Buildings

Renters and Weatherization: A Match Made by Mass Save

I’ll be honest – I didn’t think that home insulation would be a holiday party conversation for me just six months into my being at NEEP, but I was wrong. I was having a group of friends over in December, and when someone mentioned that they recently worked with a home energy auditor for free I immediately said “oh my gosh, through the Mass Save program for renters??” So yes, my party had it all! Cookies, drinks, and very informative conversation about weatherization assistance.

Smart Homes and Buildings: Residential and Commercial Trends

This blog was co-authored by Andy Winslow, Public Policy Associate, and Bryan Evans, Residential Program Associate.

Fifteen years ago, thinking of the future inspired thoughts synonymous with anything from the Jetsons - flying cars, smart technologies throughout the home, and Rosie the robot helping with daily chores.

Growing the Workforce and the Spectacular Urgency of NOW

The new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has reminded us all of the urgent importance to address climate change. We must rapidly ramp up efforts to decarbonize all industry sectors, make them more resilient, and prioritize sustainability.

Considerations for Community Engagement: A New CAPEE Tool

When I’m confronted with a big decision in my life, whether it’s about my career, a relationship, housing, or money, I go to my trusted circle for advice. I know that my parents, sisters, friends, and colleagues will all have valuable perspectives and wisdom that can help me make my decision. We invest in relationships to maintain a support network of people we trust and value, who will give us their insights and feedback so that hard decisions are easier to make.

The Future of Buildings: Everything is Connected

Connection(s) are everything. It's true in our professional and personal relationships, and now more than ever, it's true for buildings. We have arrived at a time when we are designing and constructing zero energy buildings (houses, commercial buildings, schools) at cost, with a quicker and more significant return on investment than traditional construction.

The 2021 IECC, the Last Energy Code?

A March 3, 2021 vote by the International Code Council's (ICC) Board of Directors eliminated the governmental member consensus vote - the final phase of the triannual code update process for future versions of the International Energy Conservation Code. Instead, the ICC will utilize the ANSI standard development process to promulgate the 2024 IECC.

Strategic Electrification: A Pathway to Decarbonization

States and local jurisdictions have many strategies in their playbooks to meet overall decarbonization goals. One such strategy that is essential to the building sector is strategic electrification or beneficial electrification. Strategic electrification refers to the replacement of building equipment and appliances that would typically run on fossil fuels (such as gas heaters, ovens, boilers, and gas dryers) with energy-efficient equipment that is powered by electricity.

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