systems: Costs and Cost Effectiveness
Building Systems, Both Residential Commercial- Stephen Putnam, Grundfos Pump Corporation
Pumping systems account for nearly 20% of the world’s electrical energy consumption, but are often overlooked as an opportunity to cut energy consumption and costs. Many users of pumping systems are using old technology and thus unnecessarily overpaying in energy and maintenance costs. Using common terminology and metrics facilities use to a define cost effective project, this presentation will illustrate a typical case study that can be found in almost any building in Vermont. We will look at how the controlling ability of the pump will affect the annual costs and life cycle cost of ownership as well as how Efficiency Vermonts’ incentive programs can impact the cost effectiveness of a pump replacement project. No need to be a pump expert (or technically savvy) as this will not cover pump theory but rather we will show you how to uncover major energy and cost savings opportunities you may have never before considered.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Stephen Putnam
In 2011, Stephen Putnam joined the Grundfos commercial buildings competency center as an applications engineer managing large-scale pumping projects. In 2015, Stephen became the inaugural member of the Grundfos utility engagement team, working with electric utilities across North America on the implementation of efficient pumping system incentive programs. Currently, he is the national accounts manager for the Grundfos domestic buildings team, managing relationships with national wholesalers. Stephen holds a degree in economics and business from the Virginia Military Institute. He is also an executive MBA candidate at the College of William & Mary.
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Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on the Viability of Highly Energy-efficient Homes: A Case Study of Alaska
Envelope, Residential- Yasmeen Hossain, University of Alaska Fairbanks
This presentation will explore historical and contemporary perspectives on the viability of highly energy-efficient homes in a cold climate region. The case studies used in this presentation are all situated in Alaska. The Alaskan climate is on the extreme end of the spectrum, allowing for the research findings to be adapted to other cold climate regions of the world. The first part of the session will consist of a historical survey of Alaskan homes from pre-contact dwellings to modern homes. Some of the pre-contact homes’ energy efficiency features have been reintroduced in some modern homes, such as a low ratio of square feet to occupant. Following this exploration, the contemporary motivations and barriers to building and owning highly energy-efficient homes are explored. The data was gathered through interviews conducted with homeowners of highly energy-efficient homes and other stakeholders in the building, real estate, and financing industry.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, PHIUS
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Yasmeen Hossain
Yasmeen Hossain recently received her Ph.D. in sustainable development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her expertise is in energy-efficient, sustainable buildings, specifically the role buildings can play in climate change mitigation and adaptation. She has been a research consultant at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, the Solar Power Electric Association, and the World Bank. She also worked in the solar power industry in utility-scale solar. Yasmeen holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.
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Basic Building Science
Building Systems, Both Residential & Commercial- Dave Keefe, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
The physics behind the behavior of our buildings is known as “building science.” To make the buildings work, we need to control the flow of heat, air, and moisture. This session reviews some basic science we learned in school and explains how it applies to buildings. This knowledge is critical for diagnosing existing problems or avoiding new ones. And it’s more important than ever in material selection. We’ll cover the ways that heat, air, and moisture move around in buildings and how we can either encourage or reduce that flow. Some examples of common performance problems will be given, and there will be suggestions for approaches that minimize risk. No prior knowledge is needed for this introductory session.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Dave Keefe
Dave is a former contractor and a well-known teacher who has presented more than 1000 training sessions on a wide range of efficiency topics. He has 32 years of experience with making homes work better. In 2011, he was honored by ACI, Inc. as one of “the 25 most instrumental people in building the home performance industry”. Dave is a frequent speaker at national conferences and has provided training for numerous organizations, including the Energy-Efficient Building Association, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Professional Association for Consumer Energy Education, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), DOE Utah Regional Low-Income Weatherization Conference, Indiana CAP Directors Association, Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency, Governor's Energy Office of New Hampshire, Vermont Gas Systems, CAP Executive Directors' Association of New Jersey, and over 200 presentations for Affordable Comfort, Inc.
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Reducing Cost and Complexity with Advanced Lighting Controls
Building Systems, Commercial- Gabe Arnold, DesignLights Consortium
Advanced lighting controls (ALCs) are not what they used to be. Along with having new capabilities, many new systems are less expensive and easier to design, install, commission, and use than ever before. This course will provide an overview of the different types of ALC systems, from traditional to new and innovative. We will compare and contrast the cost and complexity of each type while providing guidance and tools for selecting the right system for a given customer and application.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP, Passive House
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Gabe Arnold
Gabe Arnold is a program manager at the DesignLights Consortium (DLC), where he leads the DLC’s commercial advanced lighting controls (CALC) project. This new DLC project is working with utilities, the U.S. DOE, and the lighting industry to create a suite of tools and resources that will support the widespread adoption of advanced lighting controls. Gabe has more than 17 years’ experience in the energy-efficient lighting industry as a designer, utility program implementer, and consultant, including 10 years at Efficiency Vermont. He is a registered professional engineer and is lighting certified by the NCQLP (National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions). Gabe lives with his family in Burlington, Vermont.
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Cost-effective Strategies for Net Zero and Resilient Design
Innovative Design, Residential- Joseph Cincotta, LineSync Architecture
- Steve Davis, Vermod Homes
- Peter Schneider, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
In this session, we will present complementary economical construction strategies designed to save energy in a cost-effective manner, based on the unique experiences of the presenters. Examples will include empirically tested section details along with mistakes to avoid. We will also offer a wealth of information from a unique solar-powered HVAC system co-developed with Efficiency Vermont energy consultant Peter Schneider. There will be a concise explanation of the main concepts from the presenters and then a Q & A discussion session.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Joseph Cincotta
Joseph Cincotta was born taking the road less traveled. He is the “Cinc” of LineSync Architecture (LSA), which he co-founded with his wife and partner, Julie Lineberger. It’s grown to be one of the 10 largest architecture firms in the state. LSA was doing green three decades ago when green was just a color. He teaches sustainable design at Southern Vermont College and has lectured extensively on the topic. LEED accredited, he holds the NCARB certificate and is licensed in Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. Joseph earned a degree in architecture history and theory from SUNY Binghamton and a graduate degree in design from Harvard University. His LSA accomplishments include Eden, a mixed-use straw-bale building in New England, and D’Home, quite likely the first open-cell foam panel insulated geodesic dome in New England.
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Steve Davis
Steve Davis is a Hartford-based developer and lifelong community advocate. He has been building high-performance homes since the early 2000s and was named Efficiency Vermont’s Partner of the Year in 2012. Steve founded Vermod in the post–Hurricane Irene Vermont, when the state lost many trailer homes. Vermod had a unique vision: What if folks were able to replace their energy-inefficient trailers with tightly insulated, net-zero powered homes that were actually affordable? A Vermod home is a spacious, well-engineered product unlike anything else in the market.
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Peter Schneider
Peter Schneider works as a senior consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation in Burlington, Vermont. He provides technical support to builders, architects, engineers, affordable housing agencies, and homeowners participating in a number of different programs, such as Efficiency Vermont Certified High-Performance Homes, LEED for Homes, and Midrise & Passive House. Peter’s goal is to help his clients design and construct more energy-efficient, healthy, durable, and sustainable buildings. Peter is a certified energy rater, Passive House consultant, and LEED for Homes quality assurance designee. His current focus is running the State’s mobile home replacement program.
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Drawing on the Past, Designing the Future
Commercial, Commercial- Andrea Murray, Vermont Integrated Architecture, P.C.
- Ashar Nelson, Vermont Integrated Architecture, P.C.
Vermont is known for its historic buildings. Many of these have not been touched in decades and have no insulation; feature leaky, rickety, and beautiful old windows; and have antiquated heating systems. As lifelong Vermonters, the presenters are committed to preserving this heritage and making these buildings relevant for future use. The presenters’ firm has assessed several local historic structures, including the Janes House in Waterbury, the Slade Hall at the University of Vermont, the Cornwall Town Hall, and the Rochester Public Library. This presentation will cover a variety of construction types; approaches to envelope design; and the careful balance between performance, structure, and the preservation of important artifacts. The presenters will share their experiences working with the State Division for Historic Preservation, Efficiency Vermont, energy consultants, and others to find the best solution to sustaining our well-loved buildings.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Andrea Murray
Andrea K. Murray is an architect, planner, and LEED accredited professional who co-founded Vermont Integrated Architecture, P.C., in 2011. Andrea focuses her professional energies on integrating sustainable and healthy design strategies into buildings and their respective communities. Andrea teaches Introduction to Architectural Design, and Architecture and the Environment at Middlebury College. She was the lead faculty advisor to Middlebury’s 2011 and 2013 Solar Decathlon teams. Andrea grew up in Rochester, Vermont, and moved home in 2003 from New York, where she had worked on various projects with William McDonough + Partners, Flynn-Stott Architects, and the City of New York. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Pratt Institute.
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Ashar Nelson
Ashar Nelson is a lifelong Vermonter with extensive experience in design and construction. As co-founder of Vermont Integrated Architecture, occasional faculty member in the architectural studies program at Middlebury College, and faculty advisor to Middlebury College's Solar Decathlon efforts in 2011 and 2013, he is committed to promoting sustainable building designs and innovative construction methods. Ashar believes that an integrated design process, representing building users, constructors, estimators, and craftsmen, as well as design professionals, is essential in achieving high-performance buildings. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and a master’s degree from the University of Oregon. He has designed and managed projects both large and small. Ashar prides himself on helping his clients make well-informed decisions about energy and resource use in their buildings.
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Historic Museum Upgrade: Preservation and Dramatic Energy Cost Reduction
Envelope, Commercial- Steven Caulfield, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
- Bill Turner, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
From 2013 through 2015, the presenters had the opportunity to provide design and commissioning services for a solid masonry, century-old museum in Concord, New Hampshire. Through innovative retrofits of the naturally ventilated skylight system and replacement of the mechanical systems, energy costs were reduced over 80%, from $36,000 a year to $6,000 a year, and environmental control was vastly improved to meet museum standards. This session will present monitored energy use data, and examples of logged carbon dioxide data and fine particle data. We will present the constraints involved in preserving a historic building, as well as the decision-making process that resulted in a great finished product.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Steven Caulfield
Steven M. Caulfield is the president of Turner Building Science & Design, based in Harrison, Maine, and is also the president of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council. He has over 25 years of experience in mechanical engineering, industrial hygiene, and indoor air quality studies. Steve received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Hartford. He has designed, commissioned, and retrocommissioned a wide variety of innovative and traditional energy-efficient mechanical systems, solved building science and air quality problems, and conducted a variety of testing in all kinds of buildings and situations. Steve has presented numerous papers and talks at conferences held by ASHRAE, AIHA, ISIAQ, and ICBEST, as well as smaller regional conferences.
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Bill Turner
Bill Turner received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Northeastern University. He served for 10 years on the research staff of Harvard University School of Public Health, conducting air quality studies inside and outside homes in six cities evaluating secondhand smoke and gas appliances. Since then Bill has focused on building science, sustainability, and building forensic issues, including energy use, indoor air quality, moisture, high-performance building design, net-zero design, building commissioning, and forensic evaluations. His experience includes rebuilding existing homes and buildings and designing new buildings. He has published and lectured extensively throughout the United States.
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Three High-performance Homes, Three Approaches
Envelope, Residential- Jean Terwilliger, Vermont Integrated Architecture
- Alex Carver, Northern Timbers Construction
- Tom LeBoeuf, Northeast Craftsmen Group
This presentation will compare the design, construction, and performance of three Vermont high-performance homes completed in 2015 and 2016. All two-story buildings on small lots, these homes used a variety of construction systems to accommodate aesthetic, site, and builder considerations including a walk-out basement, slab-on-grade, traditional double-stud wall with cellulose insulation, double-stud with an air barrier behind the inner stud, exterior I-joist walls with cellulose and mineral wool insulation, and different window and vented roof systems. We will discuss how overall home designs met the interests and goals of the homeowners, the ease of construction, the cost and performance of the different envelope systems, and reasons to choose one system over the others.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Jean Terwilliger
Jean Terwilliger, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP Homes, CPHC, specializes in the design of sustainable buildings using collaborative design methods and cost-effective green building technologies. She has worked on several high-performance custom homes as well as the high-performance 14-unit Bristol Village Cohousing, and is looking forward to her first opportunity to complete a Passive House project. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Jean worked for firms in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont and spent several years raising two children before starting her own firm in 2003. She joined Vermont Integrated Architecture in 2014.
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Alex Carver
Alex Carver, co-owner of Northern Timbers Construction since 2004, has been a builder since 1985. Seven of his projects have received both AIA Vermont and AIA New England Awards. In 2013 Alex built a house designed and overseen by Passive House builder Chris Corson of Belfast, Maine. Since then Alex and his company have built several high-performance homes each year. He likes working with architects and building in the modern vernacular, with an eye toward affordability and energy efficiency. Alex was named Builder of the Year by Efficiency Vermont for his work on promoting high-performance homes and doing what he could to educate those around him.
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Tom LeBoeuf
Tom LeBoeuf has 15 years of construction experience and runs a full-service cabinet shop. He attended the University of Missouri–Saint Louis, worked in construction in Saint Louis, and moved to Vermont in 2008. He has experience in building science, project procurement, estimating, and project management, and as a foreman. He was with H.J. LeBoeuf & Son in Vergennes, Vermont, before launching his own business in the summer of 2016. Tom hit the Passive House airtightness target on his very first blower door test on a high-performance home in Middlebury. His company, Northeast Craftsmen Group, is a full-service building company and cabinet/millwork shop working on projects including historic restoration and contemporary estates. Its approach combines sustainable building practices with the most current construction techniques.
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Airtightness Testing of Larger Buildings
Envelope, Both Residential & Commercial- Dave Keefe, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This session is designed for those who already do blower door testing and want to be able to test larger buildings, including manufacturing, retail, and apartment buildings. We’ll cover the challenges posed, equipment, organization, setup, and measurements. Wind, access, occupants, and other "inconveniences" will also be covered. Attendees should be experienced with blower doors.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Dave Keefe
Dave is a former contractor and a well-known teacher who has presented more than 1000 training sessions on a wide range of efficiency topics. He has 32 years of experience with making homes work better. In 2011, he was honored by ACI, Inc. as one of “the 25 most instrumental people in building the home performance industry”. Dave is a frequent speaker at national conferences and has provided training for numerous organizations, including the Energy-Efficient Building Association, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Professional Association for Consumer Energy Education, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), DOE Utah Regional Low-Income Weatherization Conference, Indiana CAP Directors Association, Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency, Governor's Energy Office of New Hampshire, Vermont Gas Systems, CAP Executive Directors' Association of New Jersey, and over 200 presentations for Affordable Comfort, Inc.
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All of the Above: High Design and High Performance in Single-family Home Design
Innovative Design, Residential- Jesse Thompson, Kaplan Thompson Architects
- Colin Lindberg, Shelterwood Construction
How does good design enhance high performance, and how does the goal of high performance affect good design? We will discuss how project design and energy concerns work together and how they clash—and how the final outcome can perform against design and performance goals. Topics will include: 1) barriers to high design and high performance, 2) untapped design opportunities in high-performance construction systems, 3) ways to modify the design process to integrate thermal performance on an equal footing with design and structural considerations, 4) how local design culture affects design performance decisions and technical methods (e.g., California thin vs. New England thick), and 5) disengagement of surfaces from interiors with rainscreens, and the design possibilities available.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Jesse Thompson
Jesse Thompson is a partner at Kaplan Thompson Architects in Portland, Maine. He grew up in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (in Lyndonville) and received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon in 1996. He is a Maine licensed architect (NCARB), a board member of Maine AIA, a LEED accredited professional, and one of the first architects in northern New England to become a certified Passive House consultant.
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Colin Lindberg
Colin Lindberg, certified Passive House builder, is the owner of Shelterwood Construction, a residential construction firm focused on high-performance, energy-efficient building. His career has focused on building high-quality, long-lasting homes. Colin has a B.A. from Warren Wilson College (near Asheville, North Carolina) in outdoor leadership. His first career involved leading outdoor education trips all over North and South America. When it was time to get a real job, he turned to high-end carpentry and building. Shelterwood Construction is based in central Vermont. When Colin is not working or chasing his son around, you can find him on his mountain bike, surfboard, or snowboard, or climbing up a mountain.
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Lighting Control Systems Hands-on Workshop (Part 1)
Building Systems, Commercial- Steve Mesh, Lighting Education & Design
How do advanced lighting control systems really work? Find out by wiring one yourself, even if you’ve never wired anything in your life. Wiring a complex control system is not as hard as it sounds! In this workshop, attendees will help the presenter get a lighting control system up and running. We will wire, commission, and program a system including fixture controllers, occupancy sensors, photosensors, and switches. Learn about different transmission protocols, digital vs. analog signals, and much more. No prior wiring experience is necessary. All tools and materials will be supplied.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP, Passive House
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Steve Mesh
Steve Mesh attended Parsons School of Design and has been a lighting designer and educator for 36 years. He has designed the lighting for a wide variety of projects in the U.S. and internationally. He was the lighting program coordinator at the Pacific Energy Center in San Francisco. He’s a member of the IES and was previously the IES northeast regional vice president. For 25 years, he has served on the Energy Management Committee. He is an EPA Green Lights Program surveyor ally and has been an AIA registered provider. Steve was on the development team for the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program. He has been a contributing editor of Building Operating Management magazine. He’s given several workshops at Lightfair and has spoken at Lux Pacifica in New Delhi, India.
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New Indoor Air Quality Standards for Homes Based on Cognition, Health, Sleep, and Productivity
Building Systems, Residential- Ty Newell, Build Equinox
Today’s ventilation standards reduce human productivity and increase disease transmission. Sleep degradation due to poor air quality is reflected in poorer work performance the next day. Modern building materials submerge us in a variety of chemicals that didn’t exist 80 years ago. Improvement of today’s ventilation standards can increase human productivity at a value that’s more than 100 times the associated energy cost of increased ventilation. A new set of air quality metrics for residences based on health, cognition, sleep, and productivity will be presented. These metrics are based on research that relates human performance and health to carbon dioxide and VOC (volatile organic compound) levels. Quantitative results demonstrate that high-quality air can be achieved in combination with high energy efficiency.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Ty Newell
Ty Newell is a co-owner of Build Equinox, a company devoted to inventing technologies for sustainable living. He is an emeritus professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois. Ty lectures around the world on sustainable living, including giving keynote addresses at the Solar Energy Society of India’s Silver Jubilee and the TTMD Conference in Turkey. He has been a Fulbright Scholar in Argentina, an Ercoftac Scholar in Switzerland, a United Nations workshop leader in China, and an academic leader in Mexico. Ty’s 100% solar-powered home in Illinois features automated fresh air control (CERV) and two solar-powered electric vehicles, and is one of the earliest examples of a home within an Illinois municipality to be permitted for rainwater harvesting. Build Equinox is located in a 100% solar-powered, 4,500-square-foot Morton building.
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Sweating the (Enclosure) Details
Envelope, Both Residential & Commercial- Jon Haehnel, Zero by Degrees, LLC
- Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance, Inc.
- Michael LaCrosse, Zero by Degrees, LLC
Maintaining the thermal barrier, air barrier, vapor control plane, and water control plane through every building transition is challenging. In this presentation we will take a tour of some particularly elegant enclosure details, both on the page and in the field. We will also explore the process behind selecting materials to match their strengths with the overall design. Finally, we will present design guidelines that can be employed to break down a difficult enclosure detail so that a solution can present itself. This presentation is recommended for builders and designers who already have experience with building enclosure design and construction.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Jon Haehnel
Jon Haehnel has been testing and inspecting residential and commercial buildings for over 14 years. His expertise is in building envelope testing and design, focusing primarily on commercial and institutional construction. Jon has tested buildings as large as a city block in downtown Manhattan and as small as a nine-foot cube slated to go to Antarctica as an automated weather station. On both new construction and renovation, he has built energy models, reviewed construction documents, specified airtightness targets, trained project teams on how to reach the targets, and tested buildings through to completion to verify targets were met. Jon is a past presenter at Better Buildings by Design in 2013, 2014, and 2016.
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Andy Shapiro
Andrew Shapiro, president of Energy Balance, Inc., has provided high-performance building energy analysis, design, and monitoring consulting services for 30 years to a wide variety of clients, including owners, architects, engineers, builders, housing developers, universities, businesses, and efficiency programs. He provides guidance and technical expertise along the path of conceptualization, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy assessment, aimed at optimizing the environmental impact of the building, indoor environmental quality, operating and maintenance costs, and building durability. He works with new and existing buildings, from single-family homes up to larger commercial and institutional buildings. He is also the director of science and engineering education for the Vermont Energy Education Program, raising the energy literacy of the next generation.
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Michael LaCrosse
Michael LaCrosse has worked in the industry for about five years, after graduating from Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire, in 2012 with a degree in architecture and a focus on building science. With Zero by Degrees, Mike has broadened his experience into commercial and institutional construction. He has conducted and managed large-scale blower door tests on buildings as large as 70,000 square feet, tested and inspected dozens of building envelope details, performed whole building infrared scans, reviewed construction documents, and built energy models to predict energy savings and payback estimates on potential building improvements.
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Using Data to Measure Building Performance, Find Savings Opportunities, and Track Progress
Innovative Design, Both Residential & Commercial- Ethan Goldman, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Buildings are generating more data than ever, not only from smart meters but also from connected thermostats; energy management systems; and numerous other devices and systems that measure, control, and communicate over the Internet. This information can seem overwhelming, but a variety of software tools and analysis techniques are also emerging that can organize, visualize, and analyze the data to understand and improve the performance of buildings. This session will focus on how this software can transform smart thermostat data and other indoor temperature data into performance metrics that can be used to diagnose problems and measure improvements to the envelope and HVAC system. We will also review other emerging building monitoring technologies and analytical software, using case studies and graphical examples. Further, we will discuss practical recommendations for how to incorporate these technologies into buildings and make use of the data analysis tools and results.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Ethan Goldman
Ethan Goldman is the energy informatics architect at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation and is the technical lead for Efficiency Vermont’s work with smart grid, connected thermostats, and other emerging technologies that help consumers understand their energy data and find savings opportunities. Ethan is part of the team responsible for developing systems for acquiring, storing, and analyzing both smart meter and submeter data from utilities and building systems. He has conducted research on the impact of information feedback from energy consumption patterns and on non-intrusive load analysis using whole building electric meters. He holds a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
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How Low Can You Go? Deep Energy Retrofits in Vermont Commercial Buildings
Building Systems, Commercial- Holly Andersen, Bennington Early Childhood Center
- Andrew Goldberg, Hannaford Supermarkets
- James Secor, The Secor Group, LLC
- Jim Cameron, Green Dolphin LLC
Getting to 50% savings—is it possible in Vermont commercial buildings? Join a panel representing four businesses that were successful in completing a deep energy retrofit on their commercial buildings to learn about the strategies and approaches, the challenges, and ultimately the steps taken to achieve this rigorous goal. This session will include project-specific details from Efficiency Vermont’s first cohort of commercial deep energy retrofit program participants. Hear their challenges, lessons learned, and successes to date in a grocery store, private school, daycare center, and municipal City Hall. Everyone put in LED lighting, but how important was the shell? Did they have to install heat pumps? Panelists will present their implementation plans, measures installed, costs, and savings thus far.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Holly Andersen
Holly Andersen is an active parent on the board of the Bennington Early Childhood Center. In her professional life she is the project manager for the Planning Office at Bennington College. Among other things, she manages all aspects of capital construction on campus, as well as spearheading sustainability initiatives. With a background in construction management, Holly works to balance budget, energy efficiency, aesthetics, maintainability, and occupant satisfaction at this small liberal arts college. In the time she does not spend on campus, she skis, snowboards, bikes, fishes, and gardens with her two young daughters.
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Andrew Goldberg
Andrew Goldberg is an energy project manager at Delhaize America, parent company of Hannaford Supermarkets, with experience and passion in electrical and fuel efficiency projects. Goldberg received his bachelor’s degree from Babson College in business administration in 2002. He began with Hannaford as a retail management trainee, quickly becoming a store manager in multiple locations. Later, he took on a temporary project in retail communications before moving to store engineering in his current role. He manages energy efficiency projects in Hannaford’s 181 locations, including managing efficiency upgrades, distributed generation projects, and fuel conversions, as well as utility and efficiency agency relationships. In his Maine community, he is an active member of the Saco Energy and Sustainability Committee, as well as the Economic Development Commission.
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James Secor
James R. Secor, P.E., is owner of the Secor Group, LLC, located in Bennington, Vermont, specializing in design/build for industrial and commercial as well as residential projects, bringing into the mix high-end energy upgrades. Jim began his engineering and construction history as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, designing and supervising construction of communications and radar facilities throughout the European Theater. After leaving the service he settled back in Vermont, opening a successful construction firm and engineering company; doing all aspects of building design as well as state, local, and federal permitting; and taking on site and building construction. Jim holds professional engineering licenses in New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, as well as BPI certification as an envelope and building analyst professional.
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Jim Cameron
Jim Cameron is the owner of Green Dolphin LLC, based in East Fairfield, Vermont. Green Dolphin LLC is a project management, real estate development, and consulting company for both rehab and new construction projects. Recent projects have included the complete gut and rehab of a historic downtown Saint Albans landmark; gut, remodel, and rehab of a 25,000-square-foot municipal building; ADA modifications to student housing; and project evaluation/consultation for a site redevelopment. Clients include private developers, Vermont state agencies, municipalities, and national management corporations. Jim is particularly proud of the deep energy retrofit work his firm performed on the Saint Albans City Hall.
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Lighting Control Systems Hands-on Workshop (Part 2)
Building Systems, Commercial- Steve Mesh, Lighting Education & Design
How do advanced lighting control systems really work? Find out by wiring one yourself, even if you’ve never wired anything in your life. Wiring a complex control system is not as hard as it sounds! In this workshop, attendees will help the presenter get a lighting control system up and running. We will wire, commission, and program a system including fixture controllers, occupancy sensors, photosensors, and switches. Learn about different transmission protocols, digital vs. analog signals, and much more. No prior wiring experience is necessary. All tools and materials will be supplied.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP, Passive House
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Steve Mesh
Steve Mesh attended Parsons School of Design and has been a lighting designer and educator for 36 years. He has designed the lighting for a wide variety of projects in the U.S. and internationally. He was the lighting program coordinator at the Pacific Energy Center in San Francisco. He’s a member of the IES and was previously the IES northeast regional vice president. For 25 years, he has served on the Energy Management Committee. He is an EPA Green Lights Program surveyor ally and has been an AIA registered provider. Steve was on the development team for the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program. He has been a contributing editor of Building Operating Management magazine. He’s given several workshops at Lightfair and has spoken at Lux Pacifica in New Delhi, India.
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Profile of a Passive House–Inspired Home
Innovative Design, Residential- Roger Cooney, Wright Builders, Inc.
- Roger Buzzell, Wright Builders, Inc.
- Steve Spatz, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This session will detail the benefits of designing and building an all-electric home with grid-tied photovoltaic panels and the following: subterranean water management; a robust building envelope including a precast foundation system with added insulation, double-wall construction with dense-pack cellulose, LVL roof framing with mixed closed-cell spray foam and dense-pack cellulose, and Alpine windows and doors; bulk water management; a vapor management layer; air infiltration reduction strategies; and advantageous solar orientation and glazing. We will also cover connected plug loads calculations; testing; and building systems, including a high-efficiency mini-split system, energy recovery ventilator, and PV array. We will present an overview of the construction followed by a Q & A session.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Roger Cooney
Roger Cooney has a career committed to high performance and sustainable design and construction. This work includes designs that meet or surpass the standards of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Tier III, LEED for Homes, deep energy retrofit, and the International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge. His firm is currently constructing the final phase of its Village Hill development project, which is built to both ENERGY STAR Tier III and LEED for Homes (Gold certified) standards, along with a LEED for Homes single-family home (Platinum certified), two Living Building Challenge projects, and a Passive House–inspired home in southern Vermont. Roger holds multiple degrees, formerly owned his own design business, and has been with Wright Builders for 11 years.
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Roger Buzzell
Roger Buzzell manages high-performance construction for commercial, institutional, and residential projects. Currently he is overseeing the construction of the final phase for his company’s Village Hill development, which is an ENERGY STAR and LEED for Homes certified project. He is also overseeing a new single-family home being built to ENERGY STAR Tier III & LEED for Homes Platinum standard, along with a Passive House–inspired home in southern Vermont. Roger formerly managed an alpine program at a skiing resort in western Massachusetts. He is a master builder and a Massachusetts-licensed contractor supervisor, and has been with Wright Builders for a decade.
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Steve Spatz
Steve Spatz is a residential energy consultant with the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC). Steve works as a consultant in both the Residential New Construction and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs with Efficiency Vermont. Prior to coming to work at VEIC, Steve owned and operated Redbarn Design and Build, a residential construction and home performance contracting company that he founded in 2002. Redbarn Design and Build’s focus was high-performance new construction and renovation; the company also completed over 150 residential energy retrofits of existing homes. Steve is a BPI-certified building analyst and envelope professional, a RESNET-certified energy rater, and a National Association of Home Builders certified green professional.
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Reassessing Passive Solar Design Principles
Envelope, Residential- Martin Holladay, Green Building Advisor
In the 1970s, residential designers learned that a passive solar house should be oriented with the long dimension aligned from east to west. They also learned that a passive solar house benefited from extra south-facing windows, an adequate roof overhang to shade south-facing windows from the summer sun, and extra interior thermal mass. Although many designers still promote the passive solar approach, research suggests that following these principles won’t necessarily save any energy. Even when some of these measures save a little energy, the energy savings are too low to justify the measures’ cost.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Martin Holladay
Martin Holladay has been reporting on energy issues for a variety of publications, including the Journal of Light Construction, Energy Design Update, and Environmental Building News, since 1999. Before becoming an editor, Martin worked for many years as a design/build contractor in Vermont. Currently employed as a senior editor at Fine Homebuilding magazine and the Green Building Advisor website, he writes a weekly blog called “Musings of an Energy Nerd.”
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The Secrets of Commercial Building Mechanical Systems
Building Systems, Commercial- Roy Swain, Kohler & Lewis Mechanical Engineering
Commercial buildings, such as schools, endure for decades, while the people occupying and working in them change frequently. In many buildings, enough time passes so that the understanding of mechanical systems within the building becomes lost, and critical secrets remain hidden within the HVAC and plumbing systems. At such times, performing a detailed mechanical needs assessment can allow the building owner to expose and understand the secrets and then operate the systems in an optimal fashion immediately, as well as laying the plans for needed periodic revisions and upgrades. This presentation will review the process and content of such an assessment within the framework of the nine objectives of building mechanical systems, and will include many real-world examples from Vermont. It is designed for anyone associated with commercial buildings, including owners, facility managers, architects, building committees, and contractors.
Presentation(s):
- The Secrets of Commercial Building Mechanical Systems
- Facilities Operating Plan by Efficiency Vermont
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, Passive House
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Roy Swain
Roy E. Swain is the owner of Kohler and Lewis Mechanical Engineers in Keene, New Hampshire. He specializes in helping commercial building owners understand and optimize their mechanical systems. He designs practical and efficient HVAC, plumbing, and control systems, including those for numerous LEED buildings, net-zero projects, and Living Building Challenge buildings. Previously, Roy managed the development of the McQuay MicroTech line of DDC controllers and was a senior project engineer at the Carrier Corporation.
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What Can Sunny California Teach the Chilly Northeast?
Innovative Design, Residential- Ann V. Edminster, Design AVEnues LLC
California’s 2020 “big, bold goal”—that all new homes will be zero net energy (ZNE)—has spurred the development of ZNE homes throughout the state. One demonstration project in particular, in Habitat for Humanity’s Stockton Dream Creek subdivision, stands as a shining example of cost-effective innovation. A very clever builder, armed with knowledge gleaned from utility ratepayer-funded education programs to supplement his own considerable experience and ingenuity, has honed some time-honored resource efficiency strategies to a rare degree. This session will showcase those strategies and present the performance and cost findings from the project, demonstrating that the human brain is the most potent technology at our disposal. Unless you build in a wimpy climate like California's, you may not be able to get to a 12% framing factor after attending this session, but you’ll have some new ideas about how to make some great efficiency improvements! No silver bullets, but 100 silver BBs…
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, Passive House
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Ann V. Edminster
Ann Edminster, M.Arch., is an international expert on sustainable residential construction and zero-net energy. A principal developer of LEED for Homes, Ann authored Energy Free: Homes for a Small Planet, an award-winning guide to designing and building zero-energy homes. She consults on zero-energy initiatives throughout North America, served as a 2015 U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon juror, and is a board member of the Net Zero Energy Coalition, as well as its summit director. She collaborates with building professionals, utilities, nonprofits, supply chain clients, investors, public agencies, and homeowners to create leading-edge projects and advocate for zero-energy and low-carbon building solutions at all scales.
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ASHRAE Guideline 36: Advanced HVAC Control Sequences
Commercial, Commercial- Rick Stehmeyer, Cx Associates
- Matthew Napolitan, Cx Associates
In the commercial industrial sector, retrofit energy efficiency measures such as the installation of LED lighting and variable frequency drives (VFDs) on HVAC equipment have become commonplace. We will focus on HVAC control sequences, the algorithms that building automation systems employ to keep commercial buildings comfortable and efficient. We will present an overview of ASHRAE Guideline 36, which is a set of HVAC control sequences that can be implemented as part of a retrofit or new construction. When implemented correctly, these sequences can help regain or increase the efficiency of a building’s HVAC systems. We will explain the advantages of implementing the Guideline 36 sequences and present an in-depth look at the guideline’s current state and plans for its future.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, Passive House
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Rick Stehmeyer
Rick Stehmeyer is a senior engineer at Cx Associates in Burlington, Vermont. Rick is an expert in HVAC controls and the former technical services manager for a major controls contracting firm in New England. He has over a decade of experience as a systems integrator, commissioning agent, and installer of major name-brand building automation systems across a wide range of markets including New York City, New Jersey, and Vermont. Using his background and experience in information systems, Rick identifies opportunities in building systems for increased efficiency through controls reprogramming. He specializes in analysis of control logic implemented by controls contractors, often finding ways to improve equipment operation while decreasing energy consumption.
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Matthew Napolitan
Matthew Napolitan’s hands-on, collaborative approach to new and existing building commissioning results in better projects for Cx Associates’ clients. His prior experience as a mechanical engineer and project manager at two major multinational engineering firms coupled with his current tenure as a commissioning provider gives him a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience. Matt’s expertise and professionalism allows him to bridge the gaps between project stakeholders. With experience in commercial, institutional, military, and health-care work, Matt brings a well-rounded perspective to any project, whether its goals are reduced energy, simplified maintenance, increased reliability, or all three.
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Building Energy Systems for Low-energy Homes: Comparing a Net-zero Home Built in 2016 to a Superinsulated Home Built in 1983 with Renewable Energy Upgrades
Building Systems, Residential- John Call, Home Energy, Inc.
Home Energy, Inc.’s first project, constructed in 1983, was a superinsulated, passive solar structure, incorporating south-facing windows, insulated shutters, thermal mass for passive solar storage, high R-values, and Mitsubishi air-to-air heat exchangers. Our latest project, an all-electric, net-zero home, employs the same basic concepts as the initial project, as well as technologies such as thermal mass with radiant heat, a ground-source heat pump, solar PV with a Tesla battery backup, and a Zehnder heat-recovery ventilator. We will explain current concepts and technologies and demonstrate how they can be incorporated into retrofits of existing structures, remodeling and performing of deep energy retrofits, and building of low-energy and net-zero homes.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
John Call
John J. Call is president of Home Energy, Inc., the company he established in 1979, focusing on energy-efficient building and home improvement. It is a design/build firm, constructing new ENERGY STAR homes and remodeling and retrofitting existing homes. The company has worked for demand-side management utility programs, performing insulation and weatherization on low-income homes and municipal housing units. In 2008, it added renewable energy to the services provided, installing ground-source heat pumps and solar PV. In 2012, the firm began performing deep-energy retrofits through National Grid’s DER Program. Its most recent project is a net-zero home in Warren, Vermont. John holds a Massachusetts unlimited construction supervisor license. He is an accredited ground-source heat pump installer and member of the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.
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Developer-driven Net-positive Building: Challenges, Insights, and Successes
Commercial, Commercial- Bill Maclay, Maclay Architects
- Mike Foster, Malone Properties
- Duane Peterson, SunCommon
- Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance, Inc.
Learn how a developer-driven project can be net-zero energy, and even net-positive energy. The client, architect, and developer for the new SunCommon headquarters will share stories, lessons learned, and individual insights associated with pursuing and achieving a 14,000-square-foot net-positive energy office/warehouse. The integrated design process included close team coordination, open communication, and progress testing. The team will share how, through this process, attention to detail became integral to the success of the project. Furthermore, Mike Foster of Malone Properties will share how the practices and techniques employees learned on the jobsite while executing the superinsulated and airtight envelope details developed by Maclay Architects are replicable and will become standard practice for the company’s cost-effective delivery of net-positive buildings in Vermont.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Bill Maclay
Bill Maclay is the author of The New Net Zero (Chelsea Green Publishing) and founding principal of Maclay Architects of Waitsfield, Vermont. Bill has been recognized as a leader in innovative ecological planning and architectural design since 1971. Maclay Architects specializes in net-zero energy design and was the recipient of the 2012 NESEA (Northeast Sustainable Energy Association) Zero Net Energy Building Award. Bill has a B.A. from Williams College and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a past President of the Vermont chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He has served on many boards and has taught and spoken at colleges, universities, and conferences focused on environmental design. Bill and the firm have continuously been involved in research on all aspects of environmental design, including sustainable design, indoor air quality, building science, material selection, and related issues.
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Mike Foster
Mike Foster is the project manager and the driving force behind Malone Properties. He has been with Malone Properties for 15 years, helping grow the company to over 1,000,000 square feet of property owned. Mike is hardworking and dedicated to creating buildings that clients can be proud to call their own. In 2016, Mike took a double dip into the net-zero phenomenon that is sweeping the building industry, in both residential and commercial building. Having built the SunCommon building in Waterbury, Vermont, and the Community Sailing Center in Burlington, Vermont, Malone Properties is becoming well versed in net zero.
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Duane Peterson
Duane Peterson is co-president of SunCommon, Vermont’s largest residential and community solar provider. A social entrepreneur, he’s on his seventh career, having had stints in emergency medical services, community policing, electoral politics, and the executive and legislative branches of government. The common thread is Duane’s commitment to positive social change. Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen lured Duane to use the business as a force for good; at the ice cream company, he further developed the values-led business model and literally helped write the book on the subject. After 12 years as Ben’s chief of stuff, Duane left to co-found SunCommon, a Vermont Benefit Corporation and certified B Corp. He was recognized by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility with the 2015 Terry Ehrich Award for lifetime achievement in conscious capitalism.
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Andy Shapiro
Andrew Shapiro, president of Energy Balance, Inc., has provided high-performance building energy analysis, design, and monitoring consulting services for 30 years to a wide variety of clients, including owners, architects, engineers, builders, housing developers, universities, businesses, and efficiency programs. He provides guidance and technical expertise along the path of conceptualization, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy assessment, aimed at optimizing the environmental impact of the building, indoor environmental quality, operating and maintenance costs, and building durability. He works with new and existing buildings, from single-family homes up to larger commercial and institutional buildings. He is also the director of science and engineering education for the Vermont Energy Education Program, raising the energy literacy of the next generation.
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Measuring NZE Home Performance in New York
Innovative Design, Residential- Ryan Pollin, ERS
- Nick Collins, ERS
We set out to verify the energy savings of new net-zero energy (NZE) homes in the northeastern United States with the use of metered data and site-specific energy analyses. Through this process we gained insight into the factors contributing to the success or failure of these homes in achieving their NZE goals. During this presentation, we will provide an overview of the 20-plus homes inspected and metered through this work and the key design features of these homes that allowed owners to target NZE consumption. We will review our preliminary findings regarding home performance and our strategies for verifying the actual energy performance of these homes. Finally, we’ll present the results of our end-use metering and analysis.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Ryan Pollin
Ryan Pollin is a project engineer II at ERS. He works on program impact evaluations at the site- and program-wide analysis levels using a range of analysis techniques. Ryan provides ongoing technical review support for custom energy efficiency applications in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities across a wide range of technologies and supports process evaluation efforts with data processing and analytics. Prior to joining ERS, Ryan worked as an energy efficiency engineer intern for GreenerU in Waltham, Massachusetts. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
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Nick Collins
Nick Collins, P.E., LEED accredited professional, is a senior engineer for ERS. His areas of expertise include the monitoring and verification of energy efficiency projects and the analysis of energy efficiency measures in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. Nick is proficient in project and construction management, with an emphasis on sustainable design, high-performance buildings, and building methods in commercial construction. He has significant experience with LEED and core performance rating systems and project delivery. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine.
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The Applied Science of Air Barriers
Envelope, Both Residential & Commercial- Frederick McKnight, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
Building enclosure assemblies now include components designed to limit vapor and air migration through the assembly. These membranes also take on other properties from time to time, including acting as a water-resistive barrier and thermal barrier. The additional properties may require that alternative installation details be followed. Some performance testing of the installed product will also identify problems that can be addressed prior to the covering of the barrier with other enclosure assemblies and materials. We will look at how to analyze a wall assembly to identify the function of the enclosure assemblies.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Frederick McKnight
Frederick McKnight is the senior vice president of building science at Turner Building Science & Design. He has over 30 years of experience in HVAC design, indoor air quality evaluations, building enclosure, and HVAC commissioning in both industrial and non-industrial environments. Frederick McKnight and Turner Building Science are members of ABAA (the Air Barrier Association of America) and BCxA (the Building Commissioning Association). He sits on ABAA’s national Whole Building Testing technical committee, which recently finished work on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) Air Leakage Test Protocol for Building Enclosures Standard and which is now focused on developing a new whole building air leakage testing standard for submission to ASTM. He is a registered professional engineer with the State of Vermont. In addition, he is a LEED accredited professional and certified commissioning authority.
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Top Ten "Outside the Box" Case Studies
Innovative Design, Residential- Eli Gould, The Ironwood Brands/PreCraft, Inc.
The founder of a custom prefab firm specializing in high-performance homes, low-load mechanical systems, and innovative PreCraft assemblies speaks on a series of case studies from 2015 and 2016. The chosen examples and themes are ones that stretch the definitions of high-performance homes, challenge the assumptions of rating systems, and define some of the elements which Vermonters continue to lead in practice in which may not be broadly supported by incentive programs. Our intent is not to criticize incentives but to illustrate the key trends and goals of our unique client-driven projects to see if they merit a policy or pilot project focus that could maintain our region's leadership.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Eli Gould
Eli Gould left his hometown in southern Vermont in the early 90s to develop a new dual major track at Yale in Architecture and Forestry then returned home soon after to found the vertically integrated design/build firm Ironwood Brand. After serving out the experience based track to architecture licensure in some leading area firms including the national timber-frame and custom prefab markets, Eli returned to his hometown to lead a small firm dedicated to top tier projects and system development. The Ironwood Brands now include dedicated manufacturing under PreCraft Inc, and wood product focus under STIX, L3C. Eli's project highlights covered in past years include a "Best of the Best" Passivehaus, the Open_1 Prototype home by Bensonwood, the leadership projects at Leonard Farm for Alex and Jerelyn Wilson, but has focused in recent years on ways to take that leadership to broader and more affordable mainstream practice.
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Elm Place Senior Housing: The Adventures of an Affordable Multifamily Passive House Project in Vermont
Innovative Design, Residential- Michael Wisniewski, Duncan Wisniewski Architecture
- Miranda Lescaze, Cathedral Square Corporation
- Chris West, Eco Houses of Vermont, LLC
Elm Place is the first multifamily passive house building in Vermont. It is also affordable housing developed by a nonprofit. How did we reach the Passive House standard when funding sources are so limited? The iterative design process of a typical passive project does not easily slip into the nonprofit world of tight schedules and project delivery. In this session, the presenters share how they were able to bring this 30‐unit affordable senior housing project to the PHIUS (Passive House Institute U.S.) standard for just a 1‐2% upcharge. In a nutshell, we learned that the inherent surface‐to-volume advantage of multifamily buildings enables attainment of the Passive House standard with incremental upgrades. This will not be a highly technical presentation, but it will cover the details of the design and systems so the audience can understand exactly how the building is configured. Both challenges and ideas for improvements will be included.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Michael Wisniewski
Michael Wisniewski is a principal at Duncan Wisniewski Architecture in Burlington, Vermont, and a certified Passive House consultant (PHIUS). He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Cornell University. His firm received the 2015 Efficiency Vermont Commercial Partner of the Year award. One of his design focuses is affordable multifamily housing, and his firm has completed nearly 1,000 units over the past 30 years, including entire neighborhoods. Michael is also a photographer, storyteller, and tango dancer.
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Miranda Lescaze
Miranda Lescaze is a real estate developer for the affordable housing nonprofit Cathedral Square. Miranda is interested in community development, and has over 15 years’ experience working for community‐based nonprofits. At Cathedral Square she leads development projects from inception through permitting, funding, and construction. She previously worked as the director of the Center for Workforce Development and Diversity at Vermont EPSCoR, and was the technical coordinator at the Lake Champlain Basin Program, among other pursuits linking natural resources to community development. She has a master’s degree in natural resources from the University of Vermont and a bachelor’s degree from Carleton College.
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Chris West
Chris West is a building science acolyte who has studied and practiced building science principles since 2010. Chris’s background in mechanical engineering was his springboard into the Passive House movement. In 2010 he became a certified Passive House consultant. Since starting his Passive House consulting firm, Eco Houses of Vermont, LLC, Chris has been involved with more than 20 Passive House and near Passive House projects, mostly single-family homes. The Elm Place senior housing project was Chris’s first large building project, which provided him with the opportunity to apply his experience with Passive House on a larger scale. He believes the future of building is Passive House.
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Considerations for High-wattage Exterior Lighting
Building Systems, Both Residential & Commercial- Eric Haugaard, Cree LED Lighting
LED Lighting has been an obvious choice for lower wattages in street and area lighting for years. However, there has been a perceived barrier to adoption for applications where 1000W HPS and metal halide solutions are typically used. In the past, the economics and lighting performance delivered by LED systems, for these applications, were not compelling. This session will feature some case studies, where traditional 1000W luminaires were replaced with high output LED luminaires. A review of illumination performance improvements and life-cycle cost improvements will be emphasized. Additional discussion will focus on dramatic improvements in color quality performance and optical precision along with other application elements.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP, Passive House
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Eric Haugaard
Eric Haugaard is the Director of Product Technology for Cree Lighting. His career of 29 years includes a variety of positions primarily focused on advanced lightning systems development. Over the past decade Eric has presented lighting technology programs to diverse audiences throughout the world, including a strong focus on LED luminaire technologies. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, with Post-Baccalaureate Program studies completed at NASA/Ames Research Center. He holds 48 US and 16 foreign patents related to lighting technology.
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Renovating the Old Hinesburg Police Station to Net-zero Energy
Commercial, Both Residential & Commercial- Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
- David Pill, Pill - Maharam Architects
- Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance, Inc.
- Chuck Reiss, Reiss Building and Renovation
Energy Futures Group (EFG), a clean energy consulting firm in Hinesburg, Vermont, needed room to grow. The owners purchased the old Hinesburg police station for their new office and rental space. In addition to adhering to the Town’s requirement of maintaining the structure of the old building, one of EFG’s primary goals was to develop a net-zero energy building that put into practice much of what they preached. EFG worked with a leading architect, engineer, and builder to develop a model project that demonstrated how to achieve a very low energy building that produces all of its annual energy on its east-, west-, and south-facing roofs. This presentation details the design, decision, and construction process in achieving a model net-zero energy project.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Richard Faesy
Richard Faesy is a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group, a clean energy consulting firm in Hinesburg, Vermont. He has 30 years of experience in the energy field. As a certified energy rater, LEED accredited professional, and DOE home energy score assessor, he specializes in residential buildings, technologies, and markets. He has expertise in residential new construction and retrofits, energy rating and labeling, building codes, financing, green building and effective energy efficiency policy, and program design and implementation. He currently works with clients in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Prior to founding Energy Futures Group, Richard worked at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation for 21 years.
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David Pill
David Pill is the principal of Pill-Maharam Architects, a small firm in Shelburne, Vermont. He has a master’s degree in architecture from Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and art history from Lake Forest College. David has been a practicing architect for 25 years and is licensed in all six New England states and New York. After working at The Architects’ Collaborative in Cambridge, Massachusetts, David founded Pill-Maharam Architects in 1991 and has been involved with sustainable design practices since its inception. David’s passion lies in creating sculptural and pragmatic environmentally responsible buildings that produce zero carbon emissions. Pill-Maharam Architects’ work has been widely published, and the firm has received a number of local and national awards.
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Andy Shapiro
Andrew Shapiro, president of Energy Balance, Inc., has provided high-performance building energy analysis, design, and monitoring consulting services for 30 years to a wide variety of clients, including owners, architects, engineers, builders, housing developers, universities, businesses, and efficiency programs. He provides guidance and technical expertise along the path of conceptualization, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy assessment, aimed at optimizing the environmental impact of the building, indoor environmental quality, operating and maintenance costs, and building durability. He works with new and existing buildings, from single-family homes up to larger commercial and institutional buildings. He is also the director of science and engineering education for the Vermont Energy Education Program, raising the energy literacy of the next generation.
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Chuck Reiss
Chuck Reiss is the owner of Reiss Building and Renovation, a green construction company, which has been building high-performance net-zero energy homes and moving existing homes closer to net-zero energy since 1982. Chuck is one of the founding members of Building for Social Responsibility and a director of the Building Performance Professionals Association of Vermont. A certified BPI professional and a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor, he is dedicated to getting existing homes off fossil fuel through a combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and heat pumps. Chuck is also an adjunct professor at UVM, where he teaches courses on building green, low-energy-load homes, and chair of the Hinesburg Energy Committee.
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Safety and Efficiency Issues for Installed Combustion Equipment
Building Systems, Both Residential & Commercial- Brad Cook, Building Performance Services LLC
- Brian Howes, Gas Appliance Services of Vermont
Many problems can be caused by the improper installation of combustion equipment, both residential and commercial. This workshop is aimed at the auditor, home inspector, builder, architect, or installer, and its goal is making even the casual observer aware of visual clues to potential safety issues with combustion appliances. Starting with a basic review of a few important laws and principles of science, we will use real-life examples to look at what can go wrong when the installation is not right. Topics will include fuel supply (with a focus on gas), combustion air, the combustion chamber, and the venting of combustion gases. Also discussed will be how overall efficiency depends on proper installation and appropriate application.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, Passive House
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Brad Cook
Brad Cook is the owner of Building Performance Services LLC, a home performance contracting company and winner of several Efficiency Vermont Best of the Best Awards. His formal training started with the naval nuclear submarine program, including coursework in thermodynamics and fluid flow, and was followed by obtaining a B.A. in physics from St. Michael’s College. With over 25 years of inspecting and repairing homes in central Vermont, he started specializing in energy efficiency in 2006. Since then he has continued to maintain several BPI certifications, including heating specialist. He also holds certifications from HRAI and Snell Infrared. He has presented many energy efficiency workshops across Vermont, including Button Up Vermont and DIY Skillshops.
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Brian Howes
Brian Howes is the owner of Gas Appliance Services of Vermont. With an associate degree in applied science from Vermont Technical College, he has been active in the gas industry for 43 years. He is licensed in Vermont as a master plumber, as well as certified for both LP and natural gas installation, and he is EPA certified for refrigeration and air conditioning. He served on the Safety and Education Committee for the former Vermont Gas Association. He has taught classes on gas safety and forensics to the Vermont chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators and the Vermont State Fire Marshalls.
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The Essential Role of Design Vision in the Widespread Adoption of Low-carbon Buildings
Innovative Design, Both Residential & Commercial- Harry Hunt, Harry Hunt Architects
In order for our society to effectively curb climate change, a rapid transformation of the construction industry is of paramount importance. Historically, similar rapid market transformations that have occurred have been catalyzed by a compelling design vision. In considering a shift toward low-carbon buildings, architects and building professionals should recognize and accept their important role as leaders of a new movement. That role involves the proliferation of a new and compelling design vision. What are the underpinnings of such a vision? From where might architects and designers draw their inspiration? Seven key low-carbon building characteristics will be outlined and explored in terms of their design implications. Existing built examples will be cited and analyzed.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Harry Hunt
Harry L. Hunt, AIA, owner and principal of Harry Hunt Architects, has specialized in sustainable design across a wide range of contexts—residential and civic buildings, urban planning, interiors, and landscapes. With over three decades of experience in architectural design, engineering, and construction, Harry balances a strong sense of aesthetics with cutting-edge building science and practical construction know-how. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Vermont in 1986, and his master’s degree in architecture from the University of Colorado in 1994. He is a current member and past president of the Vermont Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and is certified as a Passive House designer through the Passive House Institute in Darmstadt, Germany.
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University of Vermont Medical Center: Approach and Strategy for Sustainable Design and Construction
Commercial, Commercial- Dave Keelty, University of Vermont Medical Center
- Michael Pulaski, Thornton Tomasetti
- Bill Repichowskyj, E4H Architecture
This session will cover the process and implementation for integrating sustainability and energy efficiency into the University of Vermont Medical Center inpatient bed project, which is anticipated to have half the EUI (energy use intensity) of the average building on campus. We will outline the guiding principles of the project, the sustainability goals, the energy modeling and due diligence that was incorporated into the planning stage, and the architectural response to these directives. Attendees will learn about best practices for integrating sustainability into the design process, as well as the tools and methods that can be applied to meeting energy efficiency goals.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Dave Keelty
Dave Keelty, B.S., CEM, CHFM, CHC, has 40 years of experience in health-care facilities management and health-care construction and is currently director of facilities planning and development at the University of Vermont (UVM) Medical Center. He is overseeing the planning, design, and construction of the new Robert E. and Holly D. Miller Building, a $187 million initiative for a new inpatient building that has integrated sustainability into the approach for planning and design. Dave serves on the Sustainability Council of UVM Medical Center, a multidisciplinary steering committee charged with oversight of all elements of sustainability programming. He is a certified energy manager with the association of energy engineers and holds a bachelor’s degree from Johnson State College in Johnson, Vermont.
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Michael Pulaski
Michael Pulaski, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C, has more than 12 years of experience in sustainability consulting, offering sustainability strategies and programming, energy and environmental analysis, and certification management to building owners, design teams, and contractors for new construction and existing structures. He is well-versed in all LEED rating systems, the WELL Building Standard, Living Building Challenge certification, Passive House standards, and international rating systems such as BREEAM, Three Star, Estidama, and Green Star. Michael Pulaski is a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Emerging Professionals National Committee and has served on the USGBC’s Maine chapter and Upper Northeast Regional Council boards. He is an ambassador for the International Living Future Institute.
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Bill Repichowskyj
Bill Repichowskyj, AIA, NCARB, is a partner, architect, and design leader at the firm E4H MorrisSwitzer Environments for Health, a national architectural firm focusing exclusively on health-care design. With 27 years of experience, he has worked both nationally and internationally on a variety of health-care project types. Bill works with both clients and colleagues in a collaborative approach to optimize thoughtful, quality design. He has a B.S. in architectural studies and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Nebraska. He is currently partner in charge for the University of Vermont Medical Center Robert E. and Holly D. Miller Building, a $187 million inpatient building that has integrated sustainability into the planning and design of the project, which is targeting LEED Silver certification.
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Balancing Your Energy Investments When Funds Are Limited
Envelope, Both Residential & Commercial- John Rahill, Black River Design Architects
Anyone can build an energy-efficient or net-zero home with unlimited funds, but for most projects, funds are limited. The challenge is how to assess where investing in energy savings is most effective and where it does not make much sense. With the cost of photovoltaic panels coming down, getting to net-zero energy use is now a realistic goal. Understanding when to stop investing in energy savings and when it is better to invest in energy generation instead is now the responsibility of designers. Using several recent net-zero and energy-efficient projects as examples, the presenter will demonstrate a simple methodology for determining the best uses of energy savings dollars.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
John Rahill
After graduating from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, John Rahill spent several years running a small general contracting firm involved in building active and passive solar homes. John’s career has been committed to sustainable and high-performance design with an emphasis on durability, aesthetics, and occupant comfort. Recently, he has designed projects incorporating renewable energy sources and tight building envelopes. He also recently completed a net-zero energy and water project that is in the performance monitoring phase under the Living Building Challenge. John believes that his most powerful learning experiences have been the many mistakes he has made over his career.
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Exploring Energy Modeling Tools in Passive House Design
Building Systems, Residential- Craig Simmons, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Karen Bushey, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This session will use case studies to explore widely available energy modeling tools that inform the design of Passive House and other high-performance residential buildings. We will evaluate when and where it makes sense to use dynamic modeling tools alongside well-established residential compliance tools to drive advanced building design and develop cost-effective problem-solving approaches in advanced building design. This session will compare the modeled building characteristics of building energy modeling tools: REM/Rate, PHPP, OpenStudio, and eQUEST. We will look at one multifamily and two single-family case studies to guide a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of these commonly used tools in evaluating advanced residential building design. Each case study is designed to Passive House standards and has an associated PHPP model.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Craig Simmons
Craig Simmons is a professional engineer with more than 10 years’ experience in commercial building energy analysis and energy modeling. Craig specializes in new construction and major renovation energy analysis using a variety of energy modeling tools. He previously worked as a building energy design consultant in Boston, providing guidance to owners and design teams in pursuit of performance-based energy code compliance, LEED certification, and utility incentive programs. His project experience includes high-rise glass office towers and high-intensity chemical laboratories as well as low-income multifamily and small office renovations. In his role at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, Craig advises clients on building energy efficiency improvements, and provides energy modeling in support of statewide efficiency programs. Craig is currently focused on developing energy efficiency projects for public-purpose buildings through Commons Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of VEIC.
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Karen Bushey
Karen Bushey joined Vermont Energy Investment Corporation in 2014 as a residential energy consultant with the goal of helping homeowners, builders, and architects create comfortable, durable homes that optimize building performance. A licensed architect, certified Passive House consultant, and PHIUS+ rater, Karen earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. Karen has over 20 years of experience in the field of architecture, with 14 of those years concentrating on low-environmental-impact building design and construction. Karen’s knowledge of high-performance design and experience working closely with numerous contractors has been key to the success of many residential and commercial projects in New England.
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Greatest Energy Efficiency, Minimum Negative Impacts, and Preservation of Dark Skies: New Best Practices for Street and Area Lighting
Commercial, Commercial- James Benya, Benya Burnett Consultancy
With an announcement concerning LED outdoor lighting by the American Medical Association in June 2016, the entire lighting industry was put on notice that outdoor lighting practices can have human health impacts. The presenter helped identify the potential problem in 2009 and has developed practices in lighting systems that can be used to address the AMA concerns as well as reduce light pollution, energy use, and other environmental impacts. He will present the theory and applications for street and area lighting practices that allow projects to meet energy and environmental codes and IES recommendations. He will discuss how to meet the evolving new requirements for outdoor lighting practices. The presentation will include current trends in outdoor lighting controls, illumination in “smart” cities, and how communities can use local and regional lighting regulations and planning to ensure a community-wide plan capable of broad acceptance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
James Benya
James Benya is a professional electrical and illuminating engineer and lighting designer with 43 years of experience. He is a Fellow Emeritus of the IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) and a Fellow of the International Association of Lighting Designers. His work has been recognized for over 40 years for combining energy efficiency, environmental concerns, and lighting design, and for promoting initiatives that improve the sustainability and human wellness opportunities resulting from good design. He has served on the board and the Technical Committee of the International Dark-Sky Association for 15 years, promoting practices that preserve dark skies and the environment. He was co-chair of the Model Lighting Ordinance Committee and among the first to identify the environmental and light pollution issues of LED outdoor lighting.
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Heat Pumps: The Past, Present, and Future of This Transformative Technology
Building Systems, Both Residential & Commercial- Jake Marin, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
How did we get from a technology that no one would consider installing north of the Mason-Dixon line to one with the level of exuberant uptake we see with heat pumps in Vermont today? From shutting down at 32 degrees F to running when it’s colder than 20 degrees below zero, we have seen some dramatic changes in heat pump technology during just the last few years. Cold climate multi-zone, air-to-water systems, and combined space heat/domestic hot water are just a sampling of the recent innovations we’ve seen in this technology. How did we get here? What, specifically, is available on the market today? And what is coming down the pike? During this presentation, we will explore the evolution of heat pump technology and peer into the future to predict what will arrive next.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, Passive House
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Jake Marin
Jake Marin is the program manager for HVAC and refrigeration at VEIC/Efficiency Vermont. He developed Vermont’s first heat pump program and has continued to develop programs and guidelines for the entire Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region through his work with Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP). During the last few years of looking at equipment performance, he has seen the technology improving by leaps and bounds. This piqued his interest in the technology journey we’ve traveled as we see heat pumps gaining such tremendous momentum in Vermont. This also prompts the question, “Where, exactly, are we headed?” He is excited to guide attendees on this journey.
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Step Away from the Cliff! Avoiding the Unhealthful Home
Innovative Design, Both Residential & Commercial- Brian Just, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, yet there are several building practices—and not necessarily the ones you think—that may be harmful to all occupants. “Build tight, ventilate right” is a mantra in energy efficiency, but mantras, like codes, fall short of guaranteeing safety, health, and comfort. Ventilation and materials are two factors you can directly control that strongly affect air quality and the healthiness of surfaces. This information-packed session summarizes key research, not hearsay, to highlight recent findings and looks at data from Vermont homes. It then covers a “top five” of actionable things you should know. Whether you’re a new/existing home building professional or an interested homeowner, you’ll walk away with strategies for creating healthy, budget-friendly work and living spaces.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Brian Just
Brian Just manages Efficiency Vermont’s Residential New Construction team and works on a variety of energy efficiency initiatives at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He is a mechanical engineer by trade who, after beginning his career designing and installing large-scale custom test equipment used in water-wave and automotive aerodynamics research, slowly shifted his focus to energy and health. While obtaining his master’s degree at the University of British Columbia, Brian researched biomass combustion and indoor air quality. He is RESNET, Passive House (CPHC), and LEED accredited professional certified, and is committed to serving Vermont’s residential design and construction community as its members pave the way to a future of highly efficient, healthy, durable homes.
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The Future of Affordable Housing: Maine’s Village Center Demonstrates the Potential for Ultra-low-budget Passive House Construction
Building Systems, Both Residential & Commercial- Michael Pulaski, Thornton Tomasetti
This presentation will demonstrate the potential for affordable housing in New England’s difficult climate and share lessons learned. This 48-unit, 54,000-square-foot affordable housing project faced a challenging climate, budget environment, and unconventional design process. All affordable housing projects in Maine are subject to spending limits, forcing the team to design and permit a conventional building, develop creative solutions to meet Passive House standards, and take into consideration the life-cycle environmental impact of the project.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Michael Pulaski
Michael Pulaski, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C, has more than 12 years of experience in sustainability consulting, offering sustainability strategies and programming, energy and environmental analysis, and certification management to building owners, design teams, and contractors for new construction and existing structures. He is well-versed in all LEED rating systems, the WELL Building Standard, Living Building Challenge certification, Passive House standards, and international rating systems such as BREEAM, Three Star, Estidama, and Green Star. Michael Pulaski is a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Emerging Professionals National Committee and has served on the USGBC’s Maine chapter and Upper Northeast Regional Council boards. He is an ambassador for the International Living Future Institute.
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Lighting Design for Health-care Spaces
Building Systems, Commercial- Mel Buss, Buss Lighting LLC
- Kandice Cohen, Acuity Brands Lighting
- Michael Skurla, Acuity Brands Lighting
Participants who attend this engaging and interactive session will learn how lighting technology can impact various health-care stakeholders in both financial and nonfinancial ways. Modern lighting offers more than just a great ROI. The right lighting can make the difference between a dull, boring space and one that is sparkling with life. Good design includes careful attention to illumination levels and to lighting controls’ ease of use. The controlled lighting infrastructure can positively affect occupant health and satisfaction as well as safety and security, while helping the facility save energy and money. Asset tracking can alert a clinic that a returning patient has arrived for an appointment, automatically direct the patient to the right room through an app, and alert a nurse to the arrival. Lighting infrastructure in concert with modern-day building technology creates health-care environments that not only positively impact the bottom line, but encourage well-being for patients, staff, and visitors.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NCQLP, Passive House
Room: Diamond 2About the Speaker(s)-
Mel Buss
Mel Buss, LC, IES, IALD, is an independent architectural lighting design consultant providing comprehensive, professional lighting design solutions to his commercial projects. He is committed to making interior and exterior spaces more enjoyable places in which to live and work. He has spent the last two years as the resident lighting designer for the University of Vermont Health Network–Central Vermont Medical Center’s environment initiative, which resulted in reducing energy consumption by 26%. He has been intensively involved both in commercial architectural lighting design and (as an industrial designer) in luminaire design for the gardening and agricultural industry, including development of specialized spectrum lamps.
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Kandice Cohen
Kandice Cohen, vice president of health-care for Acuity, focuses on human-centric lighting to help health-care facilities use lighting as a tool to improve their environment for patients and staff. Kandice has worked with a wide range of businesses to accelerate the adoption of light management solutions. Over the past decade, Kandice has driven incentive strategy and served as a subject matter expert; she understands all incentives for lighting and controls that can establish a paradigm shift in the lighting and control industry. She is an energetic and engaging public speaker and excels at communicating product impact to the marketplace. Kandice’s impressive slate of high-profile speaking engagements in settings with large national audiences has allowed her to establish professional relationships throughout the energy efficiency industry.
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Michael Skurla
With a B.S. in computer science and a strong background in electrical design and M2M/IoT communications technologies, Mike has spent over 23 years in commercial lighting and building automation, with a heavy emphasis in lighting controls product design, usability, and system solutions, specifically networked lighting control systems and building management systems. Through his career he has had roles in system design, commissioning, product development, programming, strategic marketing, and sales. He has led the design and development of several network, dimming, power management, and power control products available in North America, Europe, and Asia. Currently Mike is the VP of sales for Acuity Brands Lighting, focusing on multisite corporate facility design, and the design strategies behind smart building renovation and construction.
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Making the Invisible Visible: Seeking Value for Efficiency in the Real Estate Market
Innovative Design, Both Residential & Commercial- Jeffrey Gephart, Vermontwise Energy Services, Inc.
Things are looking good—your new residential client wants you to build a net-zero energy home. Your client whose renovation goals are aligned with Vermont’s Zero Energy Now program is totally on board. And there’s that high-performance commercial project you ought to sign up. The catch? All three clients need loans, and with the high-performance innovations to be incorporated, these buildings will be very different from others in the real estate market. Good appraisals showing sufficient contributory value for the performance you plan to deliver are critical in obtaining financing. In this session, we explain what you should do to help your clients secure sufficient financing and make these projects a reality.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: AmphitheatreAbout the Speaker(s)-
Jeffrey Gephart
Jeffrey Gephart is president of Vermontwise Energy Services, Inc., an energy services company in Rochester, Vermont, founded in 1997. He has over 20 years of experience providing residential new construction energy efficiency program design, marketing, and implementation for utilities and, since 2000, for Efficiency Vermont. Jeff works with architects and builders designing and building ENERGY STAR Homes, using LEED for Homes, building to the National Green Building Standard, and undertaking Passive House projects. Since 2008, as chief cat herder of the Vermont Green Home Alliance, Jeff has led this volunteer group of construction and real estate trade associations working to dramatically increase building performance education and information sharing with real estate professionals.
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Teach Your Children Well: New Projects Foster a Culture of Sustainability at Amherst College
Commercial, Both Residential & Commercial- Tom Davies, Amherst College
The Greenway Initiative at Amherst College (Amherst, Massachusetts) is transformative physically, environmentally, and culturally, helping graduate environmentally aware citizens. The project includes 350,000 square feet of new science, residential, and academic space in five buildings as well as the rebuilding of a third of the core campus’s acreage. Energy efficiency, resource protection, and user environmental awareness are central to the project. This presentation will discuss the process used to develop buy-in for the added up-front costs, the design’s notable aspects (including features that were not included and why), challenges encountered along the way, and results to date. Specific siting considerations and efficiency technologies will be discussed; these include technical mechanical design features such as indirect–direct evaporative cooling, “soft” features incorporating biophilia, and design aimed at encouraging environmentally conscious behavior.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Diamond 1About the Speaker(s)-
Tom Davies
Tom Davies, AIA, has overseen about a million square feet of capital projects at Amherst College (Amherst, Massachusetts) since joining in 2000. Although project types have ranged from 18th-century historic restoration to cutting-edge science laboratory to central plant reengineering, the common denominator has been energy efficiency. His projects at the college have garnered over a dozen awards, including a Sustainability Champion award. Tom’s most recent projects make up the Greenway Initiative, a $300 million transformation of a third of the core campus. His background includes capital renewal consulting, construction management, architectural design, and engineering. Tom holds undergraduate degrees in architecture and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in civil engineering from MIT.
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Why Build to the Passive House Standard? The Lowest-energy Demand Code in the World
Innovative Design, Residential- Christopher Miksic, Montpelier Construction LLC
- Bruce Landry, 5 Star Energy Tech, LLC
- Tolya Syril Stonorov, Stonorov Workshop
This presentation will cover the Passive House assemblies and energy design for a residential house commissioned by the Central Vermont chapter of Habitat for Humanity. It will detail the superinsulated slab, wall, and ceiling assemblies; air-sealing strategies; and ventilation equipment. Presenters will include an introduction to the PHIUS (Passive House Institute U.S.) certification process using the PHIUS+ 2015 climate-specific standards and WUFI passive energy modeling software. The emphasis will be on building assembly health, resiliency, and low-carbon benefits. Presenters will perform a brief analysis comparing market costs and the Habitat for Humanity budget for this project. Presenters will describe the design process; working with the homeowner family, volunteers, and the community at large; and what worked well and what was more challenging.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 1About the Speaker(s)-
Christopher Miksic
Christopher Clarke Miksic of Montpelier Construction is a PHIUS CPHB/CPHC and BPI-certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor. Chris has a diverse background as a designer and energy-efficient builder. As an energy auditor, he has done many weatherization upgrades with Efficiency Vermont for homeowners in central Vermont. Having completed two Passive House homes to date, he is dedicated to growing awareness and implementation of the Passive House standard in Vermont. He strives to build low-energy buildings with robust, resilient, green, and sustainable assemblies. Chris regularly attends building science study groups, workshops, and training sessions. He is a founding member of the newly formed nonprofit Vermont Passive House (phausvt.org).
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Bruce Landry
Bruce Landry is a BPI-certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor. He sits on the board of directors of the Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity chapter and is a member of the Building Performance Professionals of Vermont. Bruce has been a proponent and supporter of the Passive House standard since he first learned of it, when the 2008 Charlotte Habitat for Humanity Passive House, one of the first Passive Houses in Vermont, was built.
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Tolya Syril Stonorov
Tolya Stonorov grew up in on the East Coast. Inspired by childhood travel with her mother through europe, she moved to paris at 19 and spent time doing research and studying art. In 1998, she received her undergraduate degree from Oberlin College. From 1998-2000 she traveled through Southeast Asia and lived in London, working as a freelance artist and sushi caterer. In 2003 she received a masters of architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was awarded several grants, the Chester Miller traveling fellowship and the Howard Friedman Thesis prize. From 2003-2006 she worked with an award winning firm as a project designer/manager. In 2006 she started Stonorov Workshop with Otto Stonorov.
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The Thermal Barrier: Where to Place It? Does It Really Matter?
Envelope, Both Residential & Commercial- Lazarus Scangas, Arnold and Scangas Architects
On which side of the exterior wall should the thermal barrier be located? Does it depend on the building? This presentation will look at two existing masonry exterior wall buildings. One building was a former historic neighborhood school that has been converted into apartments, with the thermal envelope located at the interior side of the existing exterior wall. The other building was a former administration building for the Brandon Training School that has also been converted into apartments, with the thermal envelope located at the exterior side of the existing exterior wall. The presentation will review building components as a whole (thermal envelope, air sealing, windows and doors, mechanical systems, ventilation, electrical systems, and solar) and consider the costs for the installation of each system as well as the current fuel and electrical usage for each building.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House
Room: Emerald 2About the Speaker(s)-
Lazarus Scangas
Lazarus Scangas, AIA, is a principal at Arnold and Scangas Architects, located in downtown Saint Albans, Vermont. Laz believes in providing clients with efficient, comfortable, and healthy living environments that are easy to use, easy to maintain, energy-efficient, and beautiful. He is committed to balancing innovative green building technologies with long-standing good design practice and understands that sustainability begins with an integrated team process. His project management experience has included programming, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, bidding and negotiations, and construction administration. The firm specializes in working with local nonprofits in restoring and renovating historic buildings.
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Residential Ventilation: The North American Experience and Its Future
Building Systems, Residential- Alex De Gagne, Minotair Ventilation Inc.
- Karl Audet, Minotair Ventilation Inc.
This presentation will show the audience what has been done so far in terms of residential ventilation in the United States and Canada. Among other things, we will cover historical milestones in the last 30 years and the current status of residential ventilation in the different markets in North America. We will also discuss relevant products on the market today, as well as describe residential ventilation technologies possible in the near future.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate
Accreditation: AEE, AIA HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, Passive House
Room: Emerald 3About the Speaker(s)-
Alex De Gagne
Alex De Gagné, MQPH, is a building technologist who has completed two technical college A.E.C. degrees (building construction plus building inspection). Born in the ski mountain village of Mont Sutton, Quebec (near the Vermont border) into a family of construction contractors, Alex has worked in technical sales for the last 10 years solely for manufacturers in the HVAC industry. Among them was Fantech-Systemair, one of the largest North American manufacturers of ventilation products. For two years he was a director on the board of the Quebec chapter of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating. He sits on the board of directors of Passive House Quebec and is an active member of its Training Committee, in which capacity he has given talks to introduce Passive House principles to the general public.
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Karl Audet
Karl Audet is the founder and CEO of Minotair Ventilation Inc. He earned his engineering bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications from the Royal Military College of Canada. For over 23 years, Karl served in the Canadian Armed Forces as an electronics and systems engineer and as a military and communications security officer, retiring as a major. After his military career he worked as a consultant for many years for the Canadian Army and civilian customers. And at one point during a peacekeeping mission in the Egyptian desert, he saw the opportunity to start his own manufacturing firm to really create an indoor climate with greater air quality in terms of freshness, controlled humidity, and indoor pollutant reduction.
Keynote: Bill McKibben
2016 Conference Presentations
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Best Practice Designs for Cost-Effective Approaches to Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Enclosures
Envelope, Commercial- Steve Easley, Steve Easley & Associates
This interactive session is designed to sort through the myriad of insulation choices in order to choose the best insulation system for various types of structure. It will focus on the performance characteristics of new building enclosure approaches and technologies to help you create enclosures that manage thermal and moisture loads to ensure building durability as well as energy efficiency. The presenter will use real-world examples to help you select the best insulation and air barrier system for a given application and write better specifications regarding fenestration, insulation, and air barriers.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Steve Easley
Steve Easley is an internationally recognized construction consultant specializing in solving building science–related problems and educating building industry professionals and their trade partners. His work focuses on increasing quality of construction, sustainability, and performance, and reducing costly mistakes that lead to construction defects and call-backs. Steve’s mission is helping industry professionals build and remodel structures that are durable, energy efficient, healthy, and comfortable to live and work in. He has more than 30 years of industry experience, performing thousands of jobsite quality surveys and presenting building science seminars around the world to an annual audience of 8,000–10,000 industry professionals.
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Passive for the Masses — Tunneling Through the Cost Barrier through Innovative Design and Production Methods
Envelope, Commercial & Residential- Adam Cohen, Passiv Science
The climate change emergency has made it a high priority to take high-performance buildings into the mainstream. This presentation will outline the techniques the presenter is employing to design, manufacture, and construct Passivhaus buildings for the same cost as (or even less than) standard code buildings. The presenter’s systems have the potential to change the way we build in North America.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Adam Cohen
As an active designer/builder and green building expert, Adam Cohen is a leading North American Passivhaus practitioner whose innovative work on market-rate delivery of commercial high-performance building has made his work known for projects across North America. He has presented technical papers at both national and international Passivhaus conferences. His leadership in commercial Passivhaus design has made him a sought-after speaker, consultant, and teacher of advanced courses in Passivhaus ultra-low-energy design.
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Using Standards and Technology to Create Efficiency in Energy Data Management
Building Systems, Commercial & Residential- AJ Rossman, Smart Resource Labs
There’s a lot of talk today about using data to optimize building comfort and save energy costs. These discussions include words such as data loggers, data standards, data protocols, data analytics… and more words, such as Haystack, Modbus, and BACnet. It’s easy to get overwhelmed unless you know the basics of the tools used for data acquisition, management, and utilization. This presentation will explain key concepts and components in the data value chain and give examples on how standards, protocols, and technology advancements are making continuous energy improvement possible.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
AJ Rossman
AJ Rossman’s work is at the intersection of energy and IT. He has been assessing the performance of remote power systems using a combination of hardware and web services for more than a decade. As the founder of Draker Energy, he launched the third-party monitoring industry for commercial and utility-scale photovoltaic power plants. He is now the director of Smart Resource Labs, focusing on performance monitoring of commercial and industrial energy efficiency measures. AJ holds master’s degrees in electrical engineering, environmental science, and geology.
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Energy Efficiency Strategies for Complex Projects—the Case of the Waterbury State Office Complex
Commercial, Commercial- Jesse Beck, Freeman French Freeman, Architects
- Brian Leet, Freeman French Freeman, Architects
- Chris Shumway, Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering
After the Waterbury State Office Complex was nearly destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene, replacement space was needed for about 1,000 state employees and all options were on the table. Presenters will discuss how smart decision making at key points in the process led to both energy and cost savings for the $125 million, LEED Gold project. The design team will discuss how their strategy evolved and adapted to changing conditions over a four-year period, with an emphasis on the initial feasibility study, their approach to campus-wide energy distribution, and the need to fine-tune individual buildings to maximize energy performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Jesse Beck
Jesse Beck, AIA, NCARB, is president of Freeman French Freeman, Architects in Burlington, Vermont. A graduate of the master of architecture program at the University of Utah, Jesse has practiced architecture for more than 33 years, including 27 years at Freeman French Freeman. During that time Jesse has played a leadership role in several of Vermont’s most complex architectural projects, including multiple expansions at the Burlington International Airport, several projects at the UVM Medical Center, Jeffords Science Hall at UVM, and the Waterbury State Office Complex.
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Brian Leet
Brian Leet, AIA, CSI, LEED AP+, is a project architect and sustainability expert at Freeman French Freeman, Architects in Burlington, Vermont. After graduating with a degree in architecture and computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, Brian worked for firms in Pittsburgh and Vermont before joining FFF in 2012. He has 20 years of design experience and has worked on more than a dozen LEED-certified projects. Brian also serves as president of the Vermont Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI Vermont).
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Chris Shumway
Chris Shumway, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, is president of Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering in Laconia, New Hampshire. Chris has more than 25 years of mechanical engineering and management experience, including numerous large-scale building and central utility plant projects in the Northeast. Throughout his career Chris has been an advocate for RFS’s approach to designing highly creative, energy-efficient, and sustainable buildings and building infrastructure. In addition to his firm management duties, Chris also provides technical input and oversight for many RFS projects, including the Waterbury State Office Complex. Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, cum laude, from Clarkson University.
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Multiple Measure Efficiency Projects—Maximizing Returns for Commercial Buildings
Commercial, Commercial- Michelle Keller, Burlington Electric Department
Discussions of energy efficiency projects usually focus on a single system: lighting, HVAC, or building envelope. The Burlington Electric Department and a large customer instead organized energy audit results into a prioritization matrix for discussion among building owners, the maintenance team, and the occupants. Many of the proposed measures offered unanticipated synergies. The matrix provided a valuable tool to evaluate a full spectrum of efficiency upgrade projects, and a road map for phased implementation over time and budget cycles. This presentation will cover both the steps used in developing the matrix and preliminary results of its implementation.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Michelle Keller
Michelle Keller is part of the Energy Services team at Burlington’s municipal electric utility. She is responsible for working with commercial customers to identify and evaluate energy efficiency improvement opportunities. She has a degree in chemical engineering from MIT, and after working for many years in process engineering and materials development, turned her focus in 2001 to promoting energy efficiency for commercial facilities and schools. She has a strong background in lighting and refrigeration technologies, and strives to foster cooperative working relationships among energy efficiency programs, contractors, and building owners.
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The Economics of Net Zero
Innovative Design, Commercial & Residential- John Rahill, Black River Design
When you are designing a building to power itself, the economics of how much to invest in energy- saving components is quite tidy. The economic analysis process results in the ability to identify the lowest- cost combination of elements to achieve your net-zero goal. John Rahill will explain how this analysis is an important design tool in bringing rigor to the energy savings discussion.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
John Rahill
John Rahill’s career has been committed to sustainable and high-performance design with an emphasis on durability, aesthetics, and occupant comfort. Recently, he has designed projects incorporating renewable energy sources and tight building envelopes. His firm is currently working on a Living Building Challenge project involving renovation and new construction. John holds a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and is a member of the AIA. He has served as president of AIA Vermont and the Solar Association of Vermont. After school, he spent several years running a small general contracting firm involved in active and Passive solar and high-performance buildings.
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The Challenges of Creating the Perfect Conditions for Proper Machine Processing of Polyurethane Foam
Envelope, Commercial & Residential- Henri Fennell, HC Fennell Consulting
This session will introduce the most common causes of problems in field-applied polyurethane foam plastic installations and present guidelines for ensuring proper chemical processing, the most common source of problems. It will start with an overview of the parameters that the foam’s chemistry requires for proper processing, then discuss the implications of these needs on how the equipment is set up and used, and how to verify that the processing parameters are being met. We will review industry-standard quality control procedures and then demonstrate additional methods that installers can use to ensure and verify proper processing.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Henri Fennell
Henri Fennell, CSI/CDT, is an architect and building envelope specialist with more than 40 years of experience in the construction industry. He was a pioneer in the solar industry, introduced the installation technique for field-applied closed-cell cavity-fill polyurethane foam, developed the ASTM pressurized theatrical fog quality assurance protocol, and has designed and constructed a net-zero energy research structure in Antarctica. Of his thousands of completed projects, high-profile work has included the Big Dig, the Guggenheim Museum, the four Northeast ski area Grand Hotels, the Park Avenue Armory, Kendal at Hanover, and the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. He holds four energy-related patents.
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Are You Picking Up What Your Building Is Laying Down? Getting the Vibe from Smart Grid and Sub-metering Data
Building Systems, Commercial & Residential- Ethan Goldman, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Buildings are generating more and more data, which might contain messages about how to make those buildings more efficient… if you know how to read the code. Learn how to take advantage of new visualization and analysis tools and techniques that separate the signal from the noise in data from smart meters, energy and environmental sub-meters, and other sources. Find opportunities for improvement, measure the energy savings of your efforts, and verify that those savings are maintained.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Ethan Goldman
Ethan Goldman is the energy informatics architect at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) and is the technical lead for Efficiency Vermont’s smart grid, connected thermostats, and other technologies that help consumers understand their energy data and find savings opportunities. Ethan is responsible for developing systems for acquiring, storing, and analyzing both smart meter and submeter data from utilities and building systems. He has conducted research on the impact of information feedback from energy consumption patterns and on non-intrusive load analysis using whole- building electric meters. He holds an M.S. in green informatics from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Making LED Upgrades Easy: Moving from T8 to LED + Controls
Building Systems, Commericial- Dan Mellinger, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Eric Haugaard, Cree Lighting
For interior commercial lighting, T8 fluorescent has been the leading technology for decades, and LED products are only just becoming viable in this application. The process of replacing T8s with LEDs can be confusing, and the inclusion of controls only complicates the matter. This session will provide tips on how to select and specify LED lumen output for interior ambient lighting applications. Among other things, attendees will learn to compare the attributes and benefits of LED troffers vs. retrofit kits vs. tubes. We will also discuss integrated lighting controls, a recent development that makes the inclusion of occupancy and daylight sensors simple and affordable. Manufacturers will be on hand to discuss the benefits of LED lighting with integrated control technology and to demonstrate products.
Presentation(s):
- Download the Haugaard presentation (pdf)
- Download the Mellinger presentation (pdf)
- Download the Nowakowski presentation (pdf)
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED, NCQLP Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Dan Mellinger
Dan Mellinger, PE, LC, is the lighting strategy manager at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He is responsible for designing Efficiency Vermont lighting initiatives that accelerate the adoption of efficient lighting products and practices. Dan’s 16-year professional career spans the lighting, energy, and semiconductor industries. He has consulted on hundreds of lighting projects and speaks nationally on efficient lighting topics. Dan received his degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University. He is a licensed professional engineer, and is lighting certified.
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Eric Haugaard
Eric Haugaard is the Director of Product Technology for Cree Lighting. Eric has a career that spans 28 years including previous positions of Engineering Manager of New Product Development & Mechanical Design and Product Development Engineer. Over the past decade Eric has presented lighting technology programs to diverse audiences throughout the world, including a strong focus on LED luminaire technologies. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, with Post-Baccalaureate Program studies completed at NASA/Ames Research Center. He holds 48 US and 16 foreign patents related to lighting technology.
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Design Phase Commissioning – the Advantage of Quality Assurance Before Construction
Commercial, Commercial- Brent Weigel, Cx Associates
- Matthew Napolitan, Cx Associates
Design phase commissioning is more than just a requirement for LEED certification. Design phase commissioning is the foundation of a quality assurance process that aligns a building’s design with the needs of the building owner and occupants. This presentation will outline and illustrate the essential elements of design phase commissioning and how these elements support the more well known construction phase commissioning activities. Importantly, the presenters will show how design phase commissioning can help project teams manage risk, enhance project delivery, and improve building performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Brent Weigel
Brent Weigel, PhD, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, a senior engineer at Cx Associates in Burlington, Vermont, is a mechanical and civil engineer with expertise in design, research, and commissioning. Brent has a passion for helping clients and collaborators achieve their highest potential for project delivery and building performance. Brent has experience designing mechanical building systems, performing detailed building energy simulations and calibrated modeling, and commissioning high-performance buildings. Brent holds a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is a registered professional engineer as well as a LEED-accredited professional.
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Matthew Napolitan
Matthew Napolitan, P.E., CPMP, LEED AP BD+C, brings a hands-on, collaborative approach to new and existing building commissioning that results in better project outcomes for Cx Associates’ clients. His background as a mechanical engineer, and project manager at two major multinational engineering firms, have given him a depth and breadth of knowledge. With experience in commercial, institutional, military, and healthcare work, Matt brings a well-rounded perspective to his projects, whether the goals are reduced energy, simplified maintenance, increased reliability, or all three.
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Balancing Resiliency—Resilient River Apartment
Innovative Design, Commercial & Residential- Joseph Cincotta, LineSync Architecture
The resilient design movement is gaining momentum, but much is still open for discussion and experimentation. How do you weigh up-front cost against creating buildings that can withstand natural disasters? What are the overlaps and contradictions between resilient and sustainable design practices? How can rugged materials be utilized to create humane and beautiful spaces? This 90 minute session will explore resiliency through a case study of our award-winning project. The workshop will begin with a presentation of the ‘Resilient River Apartment ’, which was rehabilitated after being ravaged by flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene. The presentation will be followed by a discussion on how lessons learned can be applied to other projects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Joseph Cincotta
Joseph Cincotta, AIA, LEED-AP, DAD, has been principal architect with LineSync Architecture in Wilmington, Vermont, for more than 25 years, a company that has focused on green architecture in public and private environments since 1988. He has lectured extensively on the topic and has taught sustainable design at Marlboro College, Keene State College, and Southern Vermont College. LineSync has a long history of recognition in awards, books, articles, and “best of” lists.
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State of the Art—High-Performance Natural Building for Cold Climates
Innovative Design, Residential- Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks Natural Building
- Ben Graham, New Frameworks Natural Building
The natural building movement has come of age, and today’s professionally executed natural buildings - those built of low-carbon, minimally-processed materials - are state-of-the-art, design-rich, well-engineered structures. Further, they can match any environmentally-responsible green building in airtightness, energy use intensity, durability, and aesthetics, all while achieving reduced levels of embodied carbon and offering social benefits that are unattainable by their industrially intensive counterparts. In this presentation we will look at case studies, design details, and real-world scenarios to explore the solutions offered by the next generation of natural buildings, with a focus on cold-climate strategies.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Jacob Deva Racusin
Jacob Deva Racusin is co-owner of New Frameworks Natural Building, LLC, offering services in green remodeling, new construction, consultation, and education featuring natural building technologies. Through his work as a builder, consultant, and educator, Jacob is able to merge his passions for fine craft, ecological stewardship, relationship to place, and social justice. An instructor at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School and BPI-certified contractor and certified Passive House consultant, Jacob has conducted field research on moisture and thermal performance of straw bale wall systems. This research is featured in the book The Natural Building Companion (2012), which Jacob co-authored with Ace McArleton.
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Ben Graham
Ben Graham’s work is the synthesis of his upbringing in community and his passion for connection with the natural world. He received his architecture degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, earned a design certificate from the Permaculture Institute of Britain, and studied Passive House with PHIUS. He has served as a member of the Plainfield Planning Commission, NaturalBuilders Northeast, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Winooski Valley Permaculture Collective, and Vermont Green Builders Network. Ben’s current passion is developing an affordable model for low-impact housing within community-based land developments.
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What We’re Learning about Mechanical Systems in Low-Load Homes
Building Systems, Residential- Marc Rosenbaum, South Mountain Company
How are air source, inverter-driven heat pumps working in low-load homes? What about heat pump water heaters? And while we’re at it, how are those energy recovery ventilators performing in real installations? We will examine the performance and subtleties of all these technologies. The presenter is a compulsive measurer, and the data collected doesn’t always match the hypothesis. We’ll also take a look at the cold climate heat pump specification. Finally, for amusement, we’ll consider some data taken from some interesting outings in measuring existing fossil fuel systems!
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, AIA LU/HSW, Passive House Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Marc Rosenbaum
Marc Rosenbaum, P.E., is a longtime student of making great buildings. He uses an integrated systems design approach to help people create buildings and communities connected to the natural world, supporting both personal and planetary health. Much of his recent work has been net-zero energy buildings, deep energy retrofits, and Passive Houses. His work has been recognized nationally by ASHRAE, AIA, EEBA, and NESEA, and he is grateful that they didn’t see all the mistakes made along the way.
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Is It LEDs All the Way? What Architects, Specifiers, and Installers Need to Know
Building Systems, Commercial & Residential- Victor Reno, RE Light Design
LED lighting has made tremendous strides in the last few years, but is it all clear and smooth sailing from now on? This presentation will discuss the state of LED lighting for the architect, specifier, and builder/installer—what is great, good, not so good, and downright bad. Are other light sources obsolete? What do the rapid changes mean for specifiers and installers? Learn what you need to know to feel relatively secure in specifying and using LED lighting.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED, NCQLP Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Victor Reno
Victor Reno, PE, IES, LEED-AP, has been involved in the energy and building professions for more than 40 years as an electrical contractor, teacher, engineer, and lighting designer. He has contributed to books and published numerous articles. Victor has been the owner/operator of Reno Engineering & Light Design for more than 20 years. Formerly an adjunct professor at Keene State College, he is currently an instructor in the architectural and engineering program at New Hampshire Technical Institute as well as a full-time lighting designer and energy consultant.
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Why Energy-Efficient Buildings Are Healthy Buildings
Building Systems, Commercial & Residential- Barry Stephens, Zehnder America, Inc
Homes and other buildings are being built to higher standards for energy efficiency. This results in tight, well-insulated structures. With proper ventilation, these buildings are becoming the benchmarks for healthy environments. Without proper ventilation, however, they can become unhealthy. This presentation will outline research into indoor air quality and its impact on health, along with describing the positive outcomes of well-designed ventilation systems.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE, Passive House Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Barry Stephens
Barry is the business development and technology director at Zehnder America, Inc. Barry has been working with energy-efficient design architects, builders, and contractors since 2010, when Zehnder launched the Comfosystems division in North America. He has worked with NZE, Passive House, Next Step Homes, LEED, and Pretty Good Houses across North America. Barry was trained in heat recovery ventilation technology at Zehnder’s facilities in Switzerland, Holland, Germany, and Italy.
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Owning the Air: Controlling and Verifying Commercial Building Airtightness
Commercial, Commercial- Matt Root, CLEAResult
Increasingly, organizations (e.g., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and building codes (2012 IECC) are implementing building enclosure airtightness performance metrics for all building types. This session will review the performance metrics associated with full building testing and describe the various protocols for conducting a building level test. We will examine the value of these tests as well as the critical steps in the design documents development process to achieve success. Case studies from recent tests ranging up to 200,000 square feet will be used to illustrate the testing process and discuss lessons learned.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED, NATE Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Matt Root
As a senior project manager for CLEAResult, Matt Root leads a multidisciplinary team of mechanical engineers, enclosure experts, and building scientists. Matt has extensive experience in enclosure and mechanical design, as well as diagnostic analysis, including large building blower door testing, duct blaster testing, pressure differential testing, infrared diagnostics, and ventilation system assessment. Matt holds M.S. and B.S. degrees from Brown University in mechanical engineering. He is a LEED AP Homes consultant , certified HERS rater, and certified Passive House consultant.
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Combining Beauty, Craftsmanship, and Energy Efficiency—Presenting Three Just-Big-Enough Houses
Innovative Design, Residential- Milford Cushman, Cushman Design Group
- Lindsay Jones, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This presentation will explore in depth the unique design-related and performance-related choices for 1) a log cabin Deep Energy Retrofit ( DER); 2) a new net-zero home in downtown Bristol, Vermont; and 3) a DER of a designer’s own home. We will share each owner’s unique story of how they wished to design their homes and then to live in a healthy space that embodies their values, their lifestyle, their physical capability, their financial capability and how they see themselves as contributing, community members.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Milford Cushman
Milford Cushman is a professional designer with more than 30 years of practice committed to creative, functional, intuitive, and efficient design solutions. When founding his design practice in 1988, Milford relied on his years as an educator, a keen observer, a builder, and a versatile designer and on the fundamental philosophy of collaboration with his studio, clients, and contractors. His strength is his understanding of how client-specific and site-specific design solutions make a significant difference in people’s lives.
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Lindsay Jones
Lindsay Jones is a Residential New Construction energy consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. She provides technical support to builders, contractors, architects, and homeowners participating in programs such as ENERGY STAR® Homes and the National Green Building Standard. Lindsay’s comprehensive and accessible approach helps her guide clients toward the best path to realizing an energy-efficient project. She is a certified energy rater and an accredited National Green Building Standard verifier. She holds a master’s degree in historic preservation from the University of Vermont.
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LEA Lake Science Center—Preservation and Energy Efficiency
Innovative Design, Commercial & Residential- William Turner, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
- Peter Lowell, Lakes Environmental Association (LEA)
During 2015, the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) of Maine renovated and preserved the beauty of a historic log structure, creating a lake science research center. The building renovation included walls, roofs, and HVAC equipment. This facility will be entered into Maine’s 1,000 Home Challenge initiative, which seeks a dramatic reduction in energy usage. In this session describing the project, blower door, infrared, CO2, and monitored energy use data will be presented.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
William Turner
William Turner received his B.S. and M.S. in engineering from Northeastern University and served for 10 years on the research staff of the Harvard University School of Public Health, conducting air quality studies inside and outside homes in six cities evaluating secondhand smoke and gas appliances. Since then he has focused on building science, sustainability, and building forensic issues, including energy use, indoor air quality, moisture, high-performance building design, net-zero design, building commissioning, and forensic evaluations. His experience includes rebuilding existing homes and other buildings and designing new buildings. He has published and lectured extensively.
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Peter Lowell
Peter Lowell graduated from Colby College in 1970 with a major in political science. Motivated by environmental abuses on Highland Lake in Maine, he became involved in the Bridgton Conservation Commission after graduation and was invited to be the Lakes Environmental Association’s (LEA’s) president in 1971. The following year, Peter was hired as LEA’s executive director. Until this position became full time, Peter worked as Bridgton’s recreation director, as a sixth grade teacher, and as Bridgton’s code enforcement officer. Peter’s work and dedication at LEA has won him numerous awards, including the DEP’s Lake Award and the EPA’s Environmental Merit Award.
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What We’re Learning in Net-Zero Energy Homes
Innovative Design, Residential- Marc Rosenbaum, South Mountain Company
We’ll look at the energy consumption by end use in a dozen or so net-zero energy capable homes, including net-zero energy, deep energy retrofit, and Passive House, annually and seasonally (and look a bit at the monitoring options used to get the data). We’ll compare that usage with production data from solar electric systems, and examine how much of the energy produced is used on site as it is produced. Finally, we’ll discuss what’s coming in battery systems and play with a new tool that looks at the effects of battery storage on energy used on site.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, AIA LU/HSW, Passive House Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Marc Rosenbaum
Marc Rosenbaum, P.E., is a longtime student of making great buildings. He uses an integrated systems design approach to help people create buildings and communities connected to the natural world, supporting both personal and planetary health. Much of his recent work has been net-zero energy buildings, deep energy retrofits, and Passive Houses. His work has been recognized nationally by ASHRAE, AIA, EEBA, and NESEA, and he is grateful that they didn’t see all the mistakes made along the way.
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High-Performance Glazing and Historic Considerations
Envelope, Commercial & Residential- John Beeman, AW Hastings & Co
- Lazarus Scangas, Arnold & Scangas Architects
This session will discuss achieving R5 ratings and meeting today’s energy standards with high-performance window glazing, while maintaining the integrity of historic characteristics of older buildings. Local case studies of the Waterbury State Office Complex and the Housing Trust of Rutland County’s Shirley Farr House will be showcased to highlight how this balance is achieved through thoughtful window design and selection.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, AIA – Pending Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
John Beeman
John Beeman specializes as a Marvin Windows and Doors product and services consultant for the architectural community. His ability to evaluate existing building conditions, combined with the architect’s vision for the project, allows him to deliver customized window and door solutions for a range of building envelope needs.
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Lazarus Scangas
Lazarus Scangas, AIA is a principal at Arnold and Scangas Architects, located in downtown St. Albans, Vermont. Arnold & Scangas Architects specialize in restoring historically significant buildings, especially in Vermont Downtown’s. The firm also specializes in working with local non-profits in restoring and renovated historic buildings including the historically restored Stanislaus School and the Waterbury Railroad Station.
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Energy Models Versus Reality—Where Did Your Savings Go?
Building Systems, Commercial- Eveline Killian, Cx Associates
- Jennifer Chiodo, Cx Associates
Energy models are valuable tools for comparing systems, components, and control strategies. But how do models compare to actual performance once buildings are operational? Learn about common causes for actual savings deviating from modeled projections based on measurement and calibrated modeling of nearly 100 recent commercial and institutional buildings that included energy efficiency upgrades. This presentation will draw from studies of completed buildings to demonstrate lessons learned for design teams, owners, modelers, and efficiency program administrators.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Eveline Killian
Eveline Killian, CEM, is an architectural engineer with more than 20 years’ experience in commercial and industrial project management and energy analysis. Eveline has extensive experience in energy-efficient building design and operation, efficiency program design and implementation, and measurement and verification (M&V) of energy efficiency measures. She has performed calibrated energy models of large commercial and institutional buildings for evaluation projects, and conducted an educational webinar on the methods of calibrated modeling. She has managed the Vermont Forward Capacity Market and other evaluation engineering teams on M&V and data analysis for more than five years.
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Jennifer Chiodo
Jennifer Chiodo, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, is the managing principal of Cx Associates, a Burlington-based consulting engineering firm. Jen has more than 30 years of experience creating and managing new approaches to increasing energy efficiency in the business sector. She currently consults on the Massachusetts energy efficiency programs and other efficiency program design and evaluation projects. Jen was a founding director of Efficiency Vermont. During her past life as a design engineer, she designed electrical and lighting systems for several noteworthy projects, including the Spaceship Earth at Disney’s Epcot Center and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
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Glare Matters—How to Control It
Building Systems, Commercial & Residential- Donna Leban, Light/Space/Design
As LEDs have become increasingly powerful, glare has moved back into the forefront of discussion in committees of the CIE and IES, the governing bodies that write lighting guidelines. How is glare defined, why does it matter, and what can be done to limit potential problems in both exterior and interior environments, particularly for aging populations? We will look at current research and proposed IES guidelines for glare control, as well as consider how to choose luminaires that effectively diffuse LED light sources.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Accreditation: AEE, AFE, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED, NCQLP, AIA LU/HSW Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Donna Leban
Donna Leban is a licensed architect and an NCQLP-certified lighting designer, and owner of Light/Space/Design of South Burlington, Vermont. Donna holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and an M.S. in advanced building studies from Carnegie Mellon University. She has served as president of AIA Vermont and on the board of state and regional environmental organizations since 1980. Donna provides lighting design and consulting services to architects, businesses, and municipal clients, as well as residential, with an emphasis on optimized lighting and control systems. She co-authored Lighting Retrofit and Relighting: A Guide to Energy Efficiency, published in 2011 by Wiley.
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Affordable Passive House Commercial Buildings—Secrets Revealed
Commercial, Commercial- Adam Cohen, Passiv Science
High-performance commercial buildings cost 10–25% more to build than conventional buildings—right? Adam Cohen of Structures Design/Build, LLC, has been designing and building commercial buildings at costs comparable to those of typical new construction and is achieving Passive House–level results. This workshop will explain the basics of using Passive House design principles for commercial buildings. It will then discuss how buildings such as dental clinics and college dormitories can be built at market rates while achieving Passive House standards. Integrated project management will be covered, as will details, equipment, controls, and ways to capture money typically left on the table.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED, Passive House Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Adam Cohen
As an active designer/builder and green building expert, Adam Cohen is a leading North American Passivhaus practitioner whose innovative work on market-rate delivery of commercial high-performance building has made his work known for projects across North America. He has presented technical papers at both national and international Passivhaus conferences. His leadership in commercial Passivhaus design has made him a sought-after speaker, consultant, and teacher of advanced courses in Passivhaus ultra-low-energy design.
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Whole Building Energy Efficiency—a Look at the Energy Champ Challenge in Burlington
Innovative Design, Residential- Brian Reilly, Burlington Electric Department
- Jeremy King, Vermont Gas
This presentation will provide an overview of the Energy Champ Challenge, a whole building approach to energy efficiency targeting multifamily buildings in Burlington. The challenge, which is co-managed by Vermont Gas and Burlington Electric Department, starts with a free energy audit and energy coaching for tenants. Once the audit is completed and the owner commits to moving forward, the program covers up to 75% of all recommended weatherization upgrades, saving some occupants thousands of dollars. The presentation will highlight lessons learned, explain financing options, and describe Burlington’s housing stock, providing weatherization contractors with insights into how to effectively address this hard-to-reach market.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Accreditation: AEE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Brian Reilly
Brian Reilly is a residential energy services engineer at BED. He is responsible for helping residential customers make informed decisions with respect to their electrical consumption and finding a way to cost-effectively reduce their energy consumption. Brian graduated from UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1997. He spent the next 10 years in Alaska working as an HVAC engineer, a builder, and an energy conservation educator. In 2007, Brian moved to Vermont and continued his work as a builder and HVAC engineer. He and his wife recently completed a deep energy retrofit of their 1890s home.
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Jeremy King
Jeremy King has been active in the residential construction industry since 1969 in various roles from digging ditches, to working in the wind-electric industry in the mid-1970s, to helping build super-insulated houses in the 1980’s and working for a prototype home performance contractor in the late 1980’s. Certified as an energy auditor in the early 90’s he was able to quit his day job and work full time as an energy auditor since 1992 for, variously: Champlain Valley Weatherization, Vermont Gas Systems, VEIC, EVT, and as an independent consultant, finally resolving the question of what he will do when he grows up.
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Interstitial Cavities—Pathways to the Unknown in Your Retrofit
Envelope, Commercial & Residential- Elliott Curtin, Weatherization And Renovation of Montpelier, LLC
- Kyle McNary, Weatherization And Renovation of Montpelier, LLC
We will explore the different types of interstitial cavities in your retrofit. We will also cover how to identify and address them correctly with diagnostic tools. These overlooked areas can be highly problematic to both homes and commercial buildings. During the remediation of a leaky building, these areas need to be addressed to reduce the symptoms they create. We will discuss the use of tools such as the infrared camera, blower door, and manometer to ensure that problems in these interstitial cavities have been resolved. This will optimize the building’s performance and reduce fuel consumption.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Elliott Curtin
Elliott Curtin is the owner of Weatherization and Renovation of Montpelier. He has been operating the business for eight years as a BPI-certified contractor. He has performed an extensive number of both commercial and residential retrofits throughout New England.
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Kyle McNary
Kyle McNary has worked for Weatherization and Renovation of Montpelier for five years. He is currently a BPI-certified auditor for the organization. Before he became an auditor he was a crew chief. He has performed numerous retrofits to homes and commercial buildings throughout New England.
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An Introduction to OLEDs—the Other Solid-State Lighting Technology
Building Systems, Commercial & Residential- Dr. John W. Curran, LED Transformations, LLC
LEDs are the main topic of conversation when it comes to lighting. However, there is another solid-state lighting family member that is starting to attract attention. Organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs, are beginning to move from being high-priced novelty products to being more mainstream illumination solutions. OLEDs offer new and exciting capabilities wherein the light becomes the luminaire. In this presentation, Jack Curran will provide an introduction for those unfamiliar with the technology. Included will be a comparison of OLEDs with LEDs, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages that OLEDs offer, as well as what the future holds for this unique technology.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED, NCQLP Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Dr. John W. Curran
Dr. Jack Curran has spent more than 25 years in the area of product development. With 32 patents issued, he has been responsible for a wide range of products. Currently he is president of LED Transformations, LLC, a New Jersey–based technology consulting company specializing in providing guidance to companies entering the solid-state lighting field. He is a member of the SPIE, IESNA, OSA, and ASA. He has given numerous talks to the lighting industry on the correct use of LED technology for general illumination applications both for his own company and on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.
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Taming the 900-Pound Gorilla: Using Integrated Design to Create a Net-Zero Dining Hall
Commercial, Commercial- Megan Nedzinski, Maclay Architects
- Bill Maclay, Maclay Architects
- Andrew Shapiro, Energy Balance, Inc.
Proctor Academy, an independent school in New Hampshire, is taking on the challenge of building a net-zero dining hall. Dining facilities have large process loads, making net zero difficult to achieve. This session will explore the mechanical and energy aspects of designing an all-electric commercial kitchen and will highlight an intensive, integrated design process employed from the outset of design. Critical considerations: make-up air (the 900-pound gorilla), cooking culture, hot water approaches, and economics. Numerous options were evaluated that used comparative energy modeling and financial analysis both to achieve net zero energy and as decision- making tools to facilitate timely, cost-effective solutions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Megan Nedzinski
Megan Nedzinski is a senior project manager at Maclay Architects. Megan considers emerging research, applied technology, and the surrounding environment to deliver high-performing projects. Analyzing and communicating the relative benefits of comparative design strategies is the focus of her work. Prior to joining Maclay, Megan drove her West Virginia firm to elevate the mission of sustainability in a coal-focused economy. She also taught courses at West Virginia University on sustainable construction and forest resource conservation. Megan is an architect, LEED-accredited professional, and certified Passive House consultant.
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Bill Maclay
Bill Maclay is the author of The New Net Zero, published by Chelsea Green in 2014, and founding principal of Maclay Architects of Waitsfield, Vermont. Bill has been recognized as a leader in innovative, ecological planning and architectural design since 1971. Maclay Architects specializes in net-zero energy design and was the recipient of the 2012 NESEA Zero Net Energy Building Award. Among the firm’s net-zero, near-net-zero, and net-zero-ready projects are NRG Systems, an office and manufacturing facility; the Bennington State Office Building; the George D. Aiken Center at the University of Vermont; the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Bosarge Family Education Center; and numerous homes.
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Andrew Shapiro
Andrew Shapiro, president of Energy Balance, Inc., has provided high-performance building energy analysis, design, and monitoring consulting services for 30 years to a wide variety of clients, including owners, architects, engineers, builders, housing developers, universities, businesses, and efficiency programs. He provides guidance and technical expertise along the path of conceptualization, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy assessment, in order to help optimize the environmental impact of the building, indoor environmental quality, operating and maintenance costs, and building durability. He is also the director of science and engineering education for the Vermont Energy Education Program, promoting energy literacy among the next generation.
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Achieving Net-Zero Energy Affordably Today—The Modular Housing Innovation Project
Innovative Design, Residential- David Pill, Pill - Maharam Architects
- Peter Schneider, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Many newer manufactured housing units suffer from poor indoor air quality, high energy costs, and overall poor construction quality. A factory in Wilder, Vermont, builds net-zero energy mobile home replacement units. This session will discuss manufactured and mobile homes, including financing and depreciation, attributes of the net-zero energy replacement modular home, the design and build process, and the comprehensive whole-house monitoring system. We will share detailed energy and environmental data collected from two years of occupancy. We will discuss design challenges associated with cost, prefabrication, and transportation of these units. We will also consider what is needed to bring the project to the Passive House level.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
David Pill
David Pill is the principal of Pill-Maharam Architects in Shelburne, Vermont. He has been involved with sustainable design practices since founding the firm in 1991. David’s passion lies in creating sculptural, pragmatic, and environmentally responsible zero-carbon-emission buildings. His work has been featured in numerous publications and has received a number of local and national awards.
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Peter Schneider
Peter Schneider works as a Senior Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation in Burlington, Vermont. He provides technical support to builders, architects, engineers, affordable housing agencies and homeowners participating in a number of different programs such as Efficiency Vermont’s High Performance Homes and Mobile Home Replacement programs, LEED for Homes and Midrise & Passive House. Peter’s goal is to help his clients design and construct more energy-efficient, healthy, durable and sustainable buildings. Peter is a certified Energy Rater, Passive House Consultant and LEED for Homes QAD.
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Innovative Opportunities for Financing Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Innovative Design, Commercial & Residential- Brian Buckley, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
- Chris Burns, Burlington Electric Department
- Mark Kelley, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This session will focus on financing options available for building retrofits related to energy efficiency and generation. The first section will broadly survey financing options available to building owners for building retrofits. The next section will discuss the Burlington Electric Department’s financing programs and incentives. The last section will discuss the varying options for financing energy upgrades available through Efficiency Vermont.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Brian Buckley
Brian Buckley is policy research and analysis associate with Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships. He focuses on expanding and maintaining policies to promote energy efficiency as a first-order resource in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. This includes research, tracking, and analysis of legislation and regulatory proceedings, providing both comment and education to the relevant stakeholders throughout the region.
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Chris Burns
Chris Burns is director of energy services for Burlington Electric Department. He is responsible for supervising the delivery of BED’s customer and residential energy service offerings to BED’s customers. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont and a longtime Burlington resident. He has more than 25 years of experience in the electric utility and energy efficiency sectors. When not thinking about energy efficiency issues, he is busy helping to raise two children and playing outdoors in our beautiful Vermont.
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Mark Kelley
Mark Kelley works within Efficiency Vermont as the program manager focused on financing. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Johnson State College with a degree in business management and accounting. He has a tremendous amount of experience working with local banking institutions to arrive at creative and organizationally sound financing mechanisms that drive business objectives. Mark has formal training and experience in program and project management and has a track record of developing strong working relationships with stakeholders.
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Multifamily Retrofits—the Path Forward for Multifamily Efficiency Programs
Innovative Design, Residential- Charlie Taylor, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
- Scott Campbell, 3E Thermal (Formerly Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership)
- Christa Shute, Commons Energy
This panel will highlight the successes and barriers faced by two innovative organizations working to retrofit Vermont’s aging low-income multifamily housing stock. Case studies and detailed program-level savings data will be presented to provide insight into 3E Thermal’s efforts to date. Commons Energy will cover its unique public-purpose energy services company (PPESCO) approach to financing and guaranteeing energy efficiency projects. We will explore the huge opportunity to increase retrofits in this historically underserved market and identify policies for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions that would ensure deep energy savings and long-term program sustainability.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Charlie Taylor
Charlie Taylor works with the high-performance buildings team at NEEP to provide research and analysis on programs and policies that drive energy efficiency in the built environment. In this role he compiles data, develops resources, and provides technical guidance to advocates, energy offices, and policy makers. Prior to joining NEEP, Charlie conducted hundreds of residential energy assessments in Massachusetts as an energy auditor. He is a certified building analyst with the Building Performance Institute (BPI) and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
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Scott Campbell
Scott Campbell is project director of 3E Thermal, energy efficiency experts for Vermont’s apartment housing (formerly Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership). The company provides technical support and incentive funding to owners of affordable multifamily properties statewide. 3E’s mission is to help owners achieve much greater energy performance, by coordinating with the Weatherization Program , Efficiency Vermont, and other programs, and by providing cash incentives, close support, and inspection services. Scott’s background is as a builder, contractor, building designer, and weatherization program director. He has presented at national and regional conferences, and is the author of the Building Energy Audit and Savings Estimate Tool (BEAST), approved by the US Dept of Energy and used by the Vermont Weatherization Program.
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Christa Shute
Commons Energy
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Evaluating Heat Pump Efficiency
Building Systems, Commercial & Residential- Carsten Steenberg, PowerWise, CEO
PowerWise Systems is undertaking a state-funded study to evaluate the efficiency of heat pumps. In this presentation, we will explain the monitoring configurations for different heat pumps, how to ensure consistent data streams, how to use wireless communications to simplify installation, and how to calculate energy efficiency ratio and coefficient of performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Carsten Steenberg
Carsten Steenberg, PowerWise CEO, is a proven innovator of monitoring technologies. He co-invented the eMonitor (now known as SiteSage) in 2008. Carsten is experienced in bringing together a talented team of software and hardware developers, engineers, and salespeople to create a strong company. Before founding Powerhouse Dynamics and PowerWise Systems, Steenberg was president of Phase One, a high-end digital camera company. Steenberg has an MBA from Copenhagen Business School in his native Denmark, and lives with his wife and two children in Penobscot, Maine.
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Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Performance of 21 Vermont Homes
Building Systems, Residential- Ty Newell, Build Equinox
- Peter Schneider, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Efficiency Vermont and Build Equinox have monitored and analyzed 21 Vermont homes. Fourteen homes are identically constructed, manufactured homes that provide a rich collection of data for examining occupancy impact. All homes included in this study have achieved significant gains in energy performance relative to conventionally constructed homes while maintaining excellent indoor environmental quality. The presentation will showcase data and analyses from the homes that describe the air quality, comfort, and energy usage of the homes.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, NATE Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Ty Newell
Ty Newell is professor emeritus of mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois and a co-owner of Build Equinox and Verde GSE (verdegse.com). He has more than 40 years of experience working in building science, renewable energy, energy conversion, and energy efficiency. Ty lives in a 100% solar-powered home in Urbana, Illinois, and Build Equinox is a 100% solar-powered 4,500-square-foot facility in Urbana.
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Peter Schneider
Peter Schneider works as a Senior Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation in Burlington, Vermont. He provides technical support to builders, architects, engineers, affordable housing agencies and homeowners participating in a number of different programs such as Efficiency Vermont’s High Performance Homes and Mobile Home Replacement programs, LEED for Homes and Midrise & Passive House. Peter’s goal is to help his clients design and construct more energy-efficient, healthy, durable and sustainable buildings. Peter is a certified Energy Rater, Passive House Consultant and LEED for Homes QAD.
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Keys to Marketing High-Performance Homes
Building Systems, Residential- Peter Troast, Energy Circle
The term high-performance home can mean many things to a consumer looking to build or retrofit an existing home, especially in a growing marketplace of recognizable brands, such as Passive House, net zero, and others. We’ll review how consumers identify the high-performance home, look at who is buying, and discuss how to reach the top three kinds of buyers in the sustainable building arena. We’ll also consider websites that generate leads, and review the latest trends in website functionality, from user-centric web design to compelling project case studies. You will learn what you need to bring your company to the forefront of this expanding market.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Troast
Peter is recognized as one of the country’s foremost authorities on marketing for home performance, HVAC, and other efficiency-related contracting companies. He and his team work with more than 350 companies in 49 states to help grow their business through services such as website design and development, search engine optimization, lead generation, and strategic content production. He is a popular and high-ranking speaker on marketing for contractors at ACI, RESNET, ACCA, BPI, and EGIA conferences and events. In 2015, he received the Tony Woods Award for excellence in advancing the home performance industry.
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The State of the Art—Present-Day Building Automation Systems (BAS)
Building Systems, Commercial- Rick Stehmeyer, Cx Associates
It’s 2016 and hyper-connectivity has become the norm. It’s easy for everyday professionals to lose themselves amid growing feature sets and new technologies. Rick Stehmeyer, a 12-year veteran of the controls industry in Vermont and New York City, will discuss the current landscape of Building Automation Systems (BAS) and their offerings from a practical perspective. We’ll explore the dichotomy created by computer systems evolving exponentially over the expected life span of a BMS. We’ll also cover how to future-proof your system and avoid red flags hidden from the everyday business owner and design engineer.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Rick Stehmeyer
Rick Stehmeyer is a senior engineer at Cx Associates in Burlington, Vermont. Rick is an expert in building system controls programming and has extensive experience with many different control systems, systems integrations, and energy management systems. Rick has a keen ability to find ways to optimize building systems for increased efficiency through controls programming. His analyses of algorithms implemented by controls contractors have enabled the energy efficiency optimization of the controls systems during commissioning.
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Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) at the Waterbury State Office Complex—Lessons Learned from the Perspectives of Architect, Builder, and Commissioning Agent
Commercial, Commercial- Jon Haehnel, Zero by Degrees
- Jesse Robbins, Freeman French Freeman, Inc.
- Andrew Shapiro, Energy Balance, Inc.
- Anne Minor, PC Construction Company
Learn about the building enclosure commissioning (BECx) process for over 200,000 square feet of new and gut rehab historic construction on a tight time schedule. BECxA / owner / contractor / architect collaboration was vitally important, especially the meetings with the subcontractors to facilitate materials compatibility and to optimize sequencing issues. The technology used on this project, which included having updated “conformed” drawing sets accessible anywhere on the construction site, was instrumental in making this complicated project work. We will share the successes and challenges of keeping this project as true to the design intent as possible in the real world!
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Jon Haehnel
Jon Haehnel has been testing and inspecting institutional and commercial buildings for more than 13 years. Jon has tested buildings ranging in size from a city block in Manhattan to an 81-square-foot automated weather station slated for Antarctica. Jon’s expertise is in building envelope testing and design. Most of his work focuses on new and retrofit commercial and institutional construction, but he also does forensic testing to determine the root cause of high energy costs, mold, ice dams, and pipe freeze-ups. Jon is a certified Building Performance Institute (BPI) building analyst and envelope specialist and a Level I thermographer. Jon has taught blower door and energy auditor classes for Vermont Technical College.
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Jesse Robbins
Jesse Robbins, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a project architect for the Waterbury State Office Complex. Early in his career at SmithGroup in Washington, D.C., he worked on the first LEED Platinum building. He joined Freeman French Freeman in Burlington and became a founding board member and president of the Vermont Green Building Network, a USGBC chapter. His project experience includes the National Institutes of Health, the Smithsonian Institution, the UVM Medical Center, and five LEED-certified projects in Burlington, at UVM, and at Norwich University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Syracuse University.
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Andrew Shapiro
Andrew Shapiro, president of Energy Balance, Inc., has provided high-performance building energy analysis, design, and monitoring consulting services for 30 years to a wide variety of clients, including owners, architects, engineers, builders, housing developers, universities, businesses, and efficiency programs. He provides guidance and technical expertise along the path of conceptualization, design, construction, commissioning, and post-occupancy assessment, in order to help optimize the environmental impact of the building, indoor environmental quality, operating and maintenance costs, and building durability. He is also the director of science and engineering education for the Vermont Energy Education Program, promoting energy literacy among the next generation.
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Anne Minor
Anne Minor, LEED AP BD+C, office engineer, is enrolled in the Leadership Development program at PC Construction. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering and an MBA in supply chain management. Her construction experience includes field-supervising site crews in New York City on a $600 million bridge project and handling submittals, RFIs, schedules, change orders, and quality control on the Waterbury State Office Complex (WSOC) project in Waterbury, Vermont. Anne has been assigned to WSOC since the project started in August 2013.
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Commercial Net Zero–Design and Construction Lessons Learned through Efficiency Vermont’s Commercial Net Zero Pilot Program, Part 1
Commercial, Commercial- Chris Huston, BreadLoaf Corporation
- Bill Maclay, William Maclay Architects & Planners
- Ashar Nelson, Vermont Integrated Architecture
- David Roy, Wiemann-Lamphere Architects
- Craig Simmons, Vermont Energy Investment Corp.
- Jeff Stetter, Gossens Bachman Architects
- Nick Thiltgen, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This extended session will discuss the commercial net-zero design and construction process as experienced through five projects that are currently participating in Efficiency Vermont’s Net Zero Pilot Program. This is a rare opportunity to explore a wide variety of net-zero targeted projects and personalities and gain insight into the successes and difficulties of each. The presenters will provide an overview of each project, but the discussion will focus on lessons learned about designing and building for commercial net zero performance in Vermont. Come learn effective methods for implementing commercial net zero.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Huston
Chris is the Vice President of Architecture at Bread Loaf Corporation and has been practicing architecture for over 24 years. Since joining Bread Loaf in 2004, he has managed a wide range of projects from simple to more complicated, multi-phased projects over $40 million. Working in an award winning architectural firm in Boston for 14 years prior to joining Bread Loaf, Chris led the firm's sustainable design initiatives for significant public and private schools. Chris is a firm believer that we can all have a positive impact on our environment. He is currently working on several net zero energy projects in Vermont.
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Bill Maclay
Bill Maclay is the author of The New Net Zero, published by Chelsea Green in 2014, and founding principal of Maclay Architects of Waitsfield, Vermont. Bill has been recognized as a leader in innovative, ecological planning and architectural design since 1971. Maclay Architects specializes in net-zero energy design and was the recipient of the 2012 NESEA Zero Net Energy Building Award. Among the firm’s net-zero, near-net-zero, and net-zero-ready projects are NRG Systems, an office and manufacturing facility; the Bennington State Office Building; the George D. Aiken Center at the University of Vermont; the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Bosarge Family Education Center; and numerous homes.
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Ashar Nelson
Ashar Nelson, AIA, LEED AP, is a lifelong Vermonter with over two decades of experience in design and construction. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in art history from Middlebury College and a Master’s Degree in architecture from the University of Oregon. Ashar worked for many years in the construction industry and in 2011 ended a 12-year stint as an architect at Bread Loaf Corporation where he designed and managed projects both large and small, including the new $34 million Paretsky Student Center at Williams College. As a Principal Architect at VIA and faculty member in the Architectural Studies program at Middlebury College, he is committed to promoting sustainable building designs and innovative construction methods for all his projects. Ashar believes that an integrated design process, representing building users, constructors, estimators, and craftsmen, as well as design professionals, is essential in achieving high-performance buildings.
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David Roy
David earn his Associates Degree in architecture & building engineering technology at Vermont Technical College in 1988 and his Bachelor Degree of architecture at Kansas State University in 1992. David worked for an architecture firm in Wichita Kansas until October 1994, when he moved back to Vermont and joined the team at Wiemann Lamphere Architects. Just seven years later he was made a partner and in 2014 he took over as President of the firm. He and his brother, Vice President Steven Roy, represent the next generation of leaders at Wiemann Lamphere and have brought creative sustainable solutions to the forefront of the firm’s design philosophy and core values. From their own Net-Zero homes to energy efficient municipality buildings, they are focused on the future of design and how the built environment affects us but the environment at large. Dave enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, knee boarding and boating in his spare time.
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Craig Simmons
Craig Simmons has more than nine years’ experience in whole building energy analysis, computer simulations, utility programs, and code compliance. As an engineering consultant at Efficiency Vermont, Craig advises on and analyzes energy efficiency improvements in new construction and existing commercial and industrial buildings. Craig specializes in commercial new construction programs, including Efficiency Vermont’s net-zero pilot program. Craig previously worked as an energy consultant in Boston, providing guidance to owners and designers in pursuit of LEED certification, utility incentive programs, federal tax credits, and compliance with state energy efficiency requirements throughout New England and internationally.
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Jeff Stetter
Jeff is the son of a carpenter. Building, Design, and Art have always been a part of his life. While attending the University of Cincinnati's School of Architecture, and going thru its co-operative education program, Jeff met Gregg Gossens while working at the Burley Partnership in Waitsfield. After completing school and working at a variety of firms, Jeff landed at Gossens Bachman Architects in 1994 and continues to work at the firm as a Project Architect. Jeff has been instrumental in the completion of multiple LEED and high performance buildings, and has helped establish the firm as a design leader. Projects include LEED certified Waterfront Housing on the Burlington waterfront, LEED Gold VSECU Branch in Rutland, Montpelier's Bio-Mass Plant, and most recently Northfield Savings Bank Central Operations Center which is enrolled in Efficiency Vermont's Net Zero program. Jeff lives in Montpelier with his wife and 2 children.
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Nick Thiltgen
Nick Thiltgen is an energy consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation specializing in commercial new construction. He focuses on HVAC and is also knowledgeable about lighting and building envelope. For the last five years, Nick has worked primarily through the nation’s oldest and leading statewide energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont. He is Vermont’s first licensed architectural engineer, is a LEED-accredited professional, and holds a B.S. in both construction management and architectural engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
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All About Windows
Envelope, Residential- Mike Duclos, DEAP Energy Group, LLC
Windows could well be the most important architectural element in a home, affecting the appearance, comfort, energy use, ventilation, cost, maintenance, and overall enjoyment of our homes in a number of ways—some not so obvious. Window “language,” design, construction, energy balance, and performance specification will be discussed, along with ways of evaluating the solar resource. Data from five homes will be used to explore the energy, comfort, durability, HVAC impact, and passive survivability impact of window performance. High-performance window prices are dropping, and some new products have impressive price/performance points. Attendee questions and discussion are encouraged in this interactive session.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Mike Duclos
Mike Duclos is a principal and founder of the DEAP Energy Group, LLC, a consultancy providing a wide variety of consulting services related to deep energy retrofit, zero net energy, and Passive House. Mike is the PHIUS-Certified Passive House Consultant responsible for the design and certification of the second certified Passive House in Massachusetts and has worked with both PHIUS and PHA on multiple Passive Houses. He is a certified PHIUS Plus rater, a HERS rater with the Massachusetts. Residential New Construction program, and a Building Science-certified infrared thermographer. He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from UMass Lowell, and two patents.
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Designing for Performance—A Data-Driven Approach to Complete Building Performance
Envelope, Commercial & Residential- Paul Malko, Foard Panel, Inc.
A building's performance can be measured in many ways. Minimal energy consumption is a key performance goal, but it should not compromise the structural integrity or long-term durability of the building. Sometimes, the components required to meet the building's performance goals can conflict with one another. This session will present examples and concise studies to help the designer choose the best compromise for his or her project. The presentation will compare the impact of different details on whole- building energy consumption.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Paul Malko
Paul Malko has worked at Foard Panel, a structural insulated panel manufacturer and installer, for more than 11 years. He works with residential and commercial clients to optimize durability, structure, and energy performance. Paul has lectured extensively on SIP design, structural performance, and long-term durability in New England. He is the chairman of the SIPA code listing committee and a member of the manufacturing and technical committees. Paul has been deeply involved with the Timber Framers Guild for more than 15 years, is a founding member of the Timber Frame Engineering Council, and has been a board member of the Timber Frame Business Council.
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Better Than Before—HVAC System Improvements via Engineered Retrofits
Building Systems, Commercial- Brent Weigel, Cx Associates
- Matthew Napolitan, Cx Associates
The inevitable replacement of HVAC equipment opens up opportunities for engineered retrofits that improve system-level HVAC performance. The presenters will show how to take a systems-level approach to equipment replacement scenarios to reduce both the first cost and the operating cost of HVAC equipment. The presenters will share real-world examples of engineered retrofits of HVAC systems. The example projects illustrate the application of new, higher-efficiency HVAC technologies, and how these technologies can enable engineered retrofits of HVAC systems with improved life-cycle performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED, NATE Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Brent Weigel
Brent Weigel, PhD, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, a senior engineer at Cx Associates in Burlington, Vermont, is a mechanical and civil engineer with expertise in design, research, and commissioning. Brent has a passion for helping clients and collaborators achieve their highest potential for project delivery and building performance. Brent has experience designing mechanical building systems, performing detailed building energy simulations and calibrated modeling, and commissioning high-performance buildings. Brent holds a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is a registered professional engineer as well as a LEED-accredited professional.
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Matthew Napolitan
Matt is a mechanical engineer with over 15 years of experience in energy efficient building design and operations. His commissioning experience includes major renovations, new construction, and retrocommissioning of commercial, industrial, educational, health care, and military facilities. Mr. Napolitan has extensive expertise in HVAC system efficiency and DDC controls optimization, as well as experience delivering meaningful, permanent measurement and verification systems. Mr. Napolitan has been the mechanical design engineer and project manager on nearly $1 billion worth of construction.
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Commercial Net Zero–Design and Construction Lessons Learned through Efficiency Vermont’s Commercial Net Zero Pilot Program, Part 2
Commercial, Commercial- Chris Huston, BreadLoaf Corporation
- Bill Maclay, William Maclay Architects & Planners
- Ashar Nelson, Vermont Integrated Architecture
- David Roy, Wiemann-Lamphere Architects
- Craig Simmons, Vermont Energy Investment Corp.
- Jeff Stetter, Gossens Bachman Architects
- Nick Thiltgen, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This extended session will discuss the commercial net-zero design and construction process as experienced through five projects that are currently participating in Efficiency Vermont’s Net Zero Pilot Program. This is a rare opportunity to explore a wide variety of net-zero targeted projects and personalities and gain insight into the successes and difficulties of each. The presenters will provide an overview of each project, but the discussion will focus on lessons learned about designing and building for commercial net zero performance in Vermont. Come learn effective methods for implementing commercial net zero.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AFE, AIA, LU/HSW, ASHRAE, CSI, LEED Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Huston
Chris is the Vice President of Architecture at Bread Loaf Corporation and has been practicing architecture for over 24 years. Since joining Bread Loaf in 2004, he has managed a wide range of projects from simple to more complicated, multi-phased projects over $40 million. Working in an award winning architectural firm in Boston for 14 years prior to joining Bread Loaf, Chris led the firm's sustainable design initiatives for significant public and private schools. Chris is a firm believer that we can all have a positive impact on our environment. He is currently working on several net zero energy projects in Vermont.
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Bill Maclay
Bill Maclay is the author of The New Net Zero, published by Chelsea Green in 2014, and founding principal of Maclay Architects of Waitsfield, Vermont. Bill has been recognized as a leader in innovative, ecological planning and architectural design since 1971. Maclay Architects specializes in net-zero energy design and was the recipient of the 2012 NESEA Zero Net Energy Building Award. Among the firm’s net-zero, near-net-zero, and net-zero-ready projects are NRG Systems, an office and manufacturing facility; the Bennington State Office Building; the George D. Aiken Center at the University of Vermont; the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Bosarge Family Education Center; and numerous homes.
-
Ashar Nelson
Ashar Nelson, AIA, LEED AP, is a lifelong Vermonter with over two decades of experience in design and construction. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in art history from Middlebury College and a Master’s Degree in architecture from the University of Oregon. Ashar worked for many years in the construction industry and in 2011 ended a 12-year stint as an architect at Bread Loaf Corporation where he designed and managed projects both large and small, including the new $34 million Paretsky Student Center at Williams College. As a Principal Architect at VIA and faculty member in the Architectural Studies program at Middlebury College, he is committed to promoting sustainable building designs and innovative construction methods for all his projects. Ashar believes that an integrated design process, representing building users, constructors, estimators, and craftsmen, as well as design professionals, is essential in achieving high-performance buildings.
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David Roy
David earn his Associates Degree in architecture & building engineering technology at Vermont Technical College in 1988 and his Bachelor Degree of architecture at Kansas State University in 1992. David worked for an architecture firm in Wichita Kansas until October 1994, when he moved back to Vermont and joined the team at Wiemann Lamphere Architects. Just seven years later he was made a partner and in 2014 he took over as President of the firm. He and his brother, Vice President Steven Roy, represent the next generation of leaders at Wiemann Lamphere and have brought creative sustainable solutions to the forefront of the firm’s design philosophy and core values. From their own Net-Zero homes to energy efficient municipality buildings, they are focused on the future of design and how the built environment affects us but the environment at large. Dave enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, knee boarding and boating in his spare time.
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Craig Simmons
Craig Simmons has more than nine years’ experience in whole building energy analysis, computer simulations, utility programs, and code compliance. As an engineering consultant at Efficiency Vermont, Craig advises on and analyzes energy efficiency improvements in new construction and existing commercial and industrial buildings. Craig specializes in commercial new construction programs, including Efficiency Vermont’s net-zero pilot program. Craig previously worked as an energy consultant in Boston, providing guidance to owners and designers in pursuit of LEED certification, utility incentive programs, federal tax credits, and compliance with state energy efficiency requirements throughout New England and internationally.
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Jeff Stetter
Jeff is the son of a carpenter. Building, Design, and Art have always been a part of his life. While attending the University of Cincinnati's School of Architecture, and going thru its co-operative education program, Jeff met Gregg Gossens while working at the Burley Partnership in Waitsfield. After completing school and working at a variety of firms, Jeff landed at Gossens Bachman Architects in 1994 and continues to work at the firm as a Project Architect. Jeff has been instrumental in the completion of multiple LEED and high performance buildings, and has helped establish the firm as a design leader. Projects include LEED certified Waterfront Housing on the Burlington waterfront, LEED Gold VSECU Branch in Rutland, Montpelier's Bio-Mass Plant, and most recently Northfield Savings Bank Central Operations Center which is enrolled in Efficiency Vermont's Net Zero program. Jeff lives in Montpelier with his wife and 2 children.
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Nick Thiltgen
Nick Thiltgen is an energy consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation specializing in commercial new construction. He focuses on HVAC and is also knowledgeable about lighting and building envelope. For the last five years, Nick has worked primarily through the nation’s oldest and leading statewide energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont. He is Vermont’s first licensed architectural engineer, is a LEED-accredited professional, and holds a B.S. in both construction management and architectural engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
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How to Build High-Performance Homes for Less Than $150/Square Foot
Innovative Design, Residential- Nate Hayward, Hayward Design Build
- Matt Sargent, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Net-zero and high-performance homes are being constructed every day, and interest in these buildings is at an all-time high. This advanced session will present techniques used on dozens of projects that keep the costs down and the performance up. Efficiency Vermont has recently revised its high-performance home certification requirements in ways that help make high-performance building viable in today’s market. Join the discussion with Matt Sargent as he reveals cost-effective building assemblies, mechanical systems, and design concepts for today’s high-performance homes.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Accreditation: AEE, AIA, LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Nate Hayward
Nate Hayward was inspired by taking a net-zero energy building course with Marc Rosenbaum. His first high-performance home project was a steep financial learning curve, but Nate was not discouraged, considering it the price of his HPH education. His company has now constructed more than six high-performance homes, including a Passive House. He will be breaking ground on a high-performance community health center this spring. Through his commitment to energy performance, continuous improvement, and partnerships with Efficiency Vermont and other subcontractors, Nate aspires to lead the field in cost-effective high-performance building, making it accessible to the mainstream, not just the select few.
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Matt Sargent
Matt Sargent is a senior energy consultant at Efficiency Vermont. He is a former builder of high- performance homes and a Best of the Best award winner at BBD 2004. He has more than 20 years of experience working as an energy efficiency consultant. Matt worked on the development of Efficiency Vermont’s High-Performance Homes Program and has been helping builders and homeowners create homes that use a fraction of the energy of a typical new home while maintaining comfort, durability, and indoor air quality.
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Passive House Strategies—Outside the Box
Innovative Design, Commercial & Residential- William Ryall, Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects
- Ted Sheridan, Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects
The Passive House approach to energy-efficient design is rapidly gaining popularity in Vermont. This approach typically reduces heating and cooling requirements to about 20% of standard code construction. But Passive House methods also tend to reduce architectural forms to very condensed, basic volumes. These effects can prove challenging to architects, who often wish to develop articulated plans, maximize balanced natural light, and create interesting architectural volumes. This presentation is designed to demonstrate strategies and specific methods for opening up the Passive House to more ambitious formal and natural lighting goals that offer greater experiential and aesthetic opportunities for designers and occupants.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Accreditation: AEE, AIA LU, ASHRAE, BPI, CSI, LEED, Passive House Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
William Ryall
William Ryall, AIA VT, LEED, PHIUS, attended Cornell University for his undergraduate architectural studies and received a master of architecture degree from the University of Virginia, where he serves on the architecture school’s advisory board. William has participated in numerous architectural juries and has taught integrated building systems at the Rhode Island School of Design. He is certified as a Passive House consultant through the Passive House Institute (PHI).
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Ted Sheridan
Ted Sheridan, AIA VT, ASA, LEED AP, is a partner at Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects. He earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and his professional architecture degree at the University of Waterloo, in Waterloo, Canada. Ted’s areas of expertise include high-performance, low-energy building design and the science of architectural and musical acoustics. An instrument maker and musician, he has taught courses on architectural acoustics and musical instrument physics at the Parsons School of Design in New York, and has lectured on the subjects at the University of Virginia, Ryerson University, the University of Toronto, and New York University.
2015 Conference Presentations
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Introduction to the 2015 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards
Building Envelope, Commercial- Keith Downes, Navigant
- Tim Guiterman, Energy Savvy
- Barry Murphy, Vermont Public Service Department
- Stu Slote, Navigant
- Nick Thiltgen, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This presentation will provide an overview of the updated commercial energy code, the 2015 Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES), as well as information about new construction opportunities offered by Efficiency Vermont. We will highlight the major changes to the state’s energy code and discuss the impacts on your upcoming commercial building projects. Owners, architects, engineers, and contractors will also learn about new construction assistance and incentives offered by Efficiency Vermont.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Keith Downes
Keith Downes is an associate director for Navigant Consulting in the customers and markets practice area. Keith advises utilities across North America in both program design and program evaluation, and conducts best practice studies and baseline/potential studies. Prior to Navigant, he was an energy advisor at Efficiency Vermont specializing in commercial new construction projects. Keith earned an M.S. in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University and is a certified energy manager. In February and March, Keith will deliver four to six commercial building energy standards trainings in Vermont as part of VEIC’s “Vermont Energy Code Education, Outreach, and Training” grant agreement with the State of Vermont.
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Tim Guiterman
Tim Guiterman is the Director of EM&V Solutions for EnergySavvy, a leader in enterprise software for the utility industry. Purpose-built for demand-side management (DSM), EnergySavvy’s Optix DSM system provides breakthrough customer engagement, automated program delivery and modern analytics and quantification. Tim is the senior subject matter expert for Optix Quantify, a software solution that that enables real-time data collection and M&V analysis for utilities and evaluators. Tim previously worked for Navigant in their Burlington, VT office and, on behalf of the state of Vermont, led the technical development of the 2015 Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES), and previously led Navigant’s effort to develop the 2011 Vermont CBES.
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Barry Murphy
Barry Murphy is a Civil Engineer and the EM&V Program Manager at the Vermont Public Service Department.
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Stu Slote
Stu Slote is an Associate Director with Navigant in Burlington, Vermont. Stu has over 25 years of experience in the energy efficiency industry His areas of expertise include design of, implementation support for, and evaluation of demand-side programs; assessment, screening, and promotion of energy efficiency markets and measures; and building energy codes development, adoption, implementation and assessment. Prior to Navigant, Stu was a Senior Consultant with Summit Blue Consulting. He served as Technical Director for EnSave. Stu also worked as a Senior Analyst at Optimal Energy. Additionally, he worked for Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc. as the first Northeast Regional Building Energy Codes Project Manager. Stu also worked as an Energy Engineer for the State of Vermont Department of Public Service. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador, installing and teaching about appropriate technology projects. Stu received a MA in Public Administration from the University of Vermont, Burlington, and a BS in Energy-Appropriate Technology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
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Nick Thiltgen
Nick is an Energy Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He specializes in commercial new construction, and though focusing on HVAC, is also knowledgeable of lighting and building envelope. For the last five years, Nick has worked primarily through the nation’s oldest and leading statewide energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont. He is Vermont’s first licensed Architectural Engineer, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and holds a BS in both Construction Management and Architectural Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
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Trends in Multifamily Affordable Construction in Cold Climates
Building Envelope, Cold Climate Construction, Residential- Sam Beall, Cathedral Square Corporation
- James Lewis, Heartland Housing
- Mark Matel, Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation
The Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship helps place young architects within affordable housing organizations across the country. At the forefront of energy efficiency and management, many affordable housing developers design, construct, and operate their own properties. The three panelists have worked on a variety of projects that are pushing the boundaries of efficient design within affordable housing. In Madison, Wisconsin, James Lewis is working to build a new multifamily project using passive house principles and solar arrays to achieve a net-zero energy building. Mark Matel is working in Boston on smaller infill homes, also using passive house principles. In Richmond, Vermont, Sam Beall has managed a deep energy retrofit of an existing senior apartment building to decrease energy costs and increase resident comfort.
Presentation(s):
- Trends in Multifamily Affordable Construction in Cold Climates.pdf
- Trends in Multifamily Affordable Construction in Cold Climates MM.pdf
- Trends in Multifamily Affordable Construction in Cold Climates 3.pdf
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Sam Beall
Sam Beall is an Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow working on affordable senior housing in Vermont. His host organization, Cathedral Square Corporation, has provided safe, healthy, and affordable homes for seniors in Vermont since 1979. A licensed architect, Sam studied architecture at the University of Virginia (March ‘09, BSArch ‘04), investigating sustainable senior housing for his Master’s thesis. He worked at architecture firms in New York City and San Francisco before moving to Vermont to work with Cathedral Square. During his fellowship Sam has managed the retrofit of Richmond Terrace, a senior apartment building in Richmond, VT.
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James Lewis
James Lewis joined Heartland Housing in 2014 as an Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow with the goal of integrating sustainable practices into design, construction and management of Heartland’s properties. He is developing a net zero energy model for future housing projects to reduce operation costs while increasing resident comfort. A licensed architect and a Certified Passive House Consultant, he earned a MArch from the University of Wisconsin and a BSArch from Washington University in St. Louis. He has received several design competition awards, including recognition by Architecture for Humanity and the Urban Land Institute; he also has published work in Architectural Record.
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Mark Matel
Mark Matel is a project manager at Nuestra Comunidad. His primary role at Nuestra CDC is overseeing the redevelopment of Bartlett Yards and small scale passive house homeownership units. Mark has leveraged over 6.5 million dollars in both development and construction financing for Bartlett. Prior to starting his Rose Fellowship, Mark practiced as a designer at architecture firm, cost estimator at construction firm and as a neighborhood advocate in Norfolk, VA. Mark holds a Master in Architecture from Hampton University and a Master of Design Build from Auburn University.
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How Can Stakeholders Effectively Differentiate Ductless Heat Pumps That Perform at Low Temperatures?
Mechanical Systems, Residential- Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
- David Lis, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
The current performance metric (HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) alone does not provide enough information to differentiate products that can operate efficiently during the cold winter weather typical of our region. In this session, we will hear how a regional effort set out to develop supplemental performance metrics in order to tell a more complete story of ductless heat pump performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Richard Faesy
Richard Faesy is a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group in Hinesburg, Vermont. As a Certified Energy Rater and LEED Accredited Professional, he specializes in residential buildings, technologies and markets, with a focus on residential new construction and retrofits, energy rating and labeling, ENERGY STAR Homes, building codes, energy efficiency financing, green building and effective energy efficiency policy, program design and implementation. He currently works with clients in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, the U.S. federal government and others.
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David Lis
Dave oversees NEEP’s Market Strategies team, which is currently focused on Residential Lighting, Business and Consumer Electronics, Emerging Technologies and Appliance Standards. In this capacity, Dave provides strategic direction for the teams development, management and integration with other NEEP teams. Dave has lead the development of numerous market transformation strategy reports. NEEP’s Market Strategy Reports provide regional guidance on how to best accelerate market adoption of specified products throughout the region. Between 2012 and 2013, the Market Strategies team developed Regional Strategy reports for Residential Lighting, Business and Consumer Electrics, Heat Pump Water Heaters and Air-Source Heat Pumps.
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State of the Commercial Lighting Market in Vermont
Lighting, Commercial- Dan Mellinger, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Have you ever wondered just how much success Efficiency Vermont and its partner lighting professionals have had in the commercial lighting market? Are you curious about what level of efficiency opportunity remains, if any, for commercial lighting in Vermont? If any opportunity does remain, when will it become viable, and how will we capture it? These questions and others were recently explored during an analysis of the Vermont commercial lighting market. The project looked at the Vermont market’s past, present, and future in an attempt to quantify existing assumptions and provide insight for future strategies. Part technology, part marketing, and part economics, this comprehensive analysis will provide you with a fresh perspective on commercial lighting.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Dan Mellinger
Dan Mellinger is the Lighting Strategy Manager at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He is responsible for designing Efficiency Vermont lighting initiatives that accelerate the adoption of energy efficient lighting products and practices. Dan has more than 15 years of professional and managerial experience in the lighting and semiconductor industries. He has consulted on hundreds of lighting projects and speaks nationally on efficient lighting topics. Dan received his degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University, is a licensed Professional Engineer in Vermont, is NCQLP Lighting Certified, and is a member of IESNA.
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Building Durability into High-Performance Buildings
Innovations & High Performance, Residential & Commercial- Paul Malko, Foard Panel, Inc.
All buildings have many systems. The higher the performance of the building, the more important it is for these systems to work in harmony. Otherwise, performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness can suffer. This session will be a discussion of how to reach the best balance of integrated system performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Paul Malko
Paul is the technical director for Foard Panel, a SIP manufacturer and installer in Chesterfield, NH and has been with Foard for more than 10 years. He is chairman of the SIPA Code Listing- and Durability Research-Committees, and an active member of the Manufacturer's- and Technical Action-Committees The presentations offered are drawn from 10 years of on-site investigations and consultation by Paul, Bo Foard, and the rest of the Foard Panel staff.
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The Top 10 Cold-Climate Building Trends That Need to Become Systems
Innovations and High Performance, Cold Climate Construction, Residential- Eli Gould, Ironwood Brand, LLC
In this presentation, we will see some of the leading-edge projects for which a firm has developed prototype assemblies and systems. We call for the broader green building community and manufacturers to help us take the next steps toward affordability with system approaches, integrated design, and off-site prefabrication.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Eli Gould
Eli Gould left his hometown in southern Vermont twenty years ago to pioneer what was then a new degree track at Yale University, combining architecture and environmental studies. He returned home and founded the vertically integrated company Ironwood Brand, combining native lumber, high performance prefab, and advanced mechanical systems. In recent years he has led some of the highest performing residential buildings in the region, and developed a unique reputation for design and development of new construction assemblies and systems, including a nationally publicized leadership project for Alex Wilson and a .22ACH 50 Passivehaus envelope.
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2015 Updates to the Vermont Residential Energy Code & Efficiency Vermont’s New Construction Service
Building Envelope, Residential- Chris Gordon, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Dave Keefe, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This session will provide attendees with an update on recent changes to Vermont’s Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES—Vermont’s residential energy code), including a new “stretch code” that exceeds baseline code criteria. Learn about the technical and procedural aspects of the new energy code and how to ensure your building projects are in compliance. Also learn about changes to Efficiency Vermont’s above-code Residential New Construction service resulting from the energy code update.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Gordon
Chris Gordon is a Program Manager with Vermont Energy Investment Corporation where he manages Efficiency Vermont’s statewide Residential New Construction program. In addition to promoting market transformation through above-code programs, Chris is engaged in Vermont’s energy code update process.
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Dave Keefe
Dave Keefe is an energy consultant with the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation and has 30 years of experience making Vermont homes perform better. He currently handles most of the day-to-day activities of the Energy Code Assistance Center.
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The School Building as Teacher: A Design for the Future
Building Envelope, Residential & Commercial- Ben Freeman, Burr & Burton Academy
- Randall Walter, Bensonwood
We will discuss design concepts of the net-zero campus, building science, educational and biophilic design, student experiences monitoring buildings’ energy performance, living in and caring for the space, and the ripple effects of these experiences. We will create a sense of balance between the design process and the project outcomes by re-creating, sharing, and exploring the pressures and influences involved in creating a unique building and educational program. The project is an award-winning (AIA-NH, ENR, Efficiency Vermont, LEED Platinum, Vermont Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award) example that can benefit both design and education professionals.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Ben Freeman
Ben Freeman is the founding Director of Burr and Burton Academy’s Mountain Campus in Peru, Vermont. Ben has been a science teacher, wilderness expedition leader and school administrator. Ben’s professional interest lies in the complex relationships and resilience of natural and human-built systems. Ben has been on leadership teams designing and implementing a net zero school campus in the Bahamas, a LEED Platinum gymnasium in Vermont, and the net zero, LEED Platinum Mountain Campus. Ben holds a BA in Geology and Environmental Science from Colby College and an MA in Educational Leadership from Columbia University.
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Randall Walter
Randall Walter, AIA LEED AP, is an architect of the design/build firm, Bensonwood. From high-performance homes, to schools, restaurants, studios and barns, Randall has created over 200 custom buildings. Randall spearheaded the development of a 3D design system for design and construction, which has been his focus for the last decade, resulting in the OpenBuilt system to allow for rapid, creative design exploration with predictable results and known costs. Randall earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. He is an adjunct professor of Architecture at Keene State College, teaching design studios, architectural history and a biennial design/build practicum.
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How Do Ductless Heat Pumps Really Perform?
Mechanical Systems, Residential- Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group
Ductless heat pumps are all the rage, but how do they really perform? The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) sponsored a “meta-study” that examined 40 evaluations and other studies from around the country to answer this question. This session will cover technical performance, customer satisfaction, program effectiveness, and recommendations for program implementers.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Richard Faesy
Richard Faesy is a principal and co-founder of Energy Futures Group in Hinesburg, Vermont. As a Certified Energy Rater and LEED Accredited Professional, he specializes in residential buildings, technologies and markets, with a focus on residential new construction and retrofits, energy rating and labeling, ENERGY STAR Homes, building codes, energy efficiency financing, green building and effective energy efficiency policy, program design and implementation. He currently works with clients in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, the U.S. federal government and others.
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New Frontiers in LED Lighting: Today and in the Coming Decade
Lighting, Commercial- Eric Haugaard, Cree Lighting
This discussion will demonstrate how simple math, science, and history prove that incumbent technologies should no longer be used in the majority of applications. Real-world application case studies of LED lighting installations will show how the technology is rapidly being adopted in categories that were once considered impossible to justify for LED lighting. These applications demonstrate astonishing economic and human advantages for a large gamut of applications, ranging from simple A-19 incandescent lamp replacements through 1,000-watt HID and higher applications.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Eric Haugaard
Eric Haugaard is the Director of Product Technology for Cree Lighting. Eric has a career that spans 27 years including previous positions of Engineering Manager of New Product Development & Mechanical Design and Product Development Engineer. Over the past decade Eric has presented lighting technology programs to diverse audiences throughout the world, including a strong focus on LED luminaire technologies. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, with Post-Baccalaureate Program studies completed at NASA/Ames Research Center. He holds 48 US and 14 foreign patents related to lighting technology.
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Materials Selection: Avoiding Unintended Consequences in Green Building
Innovations & High Performance, Residential & Commercial- Charley Stevenson, Integrated Eco Strategy
Moving beyond net-zero energy performance to regenerative, truly healthy buildings requires a thorough understanding of all building impacts, including upstream and downstream pollution from manufactured products. This session will look at materials compliance requirements and discuss achievements and challenges in bringing the most sustainable building materials to projects. Manufacturers often do not disclose all the ingredients of their complex products; however, full disclosure is the key to safe selection of materials. Those firms that do disclose their ingredients should be rewarded through our purchases. Overlaying regional sourcing to comply with building rating standards adds complexity, but adds real value to the local economy as well. This session will cover methods that have been successful in developing the regional market for healthy, sustainable materials.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Charley Stevenson
Charley Stevenson is principal at Integrated Eco Strategy, a consulting firm that focuses on sustainability policy, building energy efficiency, and green building certification for institutional and not-for-profit clients. His current work includes coordination of sustainability goals within large and small capital construction and renovation projects ranging from 6,500 to 180,000 square feet. Among these projects are ones with Living Building Challenge, LEED Silver, and LEED Gold certification goals. In addition, his firm recently has provided feasibility assessments of large-scale solar thermal arrays, independent analysis of solar power purchase agreements, and strategic planning services for not-for-profits contemplating energy efficiency investments.
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Technologies for Zero-Energy Buildings in the North
Innovations and High Performance & Cold Climate Construction, Residential & Commercial- Thorsten Chlupp, Reina, LLC
An overview of lessons learned and technologies developed building solar-heated homes at latitude 64 and the limitations of and solutions for passive house and zero-energy buildings in heating-dominated climates. Highly efficient wall systems, window strategies, and the use of thermal shutters will be discussed, along with mechanical and integrated renewable energy system solutions for achieving zero-energy buildings even in very cold climates.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Thorsten Chlupp
Thorsten Chlupp is a low-energy designer, consultant, and builder from Reina, LLC, in Fairbanks, Alaska. Thorsten has developed cutting-edge methods of superinsulation, thermal storage, renewable energy, and more for his projects across Alaska, which include residences and a library in central Alaska (an area with some of the highest temperature swings in the developed world) as well as Living Building Challenge homes among the Aleutian Islands, an area with fewer than 20 days of clear sunshine annually.
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A Reality Check: How Much Do Energy Upgrades Improve Home Energy Performance?
Building Envelope, Residential- Paul Eldrenkamp, Byggmeister, Inc.
- Rachel White, Byggemeister, Inc.
We set out to quantify the impact of energy upgrades by tracking energy use for our projects and comparing pre- and post-project usage. Using a combination of tools, including e-monitoring and online energy tracking, we have developed a replicable system to gather and analyze energy usage data. At this session, we will share data gathered from several projects, both partial and deep energy retrofits; discuss how these data compare to pre-project expectations; and share the major lessons we have learned from the data about how to maximize the potential of retrofit opportunities.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Paul Eldrenkamp
Paul Eldrenkamp is founder and owner of Byggmeister, Inc. a 30-year-old residential remodeling company based in Newton, MA. He is also a principal of the DEAP Energy Group, a consulting group that helps project teams with small-scale residential Zero Net, Passive House, and Deep Energy Retrofit projects. Paul is a widely recognized expert in high-performance homes and frequently speaks to industry groups about energy efficient construction.
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Rachel White
Rachel is the performance maven at Byggmeister. Her job is to track and measure the impact of the company’s projects on home energy use, water use and indoor air quality. Rachel started working with Byggmeister in 2009 as a consultant and went in-house in 2013. Prior to this she worked in the field of religious studies. She did her undergraduate work at Haverford College and her graduate work at Brown University.
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Large Buildings + Cold Climates + Passivhaus = Recipe for Cost-Efficient Low Energy
Building Envelope & Cold Climate Construction, Commercial- Adam Cohen, Passiv Science
Large buildings in cold climates present a particularly inviting target for high-performance Passivhaus construction. This presentation will explore the reasons for this and some of the innovative solutions being employed around the globe to provide for market-rate large-scale Passivhaus buildings.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Adam Cohen
As an active design/builder and green building expert, Adam Cohen is a leading North American Passivhaus practitioner whose innovative work on market rate delivery of commercial high performance building has made his expertise sought-after for projects across North America. He is a principal partner in Structures Design/Build, LLC (www.structuresdb.com), Passiv Science, LLC (www.passivscience.com) and Quantum Architects, LLC, (www.quantum-architects.com).
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Designing and Testing for Airtight Construction-Simplified Details and Mid-Construction Testing Are the Keys to Success
Building Envelope, Commercial- John Rahill, Black River Design
Reducing infiltration is a relatively easy way to decrease energy use. Simplifying the design of its air barrier and testing mid-construction are critical to achieving success. Testing for air tightness typically occurs too late in the process. Diagnostic tests such as the blower door accompanied by thermal scan and smoke machine are most effective when the issues revealed can still be easily and cost effectively fixed. This talk will outline some design principles that should be followed and key opportunities for testing for and reducing infiltration. John will share some of commercial success stories as well as lessons learned from doing it the wrong way. He will also discuss current infiltration specifications and realistic targets as well as ways of achieving them.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
John Rahill
John's career has been committed to sustainable and high performance design with an emphasis on durability, aesthetics and occupant comfort. Recently, he has designed projects incorporating renewable energy sources and tight building envelopes. His firm is currently working on a Living Building Challenge project. A graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design, he spent several years running a small general contracting firm building active and passive solar houses. The ongoing experience of making mistakes and learning from them has been his best education.
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Sustainable Savings in Commercial Kitchens: How Buying the Right Equipment Can Save Energy, Water, and Money
Mechanical Systems, Commercial- Richard Young, Fisher-Nickel, Inc.
The purchase price of a food service appliance is just the tip of the iceberg when you consider the total cost to own and operate it. Many facilities are unpleasantly surprised to find out that “operation” is the real cost driver. Fuel and water costs can be several times higher than the capital cost, so it makes sense to specify and purchase the most efficient equipment. In this session, we will discuss how high-performance energy-efficient and water-efficient equipment can contribute to a more profitable, sustainable, and productive kitchen. We will also learn how to use online life-cycle cost calculators to make quick and accurate utility cost estimates.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Richard Young
Richard is lead field engineer and director of education at the Food Service Technology Center (FSTC), a publicly funded research facility that studies and promotes energy and water efficiency in commercial food service. Richard translates the FSTC's 26 years of research into practical information. He has 20 years of experience creating and presenting seminars on energyefficiency and currently delivers about 75 sessions a year. Richard contributes to the USGBC's LEED rating system, is an adviser to the National Restaurant Association's Conserve Initiative and a co-author of the SCAA's Green Guides.
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Lighting Efficiency Programs at Work
Lighting, Commercial- Sue Cook, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Ravi Parikh, Burlington Electric Department
This session will be an overview of energy efficiency services provided throughout the state by Efficiency Vermont and Burlington Electric Department (BED). We will cite examples of business customers that have benefited from efficiency improvements with financial, comfort, and environmental impacts. We will share energy efficiency best practices for businesses, including low-cost and no-cost solutions that reduce the economic and environmental toll of energy use. We will focus on lighting and control technologies. We’ll also discuss incentives offered by both organizations that provide for efficiency upgrades, with case studies showing energy savings, cost reductions, incentives provided, and payback periods, as well as customer testimonials. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the various offerings and how to employ them. We encourage questions!
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Sue Cook
Sue is the Commercial Lighting Technology Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. She manages Efficiency Vermont’s lighting programs targeting opportunities in energy efficiency for our commercial lighting partners and customers. Prior to working for Efficiency Vermont, Sue worked for many years as a Project and Program Manager in both the IT and Telecommunications industries at IBM and Vertek. Sue is a certified project management professional by both the Project Management Institute and Stanford University.
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Ravi Parikh
Ravi, who works mostly with small and medium commercial customers, joined BED in 2012. Being a Burlington resident (and Vermont native), Ravi is passionate about helping his local community. He has worked in the energy efficiency industry for over five years, including work for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Efficiency Vermont. Ravi’s past experiences bring a strong focus on lighting efficiency. His career has involved direct consultation with utility companies, distributors, contractors, and end-users. From program strategies to energy assessments, Ravi has worked hard to message the value of energy efficiency within the industry.
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Pushing the Envelope: A Look at High-Performance Homes in Vermont
Innovations & High Performance, Residential- Li Ling Young, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Matt Sargent, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This session will provide an overview of Efficiency Vermont’s High-Performance Homes program. We will look at the program requirements and some of the ways builders are meeting and exceeding specifications. We will show highlights from dozens of projects that prove that high-performance building is viable in today’s market. Energy monitoring systems have been installed in all successfully completed homes, and the results are in. We will take a look at the data and learn lessons from the field about what is worth repeating—and what should be avoided. For existing homes, we will look at several projects on the path to zero energy. With a focus on balancing expenditures for building improvements with mechanical systems, we’ll explore the potential to greatly improve Vermont’s housing stock, while restoring a safe, healthy, durable, and comfortable living environment.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Li Ling Young
Li Ling Young is a Senior Energy Consultant with Vermont Energy Investment Corp. Before joining VEIC, Li Ling’s work weatherizing homes in the fledgling Home Performance industry led to many insights into how homes, new and old, fail to deliver comfort and value. For the past decade Li Ling has worked with residential builders to improve performance and control costs in new homes. Most recently Li Ling is supporting the development of a Zero Energy Homes market for existing homes by training builders and understanding homeowner needs.
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Matt Sargent
Matt Sargent is a Senior Energy Consultant at Efficiency Vermont. He is a former builder of high performance homes, Best of the Best award winner at BBD 2004 and has over 20 years experience working as an energy efficiency consultant. Matt worked on the development of Efficiency Vermont's High Performance Homes Program and has been helping builders and homeowners create homes that use a fraction of the energy of a typical new home while maintaining comfort, durability and indoor air quality.
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Hygrothermal Performance of Cold-Climate Enclosures
Building Envelope & Cold Climate Construction, Residential & Commercial- Prudence Ferreira, Integral Impact, Inc.
This presentation will give a brief overview of the physics behind hygrothermal (coupled heat and moisture transport) risks in cold climates, particularly mold and wood rot, and explore the hygrothermal performance of current trends, existing building assemblies, and retrofit assemblies in cold-climate enclosure construction.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Prudence Ferreira
Ms. Ferreira is a building science consultant, researcher, educator and curriculum developer who teaches the Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) training, advanced hygrothermal analysis and passive house technical workshops around the US. She is a licensed trainer for the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) and a certified instructor for the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics and Oakridge National Lab’s WUFI-ORNL program. Ms. Ferreira currently serves on the PHIUS Board of Directors and as a member of the PHIUS Technical Committee. Ms. Ferreira currently resides in Fairbanks, Alaska with her husband Thorsten Chlupp in Alaska’s first zero energy passive house.
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Net Zero and Multifamily Housing: Is It an Attainable Goal?
Building Envelope, Residential- Kathy Beyer, Housing Vermont
- Steve O’Malley, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Michael Wisniewski, Duncan Wisniewski Architect
In the past few years there has been a steady increase in the construction of new homes that approach or achieve net-zero status. The formula that has worked for single-family homes is to superinsulate the building envelope and install an on-site PV system. This single-family home formula doesn’t scale to multifamily projects, for a host of reasons. A case study of taking an “energy code plus” six-unit building to a net-zero building will be presented, along with the challenges, benefits, and costs.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Kathy Beyer
Over the past 20 years, Ms. Beyer has been directly involved in housing development including new construction, historic rehabilitation, downtown and village centers, and preservation of at-risk housing. Ms. Beyer originally joined Housing Vermont in 1990 as the Vice President of Operations. From 1993 to 1996 she worked in the development arm of Housing Vermont and also served in the Vermont Legislature. Ms. Beyer was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Housing & Community Affairs for the state of Vermont for four years where she provided policy and management oversight in housing, land use planning, historic preservation and community development. Ms. Beyer returned to Housing Vermont in 2007 as a Senior Developer and was promoted to Vice President for Development in 2009. Ms. Beyer holds an M.P.A. degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a B.S. Degree in Accounting & Economics from the University of Minnesota.
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Steve O’Malley
Steve is an Energy Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He specializes in commercial and multifamily building energy projects, working primarily through the nation’s oldest and leading statewide energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont. A 9-year veteran of the energy efficiency industry, he builds and advances key relationships with developers, low-income housing providers, architects, engineers, vendors, and trade allies to promote the installation of cost-effective efficiency improvements in customers’ future and existing buildings / facilities. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Columbia University.
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Michael Wisniewski
Michael Wisniewski (BArch 1978 - Cornell University) is a principal in Duncan & Wisniewski Architecture which has completed a significant amount of affordable, neighborhood housing. He is working on an 1,100 sf passive house designed around dancing tango in Hinesburg, VT.
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Air Source Heat Pumps in the Commercial Market: Options, Applications, Benefits, Pitfalls
Mechanical Systems, Commercial- Brad DeBoer, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Rachael Mascolino, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Mary Jane Poynter, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Air source heat pump (ASHP) technology is progressing rapidly, and the market is becoming flooded with a variety of new products. What ASHP options are available for commercial buildings? Join members of Efficiency Vermont’s HVAC technical solutions group for a presentation detailing available commercial ASHP equipment, potential applications for ASHPs, energy implications versus conventional systems, and how Efficiency Vermont can assist customers when installing ASHP equipment.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Brad DeBoer
Brad DeBoer is an Energy Consultant at Vermont Energy Investment Corp. where he is a member of the HVAC Techical Solutions Group and works primarily with large customers including those in the Hospital, College & University, and Industrial sectors. His prior experince includes Design, Manufacturing, and Facilities Engineering rolls in automotive manufacturing facilities as well as work as a Design Engineer at a commercial nuclear power plant. He is an ASHRAE member and holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
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Rachael Mascolino
Rachael Mascolino is a Senior Energy Consultant at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation with over ten years of engineering experience, where she has worked with commercial, industrial, and institutional customers to evaluate existing and potential building mechanical systems and provide analysis of energy efficient alternatives. Rachael’s area of expertise is in HVAC systems, building on a career of project engineering for industrial construction, design, facilities management, and building science. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Vermont with additional studies in Engineering Management, and Facilities Operation.
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Mary Jane Poynter
Mary Jane is a Senior Energy Consultant at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. She specializes in commercial, industrial, and multifamily building energy projects, working primarily through the nation’s oldest and leading statewide energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont. A 15-year veteran of the energy efficiency industry, her projects range across the spectrum of new construction, existing buildings, ski resorts, and the affordable housing market. Mary Jane is a Certified Energy Manager, and a 12-year member of her local ASHRAE chapter. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.
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Controlling LEDs
Lighting, Residential & Commercial- Jay Lehrhaupt, Swaney Lighting Associates
Selecting a lighting control system for LEDs can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be that way. After a quick review on the types of dimming, this course will delve into the different control possibilities for LED lighting, spending time on various control languages. This session will educate specifiers, contractors, integrators, and anyone else working with LED lighting on where lighting controls can be used and how to begin conversations about application.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Jay Lehrhaupt
Jay Lehrhaupt has been doing systems design and integration for lighting controls in the New England area for the past 15 years. Jay has over 20 years’ experience with lighting controls ranging from commercial buildings to entertainment and theatrical systems. He has taught in schools and presented for regional trade shows around New England on the topics of Lighting Controls, Entertainment Rigging, and LED fixtures. Jay holds factory technician certifications for more than 10 lighting controls manufacturers along with a degree in technical theatre and an ETCP rigging certification.
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Funding Energy-Saving Retrofits in the Vermont Climate
Innovations & High Performance & Cold Climate Construction, Residential & Commercial- Brian Buckley, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
- Chris Burns, Burlington Electric Department
- Craig Ferreira, Green Mountain Power
- Mark Kelley, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This session will focus on financing options available for building retrofits related to energy efficiency and generation. The first section broadly surveys financing options available to building owners for building retrofits. The next section will discuss the Burlington Electric Department’s On-Bill Financing program. This discussion will be followed by an examination options available through Green Mountain Power’s E=Home Program. The last section will discuss Vermont’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Brian Buckley
Brian Buckley is Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships' High Performance Buildings Associate. His work focuses mainly on high performance public buildings, schools, building energy rating, and financing building energy retrofits. He holds a law degree and energy law certificate from Vermont Law School.
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Chris Burns
Chris Burns is Director of Energy Services for Burlington Electric Department. He is responsible for supervising the delivery of BED's commercial and residential energy efficiency offerings to BED's customers and has over 25 years of experience in the electric utility and energy efficiency sectors.
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Craig Ferreira
As an Innovation Champion at Green Mountain Power, Craig develops, tests and implements strategic programs delivering new services and products to our customers. Craig thrives on simplifying complex technologies and innovations while creating new customer offerings that will lower energy bills, increase comfort, help inform energy consumption choices and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Craig and his team will lead Green Mountain Power to become the Energy Company of the Future. Craig lives with his wife and new baby daughter Caroline in Florence, VT.
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Mark Kelley
Mark Kelley works at VEIC, specifically within Efficiency Vermont as the Program Manager focused on Financing, including PACE. Mark has a breadth of financial knowledge and experience. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Johnson State College with a degree in Business Management and Accounting. He has held leadership roles for such disciplines as Finance, Human Resources and IT and participated on leadership teams in these roles. Although his titles are rooted in more traditional operational finance (CFO, Controller), he has a tremendous amount of experience working with local banking institutions to arrive at creative and organizationally sound financing mechanisms to drive business objectives. Mark has formal training and experience in program and project management and has a track record of developing strong working relationships with the stakeholders.
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Why Building Analytics Is More Than Just a Trend: Lessons Learned from Applying Data Analytics to Building Systems
Innovations & High Performance, Commercial- Randy Mead, Control Technologies
- Nick Rock, Control Technologies
- Chris Vintinner, Control Technologies
The abundance of networked devices has enabled us to connect and measure anything and everything. With building analytics, we can automate what facilities engineers have done manually for decades: turn trend data into actionable intelligence to combat maintenance problems, comfort issues, and energy waste in a cost-effective manner. Learn about a data analytics tool being used by several large customers to find and evaluate their system operations and efficiency options.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Randy Mead
Randy Mead, CEM, CMVP has 30 years of experience in assessing and improving building performance with 28 years in the building controls & automation industry with Control Technologies, Inc. Randy has been on the forefront of bringing modern building analytics into the local marketplace for building and systems optimization. Randy is a lifetime member of the Association of Energy Engineers, is an ASHRAE member, and a member of the Building Commissioning Association.
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Nick Rock
Nick Rock, CEA is a Building Performance Engineer with Control Technologies Inc. who has 3 years of experience with control systems and data analytics in commercial buildings. Nick uses his data analytics expertise in concert with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Building Re-Tuning model to improve performance and reduce energy in commercial, industrial, medical, educational and government buildings. He has written a number of case studies on the use of data analytics software as a Monitor Based Commissioning (MBCx) tool. Nick Received a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from Vermont Technical College.
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Chris Vintinner
Chris Vintinner is a building performance engineer at Control Technologies. Chris’s responsibilities with Control Technologies have included sales, project management, and software engineering. Most recently, Chris has been focusing his efforts on developing a building analytics SaaS platform that will help building owners pinpoint energy efficiency opportunities and operational inefficiencies using data analytics. Prior to working for Control Technologies, Chris designed and installed energy-efficient lighting systems in Rochester, New York. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University.
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Transformation of an Iconic 1884 Schoolhouse into Net-Zero-Ready Municipal Offices
Building Envelope, Commercial- Chris Huston, Bread Loaf Corporation
- John Johnston, Bread Loaf Corporation
- Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance
The Hartford High School is a classic American schoolhouse, built in 1884 of solid masonry. Over the years, the building was repurposed many times, and is now the town municipal offices. Learn how this old building was restored and transformed into a state-of-the-art, municipal facility ready for net-zero energy use. This presentation will discuss materials choices and applications, heating, ventilation and air conditioning choices, and the challenges faced in fine-tuning all systems into an integrated whole building approach on a municipally funded budget.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Huston
Chris manages the Architecture Department at Bread Loaf Corporation and has been practicing architecture for over 23 years. Since joining Bread Loaf in 2004, he has managed a wide range of projects from the simple to more complicated, multi-phased projects over $40 million. Working in an award winning architectural firm in Boston for 14 years prior to joining Bread Loaf, Chris led the firm's sustainable design initiatives for significant public and private schools. Chris is a firm believer that we can all have a positive impact on our environment. He is currently working on other net zero energy municipal projects in Vermont.
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John Johnston
John Johnston (JJ) joined Bread Loaf in 1999 and is the company's Vice President of Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing & Fire Protection Services. JJ is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree and is a licensed professional mechanical engineer. John oversees Bread Loaf's MEP Department providing Integrated Project Management and is an integral part of all of Bread Loaf's projects.
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Andy Shapiro
Andrew Shapiro, provides high performance building design consulting services to a wide variety of clients, including owners, architects, engineers, builders, housing developers, universities and businesses. Recent projects include the NESEA 2013 Net Zero Award CMBG Education Center.
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Using Cellulose in Superinsulated and Passive House Construction, Lessons Learned
Building Envelope & Cold Climate Construction, Residential & Commercial- Michael Goetinck, Snowdog Construction
- Bill Hulstrunk, National Fiber
Cellulose insulation has been used in hundreds of superinsulated and passive homes in both North America and Europe. This session will explore the important installation and building science issues learned over the years working in these high-performance buildings. Topics will include discussions of framing details for thick building cavities, progressive cellulose density, achieving uniform densities in very deep cavities, when to compartmentalize cavities, where to put your air barrier, the use of vapor barriers / retarders, and moisture levels in exterior sheathing.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Michael Goetinck
Michael Goetinck owns and operates Snowdog Construction in Norwich, Vermont. His company is involved in high performance remodeling and renovation projects.
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Bill Hulstrunk
Bill Hulstrunk is the Technical Manager for National Fiber. After earning his MA degree, he has spent the past 22 years in the energy conservation field working with weatherization programs, energy service companies, electric utilities, and in the private sector. He teaches the Super Insulation for Net Zero Buildings at the Yestermorrow and has presented nationally on the topics of: building diagnostics, insulation performance and creating high performance building envelopes.
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Realized Savings—Success Stories of Retrocommissioning
Mechanical Systems, Commercial- Eveline Killian, Cx Associates
- Jake Yanulavich, Burlington Electric Department
Retrocommissioning has many benefits, including operation, maintenance, and replacement cost reductions, but its value is still hard to sell to building owners and energy utilities. This presentation will discuss a number of successful retrocommissioning projects in Vermont with proven energy and maintenance savings. It will also detail an innovative consulting contract structured to maintain the energy savings realized through retrocommissioning that will help control maintenance costs and identify further savings opportunities. In addition, we will discuss the innovative financial assistance available in Vermont. Success stories include projects that have been producing quantifiable energy savings for more than a year.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Eveline Killian
Eveline Killian is a Certified Energy Manager with 20 years' experience in Commercial and Industrial Project Management and 15 years' experience as an Energy Analyst. Ms. Killian has conducted commissioning and retro-commissioning for dozens of large industrial and commercial projects throughout New England. Ms. Killian also has extensive experience in energy efficient building design and operation, DDC control optimization, efficiency program design and implementation, building energy modeling, and measurement and verification of energy efficiency measures. As a project manager, her experience includes large industrial cleanroom new construction projects, pharmaceutical new construction and major retrofit, commercial new construction, and energy efficiency performance contracting.
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Jake Yanulavich
Jake Yanulavich is a Commercial and Industrial Energy Services Engineer for Burlington Electric Department. He is responsible for providing Energy Audits for Burlington’s larger commercial and industrial customers, which includes recommendations for energy saving measures and the development of incentive payments for these measures. He has 10 years’ experience as a Manufacturing Engineer, 12 years in Industrial Automation, and 9 years’ experience in the Electrical Utility and Energy Management sector.
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Residential Lighting Techniques Using LEDs
Lighting, Residential- Peter Romaniello, Conceptual Lighting, LLC
LED technology has completely infiltrated the lighting design industry. Even though it is used in almost every project nowadays, it still has shortcomings. The reality is that spaces can be beautifully lit with LED technology. We will learn how to evaluate and compare fixture information, work on layouts of specific rooms, and specify the fixture types to give the desired effect.
Presentation(s):
- Romaniello -Linear LED Strip Fixture 1.pdf
- Romaniello -Linear LED Strip Fixture 2.pdf
- Romaniello -Linear LED Strip Fixture 3.pdf
- Romaniello -Linear LED Strip Fixture 4.pdf
- Romaniello -Linear LED Strip Fixture 5.pdf
- Romaniello -Recesed LED Fixture 1.pdf
- Romaniello -Recesed LED Fixture 2.pdf
- Romaniello -Recesed LED Fixture 3.pdf
- Romaniello -Recesed LED Fixture 4.pdf
- Romaniello -Recesed LED Fixture 5.pdf
- Romaniello -Retrofit LED MR16.pdf
Level: Intermediate Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Romaniello
Peter began as a theatrical lighting designer in New York and then moved on to architectural lighting. In 1998, Peter founded his award winning lighting design company, Conceptual Lighting. He has designed lighting systems for over 1700 residences along with many restaurants, retail spaces, health care facilities, and houses of worship. He has served as a Regional Vice-President and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Illuminating Engineering Society. Peter has taught many seminars for organizations including the NKBA, AIA, ASID, and the IES, and has been an adjunct professor at University of New Haven and Fairfield University.
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Balancing Your Energy Dollars in a Cold Climate in the Pursuit of Net-Zero Energy
Innovations & High Performance & Cold Climate Construction, Commercial- John Rahill, Black River Design
- Charley Stevenson, Integrated Eco Strategy
How can you assess whether you are spending your money wisely in the pursuit of net-zero energy? This session will explore methods of looking at the costs required to achieve net zero on both the energy-saving and energy-generating sides. We will discuss the different ways to achieve balanced investments, and we will assess whether these costs represent wise investments, using both payback methods and net cash flow methods of analysis. We will be using two very different, recent institutional projects as examples—and the differences will be illuminating.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
John Rahill
John's career has been committed to sustainable and high performance design with an emphasis on durability, aesthetics and occupant comfort. Recently, he has designed projects incorporating renewable energy sources and tight building envelopes. His firm is currently working on a Living Building Challenge project. A graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design, he spent several years running a small general contracting firm building active and passive solar houses. The ongoing experience of making mistakes and learning from them has been his best education.
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Charley Stevenson
Charley Stevenson is principal at Integrated Eco Strategy, a consulting firm that focuses on sustainability policy, building energy efficiency, and green building certification for institutional and not-for-profit clients. His current work includes coordination of sustainability goals within large and small capital construction and renovation projects ranging from 6,500 to 180,000 square feet. Among these projects are ones with Living Building Challenge, LEED Silver, and LEED Gold certification goals. In addition, his firm recently has provided feasibility assessments of large-scale solar thermal arrays, independent analysis of solar power purchase agreements, and strategic planning services for not-for-profits contemplating energy efficiency investments.
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Putting the Pieces Together: How Weatherization, Renewables, and Heat Pumps Will Transform Vermont’s Energy Future
Innovations & High Performance, Residential- Chuck Reiss, Reiss Building and Renovation
This presentation will show how new and existing homes can achieve net-zero energy or close to net-zero energy by putting existing technology and techniques together. We will present case studies of a new home and an existing older home that have achieved net-zero energy and very close to it. Using these two examples, we will demonstrate how Vermont can achieve a sustainable energy future close to the stated goals of the state’s comprehensive energy plan.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Chuck Reiss
Chuck Reiss is owner of Reiss Building and Renovation, a green construction company since 1982. He was one of the founding members of Building for Social Responsibility and Building Performance Professional Association of Vermont. He is the present Chair of the Vermont Builds Greener Program. Reiss Building and Renovation has built one of the first net zero energy residential neighborhoods in the state. They are also BPI certified and dedicated to getting existing homes off of fossil fuel through a combination of increased efficiency and renewable energy supply.
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Hybrid Vermiculite / Weatherization Pilot Projects: An Innovative Solution
Building Envelope, Residential- Marc Companion, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
- Todd Hobson, Clay Point Associates
The Vermont Housing Conservation Board and its partners have piloted a new cost-effective technique for weatherizing attics that contain vermiculite. Multiple demonstration projects have been completed at a cost that is 40–60% of that of the conventional approach of vermiculite removal and disposal. In this session, we will discuss how the new hybrid technique brings certified asbestos abatement contractors and weatherization experts together in the attic at the same time, in a regulated asbestos abatement area in full compliance with applicable state and federal asbestos regulations. The asbestos crews move vermiculite aside so that air-sealing and other measures can be installed. Loose-fill cellulose is then blown over the top of the vermiculite.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Marc Companion
Marc Companion is the program manager of the Healthy Homes program of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, which mitigates health and safety hazards in homes throughout the state. Marc is a civil engineer who teaches green building courses at the University of Vermont and became a BPI-certified building analyst and envelope professional in 2010. He also co-developed and oversees vermiculite / weatherization hybrid demonstration projects.
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Todd Hobson
Todd Hobson is the principal of Clay Point Associates, a consulting firm in Williston, Vermont, that specializes in asbestos, lead, and hazardous materials management. Todd has more than 24 years of technical and business experience working on more than 2,500 asbestos projects, 1,500 lead-based paint projects, and 500 indoor air quality improvement projects. He is also co-developer, with Marc Companion, of the hybrid demonstration project approach.
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HVAC, Control, and Plumbing Systems for “Thermos Bottle Buildings”
Mechanical Systems, Residential & Commercial- Roy Swain, Kohler & Lewis
A thermos bottle is a good analogy for the superinsulated buildings and homes that are gaining popularity through a variety of initiatives. However, they have heat loss and heat gain characteristics that are so different from those of traditional buildings that they require a surprising amount of rethinking of the fundamentals of HVAC, controls, and wet plumbing systems in order to optimize cost and performance, and to provide user-friendly maintenance schedules. We will learn how to integrate mechanical systems into these higher-performing thermal enclosures by revisiting the whole building concept.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Roy Swain
Roy Swain designs efficient HVAC, plumbing, and control systems at Kohler & Lewis Mechanical Engineers in Keene, New Hampshire. Roy has designed systems for 10 LEED buildings, including the first one in New England, the home of the New Hampshire Forest Society. He has helped design four net-zero energy projects, including the Bechtel Environmental Classroom at Smith College, the first certified Living Building Challenge building in New England. Previously, Roy managed the development of the McQuay MicroTech line of DDC controllers.
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Variable Flow Pumps—Control Strategies to Optimize System Efficiency
Mechanical Systems, Residential & Commercial- Steve Thompson, TACO, Inc.
Constant speed, multispeed, variable speed, temperature or pressure control—what’s the best solution to maximize overall system efficiency and provide comfort? Energy savings start at the point of pump power consumption. How do pump types and control strategies affect overall system efficiency to maximize your return on investment? What about sensor location? Is balancing required? What happens with substantially different zone loads or different applications? Will the new technologies work with old systems? Are control strategies different for boiler and system pumps? What’s coming in the future and how are government (federal and state) programs affecting new product development? All these questions and more will be addressed during this 90-minute interactive session.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Steve Thompson
Steve Thompson has been active in the pump and HVAC industry for nearly 40 years. He worked his way through the industry, including owning and operating a rep agency and working in sales, technical and customer support, training, and product development. He has helped develop the DOE pump efficiency standard in conjunction with ASHRAE, the Hydraulic Institute, and AHRI. He helped introduce the first ECM “smart” pumps and circulators into the North American HVAC market. At TACO, Steve is vice president of product management for residential products.
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The Next Big Shift in the Evolution of Digital Lighting
Lighting, Commercial- Mark Hand, Acuity Brands Lighting
Imagine enabling lighting specifiers to freely choose from good, better, and best lighting options to meet all facility needs. They can also select and configure fixtures, controls, and daylighting for any application, and achieve consistent colors and dimming performance across all lighting without compromising the underlying electrical performance. The secret ingredient is “common core technology”—LEDs, drivers, electronics, connections—ensuring consistent performance among individual fixtures and networked lighting systems. This presentation will examine common core technology and how it creates an environment where multiple lighting luminaires operate seamlessly together.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
Mark Hand
As VP of engineering for Acuity Brands Lighting, Mark Hand has been entrenched in the research, conceptualization, development, and commercialization of LED luminaires. His 12 years in the lighting industry have all been with Acuity Brands. Mark received a B.S. in aeronautical engineering and an M.S. in mechanical design from Queen’s University Belfast (Northern Ireland). He worked briefly in the aerospace industry before transitioning to telecommunications. Mark’s experience in a high-tech electronics environment has proven invaluable as the lighting industry transitions to solid-state lighting.
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Energy “Treasure Hunts” and Kaizen Events: Finding Energy Savings in Commercial and Industrial Accounts
Innovations & High Performance, Commercial- DeWayne Howell, Husky Injection Molding System
- Greg Liebert, Liebert Engineering
- Jenna Pugliese, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
This presentation will involve a panel discussion of three current participants in Efficiency Vermont’s Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) pilot cohort and will be moderated by Greg Baker, who has been spearheading the effort. Presenters will take approximately 15 minutes each outlining their respective CEI plans and achievements and discuss the details of the kaizen event hosted on each of their sites. The moderator will then lead a panel discussion featuring both prepared questions and questions taken from the audience to frame best practices and lessons learned for hosting these types of events.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
DeWayne Howell
DeWayne Howell is the Manufacturing Manager for Husky Injection Molding in Milton, VT. This 250,00 sqft facility employees more than 350 employees manufacturing hot runner injection molds for a variety of industries. In his role, he has had responsibility for the Energy Management Program within Husky for the last 10 years. During that time, Husky has been an active participant with Efficiency Vermont as a successful participant in the Energy Leadership Challenge and a charter member of the Continuous Energy Improvement cohort. The cumulative impact of their completed projects has resulted in a reduction in their energy consumption by 25% saving more than $200,000 annually. Additionally, their work was recognized by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership in 2008. DeWayne has a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire.
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Greg Liebert
Greg Liebert has nearly thirty years of experience providing targeted facility and process engineering services for his clients, including a role as the project manager for Central Vermont Medical Center’s “Energy Savings Initiative”. His firm, Liebert Engineering, offers mechanical, electrical, and process engineering and design along with project management and construction administration services. Greg is a Professional Engineer licensed in many states across the Northeast, a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Energy Auditor, and Certified Green Building Engineer.
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Jenna Pugliese
In 2014 Jenna Pugliese joined Efficiency Vermont as the Efficient Products Program Manager. In her role at Efficiency Vermont Ms. Pugliese oversees residential lighting and appliance programs. Prior to this Jenna was the Environmental Manager at Stratton Mountain Resort where she had established nationally recognized programs for waste reduction, carbon footprint reduction, and overall energy efficiency. In 2010, she was recognized as one of Vermont Business Magazine’s Rising Stars. Her responsibilities included sustainability initiatives and ensuring compliance within Vermont’s environmental regulatory arenas. She holds a B.A. in economics from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
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Making Energy Performance Visible in the Real Estate Market through Home Energy Labeling in Vermont and Massachusetts
Innovations & High Performance, Residential- Harrison Grubbs, Conservation Services Group
- Emily Levin, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Alissa Whiteman, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
This session will introduce Vermont’s new home energy label, which includes an energy score to enable comparison of the energy performance of homes at the time of sale. The session will also present Massachusetts’s recent experience piloting a home energy performance scorecard through its statewide energy efficiency program, including results, lessons learned, customer feedback, and an on-the-ground perspective from the energy efficiency program.
Presentation(s):
- Making Energy Performance Visible in the Real Estate EL.pdf
- Making Energy Performance Visible in the Real Estate EL.pptx
- Making Energy Performance HG.pptx
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
Harrison Grubbs
Harrison Grubbs has been actively involved in the energy efficiency industry for more than 10 years. He has worked as a contractor and a technical trainer in the field and in program management for multiple utility clients. Harrison is currently the program director for Conservation Services Group (CSG), overseeing the Mass Save Home Energy Services program, which was responsible for more than 75,000 home energy assessments and 25,000 weatherization projects in 2013, helping Massachusetts maintain its rank as the most energy-efficient state in the country.
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Emily Levin
Emily Levin is a consulting manager at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, where she leads the program support group providing energy efficiency program design and planning services to utilities, program implementers, regulators, and consumer advocates. She previously led residential strategic planning for Efficiency Vermont and chaired the Vermont Home Energy Labeling Working Group and residential subcommittee of the Vermont Thermal Efficiency Taskforce. She holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
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Alissa Whiteman
Alissa Whiteman is an energy efficiency program manager at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). She managed “Home MPG,” an initiative designed to motivate investment in residential energy efficiency and support a real estate market that appropriately values home energy performance. Prior to joining DOER in 2009, Alissa spent over 10 years at the Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection, both as an attorney and as manager of the environmental results program. She is a graduate of Boston College and Harvard Law School.
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Materials Matter: Quality Over Quantity
Building Envelope, Residential & Commercial- Oliver Curtis, Robert Curtis Architects
This session is an exploration of the value of designing and working with advanced structural and insulation materials. We will begin with a review of material properties and selection criteria before moving on to lessons learned in compatibility and materials sequencing. Expect to learn why material utilization (i.e., versatility), scalability, and compatibility should be dominant factors in material selection.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Oliver Curtis
Oliver Curtis is the construction manager for Robert Curtis Architects, a design / build firm specializing in high-value, low-energy construction. Oliver gained experience in building envelope design and performance during his previous work with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America research program while at Southface Energy Institute.
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Second Time Around: Optimizing an Antique Home to Meet the Thousand Home Challenge
Building Envelope, Residential- William Turner, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
A 1981 rebuild of a 1925 home had failed to perform as modeled. We will discuss a more recent energy-efficient optimization. The project included major air-sealing, re-insulation, heating efficiency, and renewable energy upgrades to reduce wood energy use and vastly improve the home’s overall performance. We will present blower door, infrared imaging, CO2, and monitored energy usage data that met the Thousand Home Challenge Option B requirements.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald 2
About the Speaker(s)-
William Turner
Bill Turner earned his B.S. and M.S. in engineering from Northeastern University in the 1970s. He served for 10 years on the research staff at Harvard University School of Public Health. Since 1986, Bill has focused on building science and energy efficiency, specializing in indoor air quality, moisture, geo heat exchange, sustainable building shell design, net-zero buildings, building commissioning, and forensic evaluations. His experience includes new buildings, modifications to existing buildings, and various energy systems, including hybrid solar geo-exchange and active energy recovery.
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A Geo-Solar Hybrid Self-Heating Workshop / Garage
Mechanical Systems, Commercial- David Brown, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
- Steven Caulfield, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
- David Johnston, David Johnston & Company
This session will detail the design and construction of a combination workshop / garage in a cold climate. We will cover the construction of high-performance insulation systems and a hybrid geo-solar heating system, including ground temperature data, resulting in a maximum return on investment. We’ll discuss design, cost estimating, and performance results.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Room: Emerald 3
About the Speaker(s)-
David Brown
David Brown is a senior mechanical engineer with Turner Building Science & Design, LLC, based in Harrison, Maine. He has over 25 years of experience in mechanical engineering. David received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine. He has designed a wide variety of building mechanical systems, including HVAC, supermarket refrigeration, plumbing, and fire protection systems. David also provides site evaluation, construction observation, and troubleshooting services.
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Steven Caulfield
Steve Caulfield is a senior vice president with Turner Building Science & Design. Steve is also the immediate past president of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council. He has over 25 years of experience in mechanical engineering, industrial hygiene, and indoor air quality studies. Steve received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Hartford. He has designed, commissioned, and retro-commissioned a wide variety of innovative and traditional energy-efficient mechanical systems, addressed building science and air quality issues, and conducted a variety of testing in all kinds of buildings and situations.
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David Johnston
David Johnston has been designing, building, and remodeling energy-efficient custom homes for the past 36 years. He has taught at University of Southern Maine (USM) and is currently teaching building science and construction estimating courses at Central Maine Community College (CMCC). He serves on advisory committees for construction programs at CMCC, Southern Maine Community College, and Westbrook Regional Vocational School. David is active with the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council, offering workshops throughout New England on cost-effective construction methods and healthy indoor environments. He holds a B.S. in industrial education from USM.
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Incentivizing Lighting Quality
Lighting, Commercial- Edward Bartholomew, National Grid
This session discusses how lighting quality is being supported by utilities through targeted incentives. We will explore the advanced lighting strategies that promote a holistic “design” approach to energy efficiency and how those involved in the lighting design process can be motivated to reduce energy use through modeling, daylight design, efficient fixture specification, lighting controls, and commissioning. Through case studies and research, we will demonstrate how an integrated lighting design process promotes a high-quality visual environment while reducing energy use.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond 1
About the Speaker(s)-
Edward Bartholomew
Edward Bartholomew is the commercial lighting program manager for National Grid. He is responsible for evaluating state-of-the-art lighting technologies and strategies for new programs, conducting regional lighting education programs, and providing lighting project assistance to architects and engineers. Edward has more than 20 years of experience and has won numerous lighting design awards while developing best-practice, sustainable lighting strategies. Edward also speaks on sustainable lighting at conferences and organizations worldwide. Edward is the chairman of the commercial lighting subcommittee for the highly respected energy efficiency program Mass Save.
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Using Smart Devices to Achieve Intelligent Efficiency
Innovations & High Performance, Residential & Commercial- Ethan Goldman, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Jeffrey Hullstrung, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Nick Lange, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
The smart grid, smart thermostats, and energy metering are gaining more widespread adoption, but how can you use connected devices and data analytics to help make buildings more energy efficient? Learn how Efficiency Vermont is using emerging technology in homes and businesses to find opportunities to save energy, estimate the savings potential, and ensure that savings are achieved. This session will include both real-world examples and strategies for using these technologies in your own buildings or energy efficiency projects.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Ethan Goldman
Ethan Goldman is the energy informatics architect at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation and technical lead for Efficiency Vermont’s smart grid and connected thermostat activities, which help consumers understand their energy data and find savings opportunities. Ethan develops systems for acquiring, storing, and analyzing advanced metering infrastructure data from utilities. He has researched the impact of information feedback from energy consumption patterns and non-intrusive load analysis using whole building electric meters. He holds a B.S. from Hampshire College and an M.S. in green informatics from Carnegie Mellon.
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Jeffrey Hullstrung
Jeff Hullstrung is a senior energy consultant at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation and leads a team focused on energy analytics. Jeff works with large industrial customers, developing energy efficiency opportunities using various data sources. He creates facility-wide energy models and assists customers moving forward with continuous energy improvement as part of a pilot at Efficiency Vermont. He holds a B.S. in aerospace engineering from SUNY Buffalo and an MBA from the University of Vermont. Jeff is a licensed mechanical engineer registered in Vermont.
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Nick Lange
Nick’s 10-plus years in the renewables and energy efficiency industry have included the mechanical engineering and commissioning of megawatt-scale combined heat and power projects as well as business and residential energy program design, evaluation, and implementation. As a consultant in emerging savings opportunities for the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, he has recently focused on the identification and development of new measures, tools, and approaches for cost-effective savings such as heat pump water heaters, smart thermostats, and community engagement.
2014 Conference Presentations
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High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study, Part 1
Envelope, Net Zero, Residential- Chris Miksic, Montpelier Construction, LLC
- Indigo Ruth-Davis, Montpelier Construction, LLC
- Paul Sipple, NECCO Inc.
- Chris Stackhouse, Cambium Construction Inc.
Learn from some of the best in the business as they take building performance to the next level. This session examines two Deep Energy Retrofits and two new homes built to Efficiency Vermont's new High Performance Homes standard and to the Passive House standard. Discover the importance of having performance, sustainability, resilience, durability, and comfort as goals throughout the design and construction process. This is a double session with the second half continuing after lunch.
Presentation(s):
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Miksic.pdf
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Ruth-Davis.pdf
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Sargent.pdf
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Sipple.pdf
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Stackhouse.pdf
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond II
About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Miksic
Chris is a founding partner of Montpelier Construction. He has a diverse background as a designer and an energy efficient builder. Over the years, he has attended workshops and trainings in energy efficient building and high performing homes. Chris is a PHIUS+ certified Passive House builder and BPI Certified. As a Home Performance with Energy Star Contractor he has done many energy retrofit /upgrades through Efficiency Vermont for homeowners in Central Vermont. He takes great pride and pleasure that in addition to his contracting/design work, he continues to build hands-on alongside his co-workers.
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Indigo Ruth-Davis
Indigo is a PHIUS + Certified Passive House Consultant and builder. He is a partner at Montpelier Construction, one of central Vermont’s leading building performance companies. Indigo believes that what we build and how we build it is an important social issue as well as a key component of good environmental stewardship. As a Passive House Consultant he works to balance the aesthetic design components of the architect or homeowner and practical considerations of the builder with the goal of achieving the extremely low energy demand target of a Passive House.
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Paul Sipple
Paul, President of New England Construction Company, has been involved in all aspects of residential and commercial construction for over 35 years. He has also done a lot of roof leak investigation.
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Chris Stackhouse
Chris is a design builder with 40 years of experience in residential construction. After decades of striving for energy efficiency without any supporting organizations, he partnered with Efficiency Vermont in 2004 and has since completed eight ENERGY STAR® Homes.
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Infrastructure Master Planning: Building From the Inside Out
Building Envelope, Net Zero, Commercial- Jesse M. Douglas, LEED AP, Veolia Energy
- Jack Griffin, SourceOne, Inc.
Infrastructure Master Planning has become an essential tool as increased energy costs, unpredictability, and environmental concerns have shifted the focus of commercial and industrial sectors toward sustainable infrastructure. Learn the process for developing an Infrastructure Master Plan that enhances building performance and sustainability.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Jesse M. Douglas
Jesse is a Business Development Manager for Veolia Energy and is responsible for client development in the Northeast. Most recently Jesse was a Senior Project Manager and Engineer with SourceOne, a subsidiary of Veolia Energy. He has nearly 10 years of experience developing energy and infrastructure projects from cradle to grave for a wide variety of clients. He is a published author on distributed and cogeneration systems. Jesse holds a degree in Marine Engineering from SUNY Maritime College and he is currently seeking his MBA from CUNY Baruch College.
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Jack Griffin
Jack is the Vice President and General Manager of SourceOne, Inc. His consulting experience includes energy efficiency, sustainability, distributed generation, district energy system development, and utility-grade design. Jack has spoken at national conferences on a variety of topics, including renewable energy, utility metering systems and Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems and the application of Combined Heat and Power systems in the marketplace. Most recently Jack presented with New York University on cogeneration at the IDEA 104th Annual Conference & Trade Show. Jack has also served as an expert witness in legal disputes specifically related to utility rate issues.
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Anatomy of a High Performance Home
Innovations & High Performance, Residential- Tim Yandow, Yandow Green Builders
Learn to build a high performance, net-zero-ready home with many of the same benefits of a Passive House. We’ll dissect choices like siting, foundation, wall assemblies, windows, ventilation, and more to see how each of these contribute to a dynamic, whole system that is beautiful and comfortable to live in. Plus, learn strategies to minimize cost and environmental impact, as well as some of the do’s and don’ts we have learned along the way.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Room: Emerald III
About the Speaker(s)-
Tim Yandow
Tim is the owner of Yandow Green Builders and has been building green, hyper-efficient homes for over 20 years. Having built several High Performance and a Passive House over the last several years, Yandow Green Builders continues to focus on better, more cost effective ways to build this next generation of homes. Tim's background in natural medicine and field biology has also helped guide healthy building practices that are used on every project and to establish strong, collaborative relationships with clients.
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The Design, Operations, and Maintenance of a Green Manufacturing Facility
Innovations & High Performance, Commercial- Jan Becker, NCARB, AIA, LEED AP, Bread Loaf Corporation
- Jon Haehnel, Zero by Degrees LLC
- John Johnston, PE, Bread Loaf Corporation
- Matt Napolitan, PE, CPMP, LEED AP, Cx Associates
- Perry Seale, Hypertherm Inc.
What are the challenges in applying sustainable design practices to a large and operationally complex industrial project? This panel will share their recent and diverse experience in working together to provide Hypertherm, a manufacturer of advanced plasma cutting systems, with an energy efficient LEED Silver 160,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
Presentation(s):
- The Design, Operations, and Maintenance of a Green Manufacturing Facility - Becker.pdf
- The Design, Operations, and Maintenance of a Green Manufacturing Facility - Napolitan.pdf
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald II
About the Speaker(s)-
Jan Becker
Jan has practiced Integrated Project Management at Bread Loaf Corporation in Middlebury, Vermont for fourteen years. Jan has a BS in Architecture from McGill University and a MArch from the University of Idaho. She came to Vermont from the city of Boston where she was the Chief Architect for the Department of Neighborhood Development. She has taught architecture and Urban Planning at Ball State University, UNLV, Montana State University, and the University of Idaho.
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Jon Haehnel
Jon has been testing and inspecting institutional and commercial buildings for over 10 years. Jon's expertise is in building envelope testing and design. Most of his work focuses on new and retrofit commercial construction but he also does forensic testing to determine the root cause of high energy costs, mold, ice dams, and pipe freeze-ups. Jon is a certified Building Performance Institute Building Analyst and Envelope Specialist. Jon is currently the blower door and energy auditor instructor for Vermont Technical College and a past presenter at Better Buildings by Design.
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John Johnston
John joined Bread Loaf in 1999 and is the company's Vice President of Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing & Fire Protection Services. John is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree and is a licensed professional mechanical engineer. John oversees Bread Loaf's MEP Department providing Integrated Project Management and is an integral part of all of Bread Loaf's projects.
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Matt Napolitan
Matt is a mechanical engineer with over 15 years of experience in energy efficient building design and operations. His commissioning experience includes major renovations, new construction, and retrocommissioning of commercial, industrial, educational, health care, and military facilities. Mr. Napolitan has extensive expertise in HVAC system efficiency and DDC controls optimization, as well as experience delivering meaningful, permanent measurement and verification systems. Mr. Napolitan has been the mechanical design engineer and project manager on nearly $1 billion worth of construction.
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Perry Seale
Perry has been Director of Facilities for Hypertherm Incorporated since 2006. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a BS in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from Plymouth State University. Hypertherm is headquartered in Hanover, NH with over 500,000 square feet of office/manufacturing space. Perry also brings more than 16 years of facilities experience from the healthcare industry. Perry has a unique interest in how teams can positively impact the building design and construction process.
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DOE Study on LED Troffers, Retrofit Kits, and Tubes
Lighting, Commercial- Naomi Miller, FIES, FIALD, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Do you know what to look for when selecting dedicated LED and retrofit LED products for troffer applications? The Department of Energy’s CALiPER program recently set out to test 24 pairs of different products: dedicated LED troffers, fluorescent troffers retrofitted with LED kits, and LED T8 tubes, all in contention with traditional recessed fluorescent products. The products were all mounted in a simulated office space, and 16 designers and engineers were invited to review them for performance characteristics. Non-expert observers and electricians provided feedback as well. Come learn the results and how to apply them in the field.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald I
About the Speaker(s)-
Naomi Miller
Naomi is a designer/scientist in the SSL program at PNNL. Working to bridge the gap between technology and application, she is promoting the wise use of LEDs, and working with industry to overcome the hurdles and celebrate the opportunities. She has too many years of experience working in different facets of the lighting industry, but still finds lighting to be an intriguing mélange of economics, human factors, and physics; an essential element of productivity and comfort; and a visual delight. She is a Fellow of the IESNA and Fellow of the IALD.
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Direct Digital Control: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the BMS
Mechanical, Commercial- Trevor Parsons, Housing Vermont
- AJ Rossman, CEM, Smart REsource Institute, LLC
Building Automation Systems often go underutilized by building owners, engineers, and architects. Why? Join Trevor Parsons of Housing Vermont as he outlines their journey integrating intelligent control and data collection systems into Housing Vermont’s portfolio. Data gathered through the BMS and associated systems can provide a hugely valuable portal into how a building is performing. That is, of course, if you don’t go broke trying to do it, alienate occupants and service technicians, or expose critical systems to computer hackers.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond I
About the Speaker(s)-
Trevor Parsons
Trevor started his career in mechanical engineering working on oil platforms in Venezuela. After finding renewable energy religion, he left the oilfield in search of a better way, working on several design build projects focusing on energy efficiency and renewable integration. He currently works for Housing Vermont, a non-profit developer of affordable housing, managing their energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Since joining Housing Vermont, he has assisted development staff in optimizing investment into rehab and new construction projects. He has also helped asset management staff target and treat the worst energy offenders in Housing Vermont’s 4,500 unit portfolio.
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AJ Rossman
AJ’s work is at the intersection of energy and IT. He has been of assessing performance of remote power systems using the combination of hardware and web services for over a decade. As the founder of Draker Energy, he launched the third party monitoring industry for commercial and utility-scale photovoltaic power plants. As director of Smart Resource Institute, he now develops web services and advanced metering initiatives in energy efficiency and complex power systems with organizations such as Housing Vermont, Efficiency Vermont and Northern Reliability.
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Better Performance Through Enclosure Commissioning
Envelope, Commercial- Frederick McKnight, PE, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
- Wiliam Turner, MS, PE, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
Learn the goals and basic requirements of some commonly specified tests for enclosure assemblies. Though there are myriad field tests available, there are a few widely-used ones including whole building air tightness testing (ASTM E779 and 1827), and water intrusion tests for enclosure penetration, including windows and store fronts (ASTM E1105).
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald III
About the Speaker(s)-
Frederick McKnight
Frederick received his B.S. from Lyndon State College and A.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Vermont Technical College. Mr. McKnight is a registered Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience performing building forensic evaluations in various settings concerning Energy Modeling, Indoor Air Quality, Building Enclosure Moisture Intrusion, retro-commissioning and performance evaluations in over 35 million square feet on non-industrial space nationwide. Frederick is LEED AP and a member of BCA and ABAA, and has been appointed as an ABBA Field Auditor and currently serves on the Whole Building Air Tightness technical committee. He has published and lectured nationally.
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Wiliam Turner
Bill received his BS & MS in Engineering from Northeastern University and served for ten (10) years on the research staff of Harvard University School of Public Health conducting longitudinal air quality studies inside and outside of homes in six cities evaluating second hand smoke and gas appliances. Since then Mr. Turner has focused on Building Science& sustainability issues including energy use, indoor air quality, moisture, building shell design, net-zero buildings, building commissioning, and forensic evaluations. His experience includes rebuilding existing homes & buildings and the design of new buildings. He has published and lectured extensively.
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High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study, Part 2
Envelope, Net Zero, Residential- Chris Miksic, Montpelier Construction, LLC
- Indigo Ruth-Davis, Montpelier Construction, LLC
- Paul Sipple, NECCO Inc.
- Chris Stackhouse, Cambium Construction Inc.
Learn from some of the best in the business as they take building performance to the next level. This session examines two Deep Energy Retrofits and two new homes built to Efficiency Vermont's new High Performance Homes standard and to the Passive House standard. Discover the importance of having performance, sustainability, resilience, durability, and comfort as goals throughout the design and construction process. This is the second half of a double session started this morning.
Presentation(s):
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Miksic.pdf
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Ruth-Davis.pdf
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Sargent.pdf
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Sipple.pdf
- High Performance Vermont Homes and Their Builders - A Case Study - Stackhouse.pdf
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond II
About the Speaker(s)-
Chris Miksic
Chris is a founding partner of Montpelier Construction. He has a diverse background as a designer and an energy efficient builder. Over the years, he has attended workshops and trainings in energy efficient building and high performing homes. Chris is a PHIUS+ certified Passive House builder and BPI Certified. As a Home Performance with Energy Star Contractor he has done many energy retrofit /upgrades through Efficiency Vermont for homeowners in Central Vermont. He takes great pride and pleasure that in addition to his contracting/design work, he continues to build hands-on alongside his co-workers.
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Indigo Ruth-Davis
Indigo is a PHIUS + Certified Passive House Consultant and builder. He is a partner at Montpelier Construction, one of central Vermont’s leading building performance companies. Indigo believes that what we build and how we build it is an important social issue as well as a key component of good environmental stewardship. As a Passive House Consultant he works to balance the aesthetic design components of the architect or homeowner and practical considerations of the builder with the goal of achieving the extremely low energy demand target of a Passive House.
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Paul Sipple
Paul, President of New England Construction Company, has been involved in all aspects of residential and commercial construction for over 35 years. He has also done a lot of roof leak investigation.
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Chris Stackhouse
Chris is a design builder with 40 years of experience in residential construction. After decades of striving for energy efficiency without any supporting organizations, he partnered with Efficiency Vermont in 2004 and has since completed eight ENERGY STAR® Homes.
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Using Equipment Dashboards to Reduce Energy Use
Innovations & High Performance, Commercial- Greg Baker, CEM, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Joshua Dalmer, Temperature Controls of Vermont
- Nick Stevenson, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
More and more, businesses are putting real-time energy usage information into the hands of their employees, who can control how that energy is used every day. Efficiency Vermont has helped one such business measure the energy cost per unit of its food processing production lines. Dashboards provide insight and engage operations staff in improving overall energy efficiency.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald II
About the Speaker(s)-
Greg Baker
Greg has more than 10 years of experience in the energy efficiency field, working almost exclusively with large commercial and industrial customers in positions including engineer, senior energy consultant and key account manager at VEIC. This unique combination offers a deep and thorough understanding of energy efficiency implementation in the commercial and industrial market sector. Greg holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as certifications in Certified Energy Manager and Certified Energy Auditor, and is a member of the Association of Facilities Engineers and the Association of Energy Engineers.
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Joshua Dalmer
Joshua is a Controls and Sales Engineer for Temperature Controls of Vermont. He has designed energy management platforms and energy dashboards for clients from single site commercial buildings to hospitals and multi-site manufacturing facilities in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York for 10 years. Prior to this, he worked in the trenches of mechanical systems repair, providing a foundation for his pragmatic approach to optimizing equipment and building performance. Joshua holds a degree from Champlain College in Data Network Design/Network Administration as well as many industry certifications relating to automation system design and best practices.
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Nick Stevenson
Nick has been working on energy efficiency, waste reduction and Green House Gas reduction programs at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. for the past four years. During this time, he has managed the energy and waste reduction targets for all major manufacturing sites. Most recently, he has worked to complete a utility sub-metering project which will provide real-time energy data compared to production to plant staff and management. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Finance from the University of Vermont. He has been trained as an ISO 14001 auditor.
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LED Lighting in Commercial Spaces: Quality and Performance
Lighting, Commercial- Eric Haugaard, Cree Lighting
- Irina Rasputnis, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
Though it has been around for years, LED lighting is still an emerging technology. Learn to distinguish good equipment, and how to use best practices in order to make the most of this exciting technology. We’ll outline the LED industry’s status, trajectory, and prospects, and point out tools, resources, and programs to help assure quality and performance now and into the future. A specific emphasis will be placed on color and the most widely adopted methods and metrics for describing all aspects of color quality and performance for general illumination.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond I
About the Speaker(s)-
Eric Haugaard
Eric is the Director of Product Technology for Cree Lighting, a position he has held for the past eight years. Previously, Eric was Engineering Manager of New Product Development for 11 years, and Mechanical Design and Product Development Engineer for seven years. Over the past decade Eric has presented lighting technology programs to diverse audiences throughout the world, including a strong focus on LED luminaire technologies. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, with Post-Baccalaureate Program studies completed at NASA/Ames Research Center.
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Irina Rasputnis
Irina is a Commercial Programs Manager at NEEP, managing the DesignLights Consortium® Qualified Products List (DLC QPL), a qualification program for commercial-sector LED lighting products. In this role, she is oversees the development and maintenance of technical requirements for product qualification and the accessibility and functionality of the DLC QPL. Irina holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Northeastern University and studied Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University.
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Total Light Management
Lighting, Residential & Commercial- William Hurwitz, Yusen Associates
- Donna Leban, AIA, LC, Light/Space/Design
From single-room to entire buildings, scalable control solutions are available and more affordable than ever. And now, small building HVAC and window shades may also be controlled with these systems, adding cost effectiveness. Using local case studies, learn how total light management can reduce operating costs, and create more flexible space as well as cut up to 60% of lighting energy use. Explore available options for improving cost effectiveness by adding temperature setback controls to simple HVAC systems.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
William Hurwitz
William, who worked directly for Lutron Electronics from 2001-2006, is now the Director of Yusen Associates, Lighting Controls Group. In his 12 years with Lutron & Yusen, William has been involved in the sales and marketing of various lighting control products to electrical distributors, lighting showrooms, interior designers, lighting designers, electrical engineers, architects, contractors, and end users. William has a Bachelor of Arts, Journalism from University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Master of Arts in Business Communications from Emerson College in Boston, MA.
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Donna Leban
Donna is the owner of Light/Space/Design. She holds a B.Arch., and an MS in Advanced Building Studies from Carnegie-Mellon University. Licensed as an architect in 1982, she has practiced in large and small architectural and design/build firms from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Vermont, and has helped educate consumers, architects, engineers, and contractors through educational programs throughout the United States. Donna has served as president of the AIA state chapter in Vermont. In addition to consulting and education, she has written books and articles on lighting for both public and professional publications.
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Innovative Pump Technologies and Their Energy Savings Potential
Mechanical, Residential & Commercial- Jesse Ander, Grundfos Pumps
Pump and motor applications account for 15-20% of worldwide energy consumption. As technologies advance, their energy-saving potential increases dramatically. Recent developments in motor design, pump hydraulics, system sizing recommendations, sensors, and pump control technologies have unlocked significant, low-cost energy savings potential in various single-family residential, multi-family residential, and commercial applications. Learn how you can take advantage of these new technologies, leveraging both Efficiency Vermont rebates and energy-saving potential.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald I
About the Speaker(s)-
Jesse Ander
Jesse is in charge of all energy efficiency efforts for Grundfos Pumps, the largest pump manufacturer in the world. He handles all engagement with the energy efficiency sector, including product research, laboratory testing, field demonstrations and evaluations, program design and implantation, and engagement with key energy efficiency stakeholders. His experience before joining Grundfos includes roles with Southern California Edison, NSTAR, and Willdan Energy Solutions. He holds two BA’s from UC Santa Barbara and a JD from Boston College.
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An Innovative Approach to Retrofitting a Historic Home
Envelope, Net Zero, Residential- Eli Gould, Ironwood Brand, LLC
- Alex Wilson, BuildingGreen, Inc.
This interactive session will address the many innovative materials and systems used in a cutting-edge, net-zero-energy renovation/rebuild of a historic home in southern Vermont, including cellular glass, cork, advanced heat pump use, and heat recovery strategies. Additionally, the home and farm demonstrate some key resilient design features as well as serving as a "resilience hub" for the adjoining village.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Room: Emerald III
About the Speaker(s)-
Eli Gould
Eli left his hometown in southern Vermont twenty years ago to pioneer what was then a new degree track at Yale University, combining architecture and environmental studies. He returned home and founded the vertically integrated company Ironwood Brand, combining sustainable forestry, native lumber, and prefabrication. In recent years he has led some of the most high performance residential buildings in the region, and developed a unique reputation for resilient system design, historically relevant adaptive re-use of buildings, and development of new construction assemblies.
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Alex Wilson
Alex is the founder and executive editor of BuildingGeeen, Inc. and Environmental Building News, as well as president of the Resilient Design Institute. For 30-plus years Alex has been researching and writing about low-energy, green building products and systems, and this major rebuild of an early-1800s house provided an opportunity to try out some of the innovative products he's been covering. Alex is a widely published writer and authority on energy-efficient, sustainable building.
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Missed Opportunities in Greening Hospitality
Innovations & High Performance, Commercial- Eric Corey Freed, LEED AP, Hon. FIGP, organicARCHITECT
In this workshop we’ll explore the hospitality design industry and a plan for how to cut its water and energy usage by more than half.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald II
About the Speaker(s)-
Eric Corey Freed
Keynote Eric Corey Freed, LEED AP, Hon. FIGP, is Founding Principal of organicARCHITECT, an architecture and consulting firm in California, with over 20 years of experience in green building. Eric co-developed the Sustainable Design programs at the Academy of Art University and University of California Berkeley Extension, and currently teaches at Boston Architectural College. He is on the boards of the Inland Empire Chapter of the USGBC, Architects/Designers & Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR), and Sustainable Stewards, as well as the advisory boards of over a dozen other organizations. See Keynote page for Eric's full bio.
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Zero Net Energy Buildings: From Policy to Practice
Innovations & High Performance, Commercial- Joseph Paul da Silva, NCARB, REFP, State of Rhode Island Dept of Elem & Secondary Ed.
- Carolyn Sarno, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
- Mark Walsh-Cooke, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Arup
This panel presentation will highlight the findings of the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership's “Roadmap to Zero Net Energy Public Buildings: Recommended Steps for the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic,” developed in collaboration with a group of regional building energy stakeholders. Learn what key steps the public sector can take to facilitate the eventual broad adoption of zero net energy building practices and the importance of focusing on new construction, as it provides the greatest opportunity for immediate action with the added benefit of substantial long term energy and cost savings.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Diamond II
About the Speaker(s)-
Joseph Paul da Silva
Joseph oversees the School Construction Program providing guidance and oversight of school construction and renovations in Rhode Island public school facilities. His goal is that all approved projects provide high quality learning environments, conserve natural resources, consume less energy, are easier to maintain, and provide an enhanced school facility. Prior to joining RIDE, Joseph was an Architect with The Mount Vernon Group. He is the recipient of several design awards including American Schools & University Outstanding Design and The Rhode Island Historic Preservation Commission Award to name a few.
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Carolyn Sarno
Carolyn manages Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership’s High Performance Building team. She assists states with the development and implementation of strategies to improve energy code compliance and promote operational energy savings in retrofits and new buildings. Carolyn has over 11 years of hands on Facilities Management experience most notably with the City of Newton, Mass. where she managed and coordinated all facilities operations and maintenance activities for 85 public buildings. Carolyn has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Salem State College and is a Certified Building Operator.
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Mark Walsh-Cooke
Mark is Principal with the Boston office of the international engineering firm Arup. He brings twenty-five years of experience in mechanical engineering design, analysis and construction and has particular experience in sustainable and environmentally responsible design including low energy design, renewable energy systems, and thermal performance of buildings. In addition to being a member of several professional associations, Mark sits on the Board of Directors for ACEC Massachusetts and is a member of the Massachusetts Zero Net Energy Buildings Advisory Council.
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Lighting Programs 101
Lighting, Residential & Commercial- Lara Bonn, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Susan Cook, PMP, SCPM, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Ravi Parikh, CEA, Burlington Electric Department
With the wide variety of efficient lighting promotions, participation can be confusing to customers and partners. We’ll highlight the differences and similarities across multiple lighting program offerings. Representatives from Efficiency Vermont and Burlington Electric Department will cover: commercial lighting programs, retail lighting promotions, the differences between custom and prescriptive, and why projects in the City of Burlington aren't handled by Efficiency Vermont. Gain a better understanding of the various offerings and how to best utilize them for their products and projects. Bring your questions!
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald I
About the Speaker(s)-
Lara Bonn
Lara is the Retail Efficient Products Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. She manages Efficiency Vermont’s incentive and rebate programs for lighting, appliances, and consumer electronics through the retail space. Prior to working for Efficiency Vermont, Lara worked as a consultant with Optimal Energy for five years, advising utilities across the country on energy efficiency program implementation. Before getting into the energy efficiency field, Lara worked with the U.S. EPA as a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton.
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Susan Cook
Sue is the Commercial Lighting Technology Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont. She manages Efficiency Vermont’s lighting programs targeting opportunities in energy efficiency for our commercial lighting partners and customers. Prior to working for Efficiency Vermont, Sue worked for many years as a Project and Program Manager in both the IT and Telecommunications industries at IBM and Vertek. Sue is a certified project management professional by both the Project Management Institute and Stanford University.
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Ravi Parikh
Ravi, who works mostly with small and medium commercial customers, joined BED in 2012. Being a Burlington resident (and Vermont native), Ravi is passionate about helping his local community. He has worked in the energy efficiency industry for over five years, including work for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Efficiency Vermont. Ravi’s past experiences bring a strong focus on lighting efficiency. His career has involved direct consultation with utility companies, distributors, contractors, and end-users. From program strategies to energy assessments, Ravi has worked hard to message the value of energy efficiency within the industry.
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Active Energy Recovery Utilizing Near-Frictionless Chillers
Mechanical, Commercial- Jeff Harrison, PE, LEED AP, The Blake Group
- William Turner, MS, PE, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
Learn how near-frictionless compressors for chillers capture waste exhaust energy for reuse, reducing the need for fossil fuels. We’ll cover systems for K-12 schools, offices, and universities, from theory of operation to type and configuration of chiller equipment. Participants will learn to recognize opportunities for application and the tools necessary for success.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Jeff Harrison
Jeff has been a consulting engineer providing mechanical, plumbing and fire protection services throughout New England since 1979. Currently as a Sales Engineer for Blake Group Holdings (BGH), specializing in Alternative Energy, Jeff spends a considerable portion of his time at BGH providing “Peak Performance Solutions” facility energy review services as part of a comprehensive plan to recover energy in industrial and institution buildings where oil is the fuel being utilized. Recent activities also include designing and installing closed loop geothermal systems in many variations for hybrid solar / geothermal heating and cooling systems.
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William Turner
Bill received his BS & MS in Engineering from Northeastern University and served for ten (10) years on the research staff of Harvard University School of Public Health conducting longitudinal air quality studies inside and outside of homes in six cities evaluating second hand smoke and gas appliances. Since then Mr. Turner has focused on Building Science& sustainability issues including energy use, indoor air quality, moisture, building shell design, net-zero buildings, building commissioning, and forensic evaluations. His experience includes rebuilding existing homes & buildings and the design of new buildings. He has published and lectured extensively.
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Maximizing the Efficiency of Condensing Boilers
Mechanical, Residential & Commercial- Matt Napolitan, PE, CPMP, LEED AP, Cx Associates
- Brent Weigel, PhD, PE, LEED AP, Cx Associates
Learn how to determine the appropriate control setpoints for Outdoor Air Temperature, reset of Hot Water Supply Temperature, and how to maximize the benefits of a condensing boiler. We'll show how default factory control parameters can affect condensing boiler efficiency, and present straightforward strategies for optimizing settings. The result? A condensing boiler system that meets specifications and optimizes energy use reductions at little to no additional first cost.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond I
About the Speaker(s)-
Matt Napolitan
Matt is a mechanical engineer with over 15 years of experience in energy efficient building design and operations. His commissioning experience includes major renovations, new construction, and retrocommissioning of commercial, industrial, educational, health care, and military facilities. Matt has extensive expertise in HVAC system efficiency and DDC controls optimization, as well as experience delivering meaningful, permanent measurement and verification systems. Matt has been the mechanical design engineer and project manager on nearly $1 billion worth of construction.
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Brent Weigel
Brent is a mechanical and civil engineer with expertise in design, research, and commissioning. Brett holds a Ph.D. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is a registered Professional Engineer as well as a LEED Accredited Professional. Brett has experience designing mechanical building systems, performing detailed mechanical load calculations and life cycle cost analyses, coordinating the LEED design process, and developing a Commercial Building/Site Selection Evaluation Framework for minimizing energy consumption.
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Keynote Address: Designing for the Post-Carbon Economy: It’s Zero or Nothing
- Eric Corey Freed, LEED AP, Hon. FIGP, organicARCHITECT
Presentation:
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Eric Corey Freed
Keynote Eric Corey Freed, LEED AP, Hon. FIGP, is Founding Principal of organicARCHITECT, an architecture and consulting firm in California, with over 20 years of experience in green building. Eric co-developed the Sustainable Design programs at the Academy of Art University and University of California Berkeley Extension, and currently teaches at Boston Architectural College. He is on the boards of the Inland Empire Chapter of the USGBC, Architects/Designers & Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR), and Sustainable Stewards, as well as the advisory boards of over a dozen other organizations. See Keynote page for Eric's full bio.
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Commercial Passivhaus Design Principles
Envelope, Commercial- Adam Cohen, Passiv Science
Join us for an overview of commercial Passive House Design, including types of use and occupancy patterns, calculation of accurate plug and lighting loads, and synergies in means and methods that lead to cost efficiency. We’ll explore the three commercial building types: Standard, Complex, and Special; and a group of both European and domestic case studies will be presented.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Room: Diamond II
About the Speaker(s)-
Adam Cohen
Adam is a principal partner in Structures Design/Build, LLC and Passiv Structures, LLC. As a leader in the Passive House movement in the United States he designed and built the first US Passive House public school, the first US mixed use assembly building, the first dental clinic built to Passive House standards in the world and currently has seven Passive House projects on the ground with four more in design, including five commercial projects. His leadership in commercial Passive House design has made him a sought after speaker, consultant and teacher of advanced courses in Passive House ultra-low energy design.
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Achieving Net-Zero Energy in a Campus Building
Innovations & High Performance, Commercial- John Rahill, Black River Design
- Charley Stevenson, Integrated Eco Strategy
Radical thinking often begins on college campuses—so why not apply that to the structures as well? Ambitious performance goals for campus buildings can help shape the thinking of our future leaders, but achieving verified net zero performance for a year- round institution involves new degrees of complexity. We’ll discuss the design, construction, and operational challenges of renovating an historic college structure to the Living Building Challenge standard, and how to engage the campus community along the way.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond I
About the Speaker(s)-
John Rahill
John’s career has been committed to sustainable and high performance design with an emphasis on durability, ease of maintenance, aesthetics, flexibility and occupant comfort. Recently, he has designed projects incorporating renewable energy sources, designed tight envelope using exterior insulation and he is currently working on a Living Building Challenge.
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Charley Stevenson
Charley brings a broad environmental perspective to project teams - helping optimize performance at every stage of design, development and through to operation. Charley’s current projects range from a single-family low-energy home to an institutional Living Building Challenge candidate to a 200,000 square foot LEED Gold candidate.
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No Loan, No Project—Strategies for Working with Appraisers, Lenders, and Residential / Introductory Realtors
Innovations & High Performance, Residential- Jeffrey Gephart, Vermontwise Energy Services, Inc.
- Roger Normand, homeowner
Hear one Passive House homeowner’s saga and lessons learned about seeking an appraisal for financing a Passive House. Learn strategies for using MLS data with appraisers, lenders, and Realtors®. Learn how the Appraisal Institute's Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum and how their Valuation of Sustainable Buildings Professional Development Program and Registry fit into getting a competent appraisal.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald II
About the Speaker(s)-
Jeffrey Gephart
Jeffrey is president of Vermontwise Energy Services, Inc. an energy services company in Rochester, Vermont, he co-founded in 1997. He has many years of experience in residential new construction energy-efficiency program design and implementation. On behalf of Efficiency Vermont, Jeff works with architects, builders, developers, trade allies, and consumers building ENERGY STAR® qualified homes, certifying LEED for Homes, National Green Building Standard, and Passive House projects. With the Vermont Green Home Alliance he is working with appraisers, mortgage lenders, realtors, the regional MLS, and others to ensure energy-efficient and sustainable building practices are appropriately valued in the housing market.
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Roger Normand
Roger can trace his fascination with homebuilding and residential energy efficiency to the early 1980s when he bought an older home in Virginia and realized there was no insulation. That somehow digressed to tearing down perfectly fine drywall and reframing the attic floor to add insulation. Two more extensively remodeled homes, several decades, and a completed career working as an analyst with the Navy, it's come to this: building a new home to the Passive House standard en route to net zero in southern Maine. Roger shares his experience in getting an appraisal to value being net zero.
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Lighting and Daylighting in Zero-Net Schools
Lighting, Commercial- James Benya, FIES, FIALD, Benya Burnett Consultancy
Learn how to design lighting for a zero-net energy building. Three school projects in different climates are presented in detail, including the innovative daylighting solutions and efficient lighting and controls that permit operation of fully-equipped schools at less than 20 kBTU/sq. ft./yr, in order to make renewable energy affordable. The presentation will include details of the commission process and energy use auditing and some very interesting and somewhat unexpected conclusions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald I
About the Speaker(s)-
James Benya
James is a professional lighting and daylighting designer and a registered engineer with over 40 years of experience in energy efficient buildings. He is a three time winner of the Edison Award for Environmental Design and a Fellow of both the IES and the IALD. Mr. Benya has made five presentations to Efficiency Vermont in recent years.
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Residential Lighting—A Strategy for the Northeast
Lighting, Residential- Claire Miziolek, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
Efficiency programs in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region have continuously achieved robust energy savings goals, but with the rapid evolution and changes in the lighting landscape, those savings are increasingly challenging to capture. Despite these challenges, enormous savings potential still exists in residential lighting, especially as technologies improve and gain market traction. We’ll cover trends and advances, explain the costs and benefits, and explore the context and applications of efficient residential lighting as part of the Regional Residential Lighting Strategy.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Claire Miziolek
Claire is the Residential Program Manager at NEEP. She is a member of the Market Strategies team, working to speed the use and adoption of high efficiency products. Claire manages the Business and Consumer Electronics Program, the Residential Lighting Program, and also supports the Retail Products Initiative. Ultimately, through these efforts, Claire works to keep the Northeast a national leader in energy efficiency. Prior to joining NEEP, Claire was the Education + Outreach Programs Manager at GTECH Strategies in Pittsburgh, PA. She is originally from Baltimore, MD. Claire holds a BA in Economics and Psychology from Cornell University.
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How Heat Pump Technology Will Capture the Market for HVAC in the Coming Residential & Commercial / Intermediate Decade
mechanical, Residential & Commercial- Jake Marin, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Natural gas currently enjoys a fuel price advantage over electricity in HVAC applications. However, the current generation of cold climate heat pump technology is able to achieve seasonal heating COPs of 3.0 and higher, making the use of electricity increasingly compelling. Explore the competitive economics behind heat pump technology, as well as the equipment that is going to transform the market for HVAC in the coming decade. We will also take a look at some real world examples of how this technology is being used through case studies here in Vermont.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald III
About the Speaker(s)-
Jake Marin
Jake is an Energy Consultant at VEIC and enthusiastic proponent of heat pump technology. He has conducted R&D into fossil displacement strategies and done both program design and implementation for 2 statewide heat pump programs. He is currently serving on the Leadership Advisory Council (LAC) for the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic air-source heat pump strategies project. Heat pumps provide a unique opportunity to “decarbonize” the thermal energy sector and he has devoted much energy to showing how this can work for us right here in Vermont. He is currently displacing natural gas heating at his home in Burlington with a ductless heat pump.
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Foam and Fossil-Fuel Free
Envelope, Residential- Ben Graham, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
- Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
How do we create high-performance buildings for a post-petroleum world? How can we achieve the best of building performance and durability in pursuit of net-zero building solutions without relying upon ecologically-destructive materials? Through case studies, material profiles, and field research showcasing a series of different envelope and mechanical systems, we’ll explore tangible and practical answers in both renovation and new construction environments and learn the importance of asking these questions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald II
About the Speaker(s)-
Ben Graham
Ben is an architectural designer by trade with a BArch from the Rhode Island School of Design. He is also a third generation woodworker and house builder, learning homebuilding first-hand from his grandfather. Ben has been at the front of developing the natural building movement in Vermont and the northeast since 2000 as a professional contractor and an organizer for the network of natural builders in the northeast. His advocacy work has brought him attention in books, newspapers, TV and conferences. Ben also serves on the Plainfield Planning Commission and is actively engaged in developing planning models for sustainable community living.
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Jacob Deva Racusin
Jacob is co-owner of New Frameworks Natural Design/Build, offering services in green remodeling, new construction, consultation, and education. Jacob is an instructor at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, where he is the former director of the Natural Building Intensive Program. A BPI-certified contractor and Certified Passive House Consultant, Jacob has conducted field research on moisture and thermal performance of straw bale wall systems, which is featured in his co-authored book The Natural Building Companion.
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Innovative New Models for Sustainable Development
Innovations & High Performance, Residential & Commercial- Eric Corey Freed, LEED AP, Hon. FIGP, organicARCHITECT
We’ll explore how the lessons learned from history, biomimicry, crowdfunding, and collaborative consumption can provide new insight into ways to design living, regenerative buildings for everyone in a matter of decades. Through case studies, we will discover new tools to design and fund a new wave of innovative buildings. Using biomimicry and organic principles as our guide, we’ll uncover tangible, actionable lessons you can apply to our built environment and discuss how to engage clients—creating healthier buildings in the process.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald III
About the Speaker(s)-
Eric Corey Freed
Keynote Eric Corey Freed, LEED AP, Hon. FIGP, is Founding Principal of organicARCHITECT, an architecture and consulting firm in California, with over 20 years of experience in green building. Eric co-developed the Sustainable Design programs at the Academy of Art University and University of California Berkeley Extension, and currently teaches at Boston Architectural College. He is on the boards of the Inland Empire Chapter of the USGBC, Architects/Designers & Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR), and Sustainable Stewards, as well as the advisory boards of over a dozen other organizations. See Keynote page for Eric's full bio.
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Multifamily Deeper Energy Retrofits: Successes and Challenges
Innovations & High Performance, Residential & Commercial- R. Scott Campbell, Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership
- Craig Peltier, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
Building owners and efficiency programs depend on savings estimates to prioritize work. Does that guarantee long-term operational sustainability? From 2010 to 2012, Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership estimated 43% average savings in 184 buildings with over 1,500 units. How did we do? Where did we nail it, where did we miss, and why? What is long-term operational sustainability? We’ll review the results of a summer 2013 fuel study to answer these questions.
Presentation(s):
Level: Advanced Room: Diamond II
About the Speaker(s)-
R. Scott Campbell
Scott is Administrator of Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership, which provides technical support and incentive funding to owners of affordable multifamily properties throughout Vermont. VFEP's mission is energy retrofits beyond what is possible in Weatherization or other programs. Scott's background is as a builder, contractor, building designer, and Weatherization program director. He is the author of a DOE-approved energy audit tool in use as the Vermont Weatherization Program's multifamily tool.
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Craig Peltier
Craig has been Vermont Housing & Conservation Board's Asset Manager since 2006. He provides oversight and technical assistance across the VHCB-funded portfolio of multifamily housing statewide. He also oversees building design, energy efficiency and operational requirements on current development underwriting activity. Craig has played a key role at VHCB in various research and policy initiatives focused on increasing long term project viability with a particular emphasis on energy efficiency standards and protocols.
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Smart Lighting—Beyond Ordinary Illumination
Lighting, Commercial- Bob Karlicek, PhD, Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center–RPI
With LEDs now driving a global transition from electric to electronic lighting, a wide new range of lighting services and technologies will emerge. By controlling the spectral, spatial, and digital content of illumination, smart lighting systems will sense their environment, simultaneously transmit and receive optical data, interact with building and grid control systems, and deliver the right light exactly when and where it is needed. Learn some of the technology—and the technological barriers—for the adoption of smart lighting, and what wider implications it may have.
Presentation(s):
- Smart Lighting Beyond Ordinary Illumination.pdf
- Smart Lighting Beyond Ordinary Illumination - Karlicek.pptx
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald I
About the Speaker(s)-
Bob Karlicek
Robert directs the Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center and is a Professor of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He obtained his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and has over 40 published technical papers and 38 U.S. patents.
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Moving Toward Net-Zero: Alternative Energy Systems for Homes and Building Residential / Intermediate Clusters
Mechanical, Residential- Skip Hayden, CanmetENERGY
Explore a range of advanced hybrid energy systems that can effectively and efficiently provide heat, ventilation and even electricity for homes and building clusters moving to net-zero, while integrating renewables and low-to-zero carbon-emitting fuels. We'll discuss the advantages and drawbacks of each, and how borehole-storage and renewably-derived fuels can allow for the use of intermittent or seasonally-varying renewable energy, when coupled with the hybrid technologies.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond I
About the Speaker(s)-
Skip Hayden
Skip is Senior Research Scientist, and Director, Renewables & Integrated Energy Systems, at CanmetENERGY. For more than 30 years he has been carrying out applied R&D on residential, commercial, industrial and district energy systems, concentrating on improving energy efficiency and utilizing renewable energy. He works closely with industry, utilities, standards organizations and policy makers to develop and implement new concepts and technologies. He was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Federal Public Service Award for Excellence. He has given over 500 workshops on energy systems, is the author of more than 250 technical publications and has written numerous consumer guides on efficient energy use.
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Taking Control to Get to Net Zero
Mechanical, Commercial- Maribella Ibarra, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Sandra LaFlamme, PE, CEM, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Designers and building owners striving for net-zero energy goals are being assisted today by wireless controls, automated data analytics, and user-friendly graphical interfaces accessible from any internet-accessible device. Get an introduction to the latest new controls and software. Examples of controls-based energy saving opportunities from local businesses will be shared.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Maribella Ibarra
Maribella Ibarra has a Professional Engineering license from the State of Vermont and has a LEED AP BD+C certification. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Vermont. She was a Facilities Engineer at IBM then a Technical Department Manager at EnSave before joining VEIC as an Energy Consultant in 2010. She is part of a Controls Technical Solutions Group which provides technical support and education to Efficiency Vermont staff and customers.
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Sandra LaFlamme
Sandra has a Professional Engineering license from the State of Vermont and is a Certified Energy Manager. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alaska and was an HVAC and plumbing systems designer before becoming the Energy Manager for the University of Vermont. She then worked for Vermont Gas as an Energy Services Engineer in their Energy Services before joining VEIC in 2006 as an Energy Consultant. She is part of a Controls Technical Solutions Group which provides technical support and education to Efficiency Vermont staff and customers.
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High Performance Historic Masonry Retrofits: Safely Renovating for the Next Residential & Commercial / Intermediate 100 Years
Envelope, Residential & Commercial- Ken Levenson, 475 High Performance Building Supply
The historic brick wall is uninsulated and prone to air infiltration, but weatherization can be problematic. Exterior insulation is often prohibited and interior insulation is complicated. We’ll look at how you can insulate brick walls safely from the interior, while considering moisture drive, bulk rain water issues and insulation materials, and the dangers of freeze-thaw, making a more robust structure for decades to come.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond II
About the Speaker(s)-
Ken Levenson
Ken has been a registered architect in New York State since 1993. In 2011 Ken started 475 High Performance Building Supply, a company dedicated to helping transform green construction to high-performance building across the US. Ken is a Certified Passive House Designer, a founding board member of New York Passive House and an Affiliate Council Member of the International Passive House Association. Ken regularly lectures on the Passive House standard, building science and issues around high-performance enclosures.
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High Performance Mobile Home Replacement
Innovations & High Performance, Residential- Peter Schneider, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
A modular home factory in White River Junction has opened to build high performance mobile home replacement units. While there have been other efforts to replace mobile homes outside Vermont, they have done so with newer manufactured housing units that suffer from high off-gassing materials, poor indoor air quality, high energy costs and overall poor quality. Ten high performance replacement units will be installed around the State by Spring 2014 in nonprofit-owned mobile home parks. The design and build process, in addition to post-occupancy data from these homes, will be discussed.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald II
About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Schneider
Peter works as a Senior Energy Consultant at Efficiency Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. He provides technical support to builders, architects, affordable housing agencies and homeowners participating in a number of different programs such as ENERGY STAR Homes, LEED and Passive House. Peter's goal is to help his clients build more energy-efficient, healthy, durable and sustainable buildings.
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The Critical Need: Building Organizational Capacity
Innovations & High Performance, Residential & Commercial- Ann Edminster, Design AVEnues LLC
New technologies are often identified as the key to achieving net-zero (ZNE), but the principal barriers to ZNE are not technological, but cultural. Learn why education is the key to widespread achievement of net-zero energy building performance, identify effective change management strategies, and build your organization’s capacity to deliver higher performance.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald III
About the Speaker(s)-
Ann Edminster
Ann is a leading expert on green homes, focusing on assisting design and building professionals in developing their capacity to create better buildings. Ann authored "Energy Free: Homes for a Small Planet", a comprehensive guide for those seeking to create zero net energy homes; she teaches widely on that subject. She also serves the Board of the Net Zero Energy Home Coalition and is the Chair of the inaugural Net Zero North American Leadership Summit (Oct 2013). Ann was a principal developer of the LEED for Homes Rating System.
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Human Centric Lighting
Lighting, Residential & Commercial- Stan Walerczyk, LC, CLEP, HCLP, Lighting Wizards
Meet the new generation of dimmable and Kelvin-changing LED products that make human centric lighting design possible. These technologies and more can be used together to improve mood, restore circadian rhythms, and improve visual acuity and performance. Many of these LEDs emit the same amount of light for the same efficacy as standard LED lamps. We’ll review the pros and cons of each, present several institutional and office-based case studies, and examine how human centric design may be possible for you and your clients.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
Stan Walerczyk
Stan has focused on Human Centric Lighting for the last two years, including writing magazine articles, presenting numerous seminars and webinars across North America, Hawaii and South Korea and designing several cost effective, healthy and energy efficient projects. He has been a major builder of the Human Centric Lighting website and is chair of that committee, which includes researchers, experts, designers, contractors, utility and rebate people, and manufacturers. In general, he has 25 years of well-rounded lighting experience, has written over 50 articles and white papers and presented 800 classes, including 6 at Lightfairs.
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The Application and Costs of Lighting Controls
Lighting, Commercial- Gabe Arnold, PE, LC, Optimal Energy
- Kandice H. Castellino, Osram Sylvania
Lighting controls can bring significant savings and value to projects, yet are often left out or eliminated due to their complexity and cost. What can we do about it? From simple stand-alone controls to complex networked systems, this workshop will provide an overview of lighting control saving strategies, the different types of control systems on the market, application design techniques, and strategies to reduce their cost and keep them on projects.
Presentation(s):
- The Application and Costs of Lighting Controls - Arnold.pdf
- The Application and Costs of Lighting Controls - Castellino.pdf
- The Application and Costs of Lighting Controls Prize Quiz - Arnold.pdf
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond I
About the Speaker(s)-
Gabe Arnold
Gabe is a Senior Consultant with Optimal Energy Inc, an energy efficiency and renewable energy consulting firm based in Hinesburg, Vermont. He has more than 13 years of experience in the energy efficient lighting industry developing policies and programs to support energy efficiency for businesses and consumers. Gabe currently serves as an advisor to the Design Lights Consortium and is a member of the Steering Committee of the DOE CALIPER LED product testing program. He has a B.S. in Engineering from Colorado School of Mines and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Vermont.
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Kandice H. Castellino
Kandice of OSRAM SYLVANIA, Inc. serves as Director of Utility Relations for the ENCELIUM® Energy Management System (EMS) and works with a wide range of energy-related businesses throughout North America to accelerate the adoption of advanced lighting controls and total light management solutions. Kandice has spent her career focusing on energy-reduction initiatives for lighting and HVAC systems within residential, commercial and industrial buildings. She was formerly employed by Lutron Electronics and Trane, Inc. and is a graduate of Lehigh University with a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering.
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Indoor Air Quality in the Net Zero Home
Mechanical, Residential- William Turner, MS, PE, Turner Building Science & Design, LLC
Distributing and filtering ventilation air to meet ASHRAE Standard 62.2 is a key item in any home that meets Passive House air tightness goals. Learn the design, implementation, and energy techniques for a large home located in climate zone 6.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Emerald I
About the Speaker(s)-
William Turner
Bill received his BS & MS in Engineering from Northeastern University and served for ten (10) years on the research staff of Harvard University School of Public Health conducting longitudinal air quality studies inside and outside of homes in six cities evaluating second hand smoke and gas appliances. Since then Mr. Turner has focused on Building Science& sustainability issues including energy use, indoor air quality, moisture, building shell design, net-zero buildings, building commissioning, and forensic evaluations. His experience includes rebuilding existing homes & buildings and the design of new buildings. He has published and lectured extensively.
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Choices: A 27-Year Case Study of a Designer's Own Home
Envelope, Residential- Milford Cushman, Cushman Design Group
- Lindsay Jones, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
In search of building performance perfection, aesthetics and livability are often sacrificed and compromised. We offer an alternative road map toward Net Zero. Explore the details of making design and performance choices over 27 years on a home located in Hyde Park, VT which began as a 900-square-foot house. The choice to accomplish a recent Deep Energy Retrofit was driven by a number of factors, including economics, reuse and renewal , and the artistry and craft of architecture.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald II
About the Speaker(s)-
Milford Cushman
Milford is a professional designer with over 30 years of practice committed to creative, functional, intuitive and efficient design solutions. When founding his design practice in 1988, Milford relied on his years of being an educator, a keen observer, a builder, a versatile designer and on the fundamental philosophy of collaboration with his studio, clients and contractors. His grasp of the intricate connection between people and their relationship with the built environment was evident when he was a young man. Now, his strength is his understanding that client and site specific design solutions make a significant difference in our lives.
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Lindsay Jones
Lindsay is a residential new construction Energy Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. She provides technical support to builders, contractors, architects and homeowners participating in programs such as ENERGY STAR Homes and the National Green Building Standard. Lindsay’s comprehensive and accessible approach helps her guide clients towards the best path to realizing an energy efficient project. She is a certified Energy Rater, accredited National Green Building Standard verifier, and has a Master’s degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Vermont.
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Using Pressurized Theatrical Fog
Envelope, Residential & Commercial- Henri Fennell, CSI/CDT, HC Fennell Consulting
Learn the pressurized theatrical fog method for quality assurance and diagnostics in building enclosures. We’ll look at several ways that fog testing can be performed, including working from the inside or outside, by filling pressurized volumes or washing the surfaces of pressurized or depressurized enclosure surfaces, and how both ends of air leakage paths can be located, a unique advantage of this protocol. Sample fog testing specifications are discussed, as well as the pending ASTM standard.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Diamond II
About the Speaker(s)-
Henri Fennell
Henri is an architect and building envelope specialist with over forty years of experience in the construction industry. He was a pioneer in the solar industry, introduced the installation technique for field-applied closed-cell cavity-fill polyurethane foam, developed a pressurized theatrical fog quality assurance technique and protocol, and has designed and constructed a net-zero energy research structure in Antarctica. He has four energy-related U.S. patents and has participated in thousands of high-performance and specialty building projects.
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Financing Options for Energy Projects
Innovations & High Performance, Residential & Commercial- Peter Adamczyk, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Familiarize yourself with the concepts of cash flow and energy projects: comparing projected energy savings with loan costs so you can assess—and share—a project's true economic value. We’ll look at Vermont-specific case studies, examining the economics of several projects. We’ll also review the financing options available throughout the state, discussing the pros and cons of each.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald III
About the Speaker(s)-
Peter Adamczyk
Peter is a Managing Consultant at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He leads the Finance Team in the development and implementation of financing strategies and services that support VEIC's goal of reducing the economic and environmental costs of energy use. His responsibilities include development, analysis, and advocacy activities regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy.
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Best Practices in Retail Lighting
Lighting, Commercial- James Benya, FIES, FIALD, Benya Burnett Consultancy
Retail businesses often have unique and stringent requirements for lighting. Not only needed for general illumination, lighting can make the difference in product sales. Energy efficiency is often considered secondarily, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn the aspects of retail lighting and specific energy saving strategies—LED, controls, daylighting, and more—that can make energy-efficient and attractive lighting design possible.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Amphitheatre
About the Speaker(s)-
James Benya
James is a professional lighting and daylighting designer and a registered engineer with over 40 years of experience in energy efficient buildings. He is a three time winner of the Edison Award for Environmental Design and a Fellow of both the IES and the IALD. James has made five presentations to Efficiency Vermont in recent years.
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Geothermal Heat Pump Systems—Most Efficient, Least Understood
Mechanical, Residential & Commercial- Martin Orio, New England Geothermal Professional Association
Geothermal or groundsource heat pumps are—at their core—solar energy management machines. When properly applied they provide the highest-efficiency heating and cooling of any device on the planet. So why aren't they everywhere? Come learn how geothermal works, and how to make it work for you.
Presentation(s):
Level: Introductory Room: Diamond I
About the Speaker(s)-
Martin Orio
Martin is President of The New England Geothermal Professional Association. He and his family have been involved with geothermal heat pump systems for over 38 years, and are known for providing by the book design, training, equipment and application support exclusively for geo systems throughout the northeast.
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Roof Top Units: Saving Energy and Improving Occupant Comfort
Mechanical, Commercial- Ethan Bellavance, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- Mary Jane Poynter, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Sixty percent of US commercial building area is conditioned with Roof Top Units (RTUs). Historically, RTUs have been considered “set and forget” systems, which has led to more than sixty percent of existing RTU's having one or more malfunctions at the expense of efficiency and comfort. We’ll look into the changing RTU market and examine opportunities for improved maintenance and control of existing equipment, as well as emerging technologies for new high-efficiency equipment so facilities managers can improve both occupant comfort and their bottom line.
Presentation(s):
Level: Intermediate Room: Emerald I
About the Speaker(s)-
Ethan Bellavance
Ethan is an Energy Consultant at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. He specializes in commercial and agricultural energy projects. Ethan has been working for the nation’s oldest and leading statewide energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont, for close to three years. Ethan’s projects range across the spectrum of refrigeration, new construction, existing buildings, and the multifamily housing market. Ethan holds a BS in Environmental Science with a focus on Ecological Design from the University of Vermont.
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Mary Jane Poynter
Mary Jane is a Senior Energy Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. She specializes in commercial, industrial, and multifamily building energy projects, working primarily through the nation’s oldest and leading statewide energy efficiency utility, Efficiency Vermont. A 15-year veteran of the energy efficiency industry, her projects range across the spectrum of new construction, existing buildings, ski resorts, and the affordable housing market. Mary Jane is a Certified Energy Manager, and a 12-year member of her local ASHRAE chapter. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.