January 22, 2026
BetterBuiltNW January 2026 Newsletter
Top BetterBuiltNW content from 2025
Thank you for advancing high-performance building practices with us in 2025. BetterBuiltNW provides resources directly related to the questions and concerns shared by builders, Raters, developers, and other members of the high-performance residential construction industry.
Revisit these noteworthy projects, home design strategies for increased energy efficiency, and informative resources from last year to refresh your knowledge and inspire your 2026 plans.
Wishing you a happy and successful year!
Creative building strategies to achieve greater home energy performance
Drain-water heat recovery systems and continuous insulation solutions are two underutilized concepts builders can use in their projects to satisfy or exceed residential energy code requirements. Learn the advantages that make these solutions worth considering for high-performance residential construction. Read more on these concepts.
Habitat for Humanity builds big ideas in Big Sky Country
Three builders of Habitat for Humanity homes in Montana employ advanced home design strategies to achieve higher energy performance and make their homes more affordable for the owners. Their approaches invite builders everywhere to explore new ideas—and build better. Learn about these builders' tactics.
Proven strategies for getting ducts inside
Installing ductwork inside the thermal envelope of a home, not only improves operation of the HVAC system, but also boosts energy performance of the entire home and can help meet energy code requirements. Explore a few proven methods.
BetterBuiltNW and Earth Advantage’s most recommended trainings from 2025
Building better homes requires a deep understanding of why buildings perform the way they do and applying strategies that hold up on real job sites. These top-ranked, on-demand trainings help building professionals:
- Navigate increasingly complex codes, performance expectations, and climate considerations
- Increase industry and real-world expertise
- Troubleshoot performance challenges
- Stay up-to-date on best practices
Building Performance & The Science Behind Home Construction
Led by industry expert Dr. Allison A. Bailes, this course explores the fundamentals of airtightness and ventilation and how they impact energy performance, indoor air quality, and long-term durability. Participants gain clarity on common misconceptions and walk away with practical insights to inform envelope and ventilation decisions on real projects. Learn more and access the training.
Built to Last: Strategies for Long-Term Air Barrier Performance
How well do air barriers actually perform over time? This training shares findings from a study that revisited 30 homes—2 to15 years after construction—to evaluate the mid-term durability of interior and exterior air barrier strategies, with and without aerosolized sealants. Builders and designers will learn how diagnostic tools were used, where failures commonly occur, and what lessons can be applied to improve long-term airtightness and quality control. Learn more and access the training.
High-Performance Homes: Cold Climate Strategies & Case Studies
Developed with the Center for Energy & Environment, this course focuses on proven approaches for building comfortable, efficient homes in cold climates. Through real-world case studies, participants will explore envelope strategies that lower loads, advanced heat pump systems, and ventilation designs that support healthy indoor air quality to highlight how all-electric, high-performance homes can succeed across seasons and climate zones. Learn more and access the training.