SOUTH BURLINGTON — More than 900 attendees gathered at the recent Better Building by Design (BBD) conference earlier this month. Efficiency Vermont’s annual event brings together design professionals, leaders in building construction, and experts in climate workforce trades. Thirteen “Best of the Best” awards were given out to builders, architects, designers, and HVAC and plumbing installers for their commitment to energy excellence.
Among the recipients in the residential new construction category was a housing rehabilitation project in downtown Brattleboro. Headed by Community Development Support Inc. with support from several financial partners, the project involved a full gut rehab of the long-vacant DeWitt Block, built around 1900, that includes a co-working office space on the first floor and a total of 15 housing units. The homes benefit from substantial renovations, including environmental remediation, new insulation and air sealing, new high-efficiency windows, and a rooftop solar panel system, according to a news release. The building meets Efficiency Vermont’s high-performance track and received Energy Star and Zero Energy Ready Home certifications thanks in part to Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, and all heating and cooling met via roof-mounted heat pumps.
Substantial renovations included the remediation of environmental contamination and complete building of a new wall assembly within the existing brick shell, including framing, 2-inch continuous closed-cell spray foam with 3.5-inch mineral wool in cavities, vapor barriers, and air sealing. New high-efficiency windows went on the west and north facades, and existing historic windows were rebuilt and reinstalled along with interior storm windows on the south and east facades. Builders also installed a rooftop solar array system, with a capacity of 22.26 kW DC, 17.3 kW AC.
The building meets the criteria for Efficiency Vermont’s high-performance track, according to the release. It is fully heated and cooled via roof-mounted air-to-air heat pumps. Energy recovery units with a minimum sensible recovery efficiency of 70 percent are incorporated into the building’s ventilation system. The building also achieved low air leakage rates of less than 0.2 CFM per square foot of building exterior, thanks to extensive air sealing. Domestic hot water comes from three air source water heaters in the basement.
The project was completed in November of 2023.
Hosted at the Double Tree Hotel & Conference Center in South Burlington from April 2-3, the BBD Conference was devoted to the theme of “2030 on the Horizon: Assessing Vermont's Vision Versus Reality.” Attendees gathered to discuss the latest in efficiency practices and technologies, build new relationships and professional connections, and share insights and experiences through nearly 50 sessions and workshops. In all, over four dozen vendors packed the sold-out exhibit hall with new products and systems that can help Vermont homes and businesses achieve their energy goals.
With volatility around prices, energy policies, and workforce availability, Efficiency Vermont Managing Director Peter Walke told the crowd he remains optimistic about Vermont’s path to 2030. “Politics and policies may change, but what doesn’t change is how we deliver for our customers,” Walke said in a statement. “Investments in efficiency offer stability and affordability when so much else is uncertain.”
This year’s BBD keynote addressed energy insecurity. Speaker Dr. Diana Hernández, an associate professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, shared solutions that emphasize people, health, comfort, and resilience. Noting multiple shortcomings in the U.S. energy safety net, Hernández said aging energy infrastructure and climate change further increase vulnerability. She urged policymakers, community organizations, utilities, and the climate workforce to work together to improve energy affordability. “If we get it right, eradicating energy insecurity will deliver social and environmental benefits around emissions, efficiency, affordability, and accessibility, while promoting health, wealth, and democracy,” she said.
