BetterBuiltNW December 2024 Newsletter

Top BetterBuiltNW resources from 2024

Thank you for advancing high-performance building practices with us in 2024. This year, BetterBuiltNW provided resources, case studies and training to support your efforts, and we’re excited to continue this work in 2025.

Revisit these top resources from 2024 to refresh your knowledge and inspire your 2025 plans.

Wishing you a happy and successful 2025!

• Code Cookbook Offers Strategies for Satisfying 2021 WSEC-R Additional Energy Efficiency Requirements: This resource can help you better understand and comply with the 2021 Washington State Residential Energy Code (WSEC-R) Section R406: Additional Energy Efficiency Requirements. This essential guide for builders and designers of new, single-family residences in Washington outlines simple “recipes” for compliance, depending on home size and heating systems. Download the Cookbook resource.
• Find Useful Information on the 45L Tax Credit in Our Resource Hub: Visit this essential hub for resources and tips to navigate the 45L tax credit. Resources include a Builder’s Guide designed to maximize tax credits, a link to the IRS page, a list of requirements for eligible energy-efficiency programs for single-family homes, a section to discover certified professionals in your area, and relevant FAQs. Explore the 45L tax credit resource hub.
• In Practice: See How Your Peers Used Technology and Advanced Practices to Build Northwest Homes: From the wonders of modern triple-pane windows to the energy-efficient strategies used by Northwest builders, these 2024 case studies offer beneficial insight for your business. Visit the BetterBuiltNW case study page to learn more.

BetterBuiltNW and Earth Advantage’s Top Trainings from 2024

The path to building better homes starts with the right knowledge and strategies. These on-demand trainings from BetterBuiltNW’s partner, Earth Advantage, provide practical, actionable guidance for modern homebuilders. Explore essential best practices, innovative materials, and techniques designed to enhance energy efficiency, comfort, and affordability—while staying ahead of the curve in sustainable construction.

• Top 10 Best Practices for Today’s Homebuilder: Gain practical insights from the job site that every builder must know to keep pace with building code changes and ahead of homebuyer expectations. This training breaks down 10 building approaches into a spectrum of "Good, Better & Best" practices for quality home construction. Information presented will help you increase the energy efficiency, comfort, and durability of the homes you build. Register here for the 3-hour online course with Continuing Education credits, or watch the training video.
• Practical Solutions for Selecting & Installing Exterior Insulation: Get a better understanding of the building science, durability, energy efficiency, and installation details to consider when choosing an exterior insulation approach. The principles and practices covered in this training include wall design, insulation strategies, air sealing, product selection, and construction. The strategies covered during this session can help builders meet energy codes and build homes that produce comfort at a low operating cost. Register here for the 1-hour online course with Continuing Education credits, or watch the training video.
• Zero Energy Homes: Updates & Cost-Effective Approaches: 'Zero Energy' can be defined as: A home that generates as much energy on site as it uses over the course of a year, making it essentially require zero energy. Join us for this training as we discuss what it takes to achieve ZE & ZER, the homeowner benefits it provides, and how professionals are achieving this standard across the Northwest. Register here for the 1-hour online course with Continuing Education credits, or watch the training video.

View the full list of on-demand courses from Earth Advantage.