January 25, 2023
BetterBuiltNW January 2023 Newsletter
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Every month this section features must-read content from past newsletters – just in case you missed it.
Programs in the News
RESNET: Inflation Reduction Act Includes Federal Energy Retrofits Funds: Earlier this year Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The legislation included the 10-year extension and reform of the 45L federal tax credit for energy-efficient homes. RESNET was active in working with the House and Senate tax-writing committees on the 45L reform and extension. To read this article, click here.
RESNET: Changes to the RESNET MINHERS Standards Effective on January 1, 2023: RESNET standard development procedures require that major changes to the RESNET HERS® standards are implemented on January 1 and July 1 of each year. The several standard amendments went into effect on January 1, 2023. To read this article, click here.
RESNET: RESNET Announces Public Comment on Draft MINHERS Addendum: Draft PDS-02 Addendum 71f, SEER2/HSPF2 Conversions: RESNET Standard Development Committee 300 approved Draft PDS-02 of MINHERS Addendum 71f, SEER2/HSPF2 Conversions, for public review and comment. The addendum amends Chapter 3 to add definitions for SEER2 and HSPF2 and conversion factors to be used in HERS® rating software. Draft PDS-02 includes changes resulting from public comment on draft PDS-01.To read this article, click here.
Built Green Case Study: Mirra Homes—Contemporary Density in Magnolia: Medium density and Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood are not typically associated with each other. However, Mirra Homes’ Magnolia development offers 15 new townhomes in this staunchly single-family neighborhood, increasing the site’s density by 400%. To read this article, click here.
Zero Energy Project: Cold Climate Heat Pumps Warm Homes on the Coldest Days: In the US, about 13% of total CO2 emissions come from heating residential and commercial buildings. Because so many buildings rely on natural gas and heating oil, significant opportunity for reducing heating emissions lies with electric heat pumps. Heat pumps have been popular in the South for decades, but there are a lot of questions about how well they work in colder climates. To read this article, click here.
Energy Vanguard: Can You Replace an Air Conditioner with a Same-Size Heat Pump?: This Energy Vanguard article explains what to expect in terms of performance when swapping out a traditional air conditioning and furnace system with a heat pump to heat and cool a home. To read this article, click here.
Seattle Times: Washington Building Council Votes to Require Heat Pumps in New Homes and Apartments: New homes and apartments in Washington will be required to install heat pumps beginning in July 2023, the Washington State Building Code Council ruled on November 4, 2022. The council voted 9-5 on the ruling, a decision that could help the state further reduce carbon emissions by electrifying the heating systems of new buildings. To read this article, click here.
Master Builders of Kings and Snohomish County: Announces 2022 Award Winners: The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) announced the prestigious 2022 award winners at its annual year-end gala on Thursday, December 1. To read this article, click here.
Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News: HVACR Cooling System Innovation Takes Off: Cities and states around the U.S. are passing laws designed to decarbonize their economies. In the U.S., the federal government along with numerous states have pledged to aggressively reduce—and potentially eliminate—carbon emissions over the next few decades. This typically involves encouraging Americans to replace their fossil fuel appliances such as gas furnaces with electric heat pumps. To read this article, click here.