Posts by Tim Biebel
What’s a Smart Slab Assembly for Net Zero Construction in Vermont?
Net zero construction in Vermont requires executing high-performance building practices in every aspect of the residential project. A home built to net zero construction in Vermont assumes that the building contractor has incorporated high-performance standards within every element of construction. A high-performance home is super-insulated from the foundation to the roof, super sealed from air incursion, and…
Read MoreWhat is Net Zero Energy Construction in Vermont?
With new homes technology moving so fast today, terms such as: “green energy,” “renewal resources,” “solar,” “geo-thermal,” and more, can lead to confusion. The term, “net zero” simply means that the home produces as much energy as it uses, resulting in a net end-of-year zero usage of energy and thus zero net energy costs. Renewable…
Read MoreAffordable Zero Energy Homes: A Balloon Framed Wall does it All!
We’ve discovered that a double 2×4, balloon framed, an exterior wall with dense pack insulation performs at the highest level – satisfying both demands of thermal and fire blocking performance and cost-effectiveness. Not only that, the less I depend on using foam, the more relaxed my clients seem to be when building affordable zero energy homes.…
Read MoreA Conventional Home vs. a Net Zero Construction in Vermont Home
Rising energy costs and the greater desire among many to be responsible stewards of our environment are making net-zero homes the new norm. While net zero construction in Vermont is not brand new compared with conventional construction, it is relatively new. Because if its newness, for most people, building a net zero home is a…
Read MoreCost and Energy Considerations for a ProHome
Cost and energy efficiency considerations drove many design decisions for the ProHOME project. But the upgrades inside, like the cabinets and counters in the kitchen and the radiant heat in the bathroom, help to make the sale. Watch this video to see how these factors related to finish a beautiful and affordable production home.
Read MoreYour High-Performance Custom Home Won’t Make You Sick
I asked my Dad to create the blog for this week. Here’s what he had to say: The notion that a house can become sick has always interested me. I have seen five-year-old houses that were so sick that they had to be torn down. It was a very sad situation where an older builder,…
Read More5 Reasons Why a Heat Pump May Be Great For Your Custom Home Build
Most people have heard of ductless cooling and heating systems today. You also might have seen a small indoor device installed high on the walls in a restaurant, office building or even in friends home. Here are five reasons you should consider installing a mini-split heat pump during your Custom Home Build. The Are Ductless…
Read MoreWhat’s a Smart Slab Assembly for Net Zero Construction in Vermont?
Net zero construction in Vermont requires executing high performance building practices in every aspect of the residential project. A home built to net zero construction in Vermont assumes that the building contractor has incorporated high performance standards within every element of construction. A high performance home is super-insulated from the foundation to the roof, super sealed from…
Read More25 Questions to Ask a Zero Energy Home Builder in VT
The Context: You’ve decided that it’s time to downsize (or right size) and to do it in Vermont, so now you’re searching for a builder who specializes in high performance / zero energy home construction. You want a builder you can believe in and trust that, when it comes to High Performance construction technology, he…
Read More4 Keys to Know a Net-Zero Home in Vermont Actually Will Be Net Zero
One of the worst fears imaginable is that you contract for a net-zero home in Vermont or New Hampshire and get something else. Maybe you get some form of energy-saving home with solar panels, but it doesn’t achieve net zero. A net zero home, by definition, is a home whose energy consumption is equal to…
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