December 01, 2017
BetterBuiltNW Newsletter Q4 2017
Inspiring case studies from the region
Great things are happening in energy-efficient new home building. We have three new case studies on our website highlighting some of these projects. In Idaho, Benchmark Homes, Building Energy, Inc., and Idaho Power worked together to prove the efficiency of homes built with insulated concrete forms. In Montana, Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley joined forces with Flathead Electric Cooperative to take their home’s energy efficiency to the next level. In Washington, key industry players collaborated to get the National Green Building Standard adopted as a voluntary code in their community.
Central Electric Co-op’s New Homes Program
Central Electric Co-op is excited to announce that their New Homes Program for electrically heated homes officially launched on October 1. The program offers a variable incentive — the higher above current code a home performs, the greater the incentive. Homes must perform at least 10% above current code to qualify. For more information on how to participate, please contact Ryan Davies at rdavies@cec.coop.
Introducing the Clark Public Utilities New Homes Performance Program
Clark County area professionals can now participate in the Clark Public Utilities New Homes Performance Program, which provides variable incentives to support above-code energy-efficient homebuilding. The higher above code the home performs, the greater the incentive. Electrically heated homes must be at least 15% above code to qualify — and you can get a $500 bonus for surpassing code by 30%. Gas-heated homes must be at least 10% above code to qualify. For more information on how to participate, please contact DuWayne Dunham at 360.992.3260 or ddunham@clarkpud.com.
New home incentives from Snohomish PUD
Snohomish PUD is now offering a $1,200 incentive for homes built at least 20% more efficient than current code and certified to Built Green 4-Star standards. Other home certifications or efficiency targets may also qualify. Homes must be modeled to Northwest standards and entered into the AXIS database. To learn more, please visit their program website.
EPA proposes ENERGY STAR Version 3.2 in Washington
The Environmental Protection Agency would like to implement Version 3.2 of the ENERGY STAR® Certified Homes Program Requirements in Washington. They propose that Version 3.2 requirements be applicable to all homes permitted in Washington on or after July 1, 2018. Program requirements will be finalized in November so that builders and trade partners can prepare for the change. You can view current ENERGY STAR requirements by state here.
Presentations from Home Efficiency Forum 2017 are now online
Thank you to everyone who attended Home Efficiency Forum this year! We hope you had a great time, made valuable connections and learned something new. All presentations are now on our website and available to download, even if you weren’t able to attend the event.
Meet the Zero Energy Project
The Zero Energy Project is an educational nonprofit whose mission is to help builders, designers, REALTORS®, lenders, homeowners and homebuyers reduce carbon emissions by building zero-energy homes. Join them in increasing demand for and availability of buildings with net-zero carbon emissions. Visit their website to learn more, read their blog and sign up for their newsletter.
Program changes for Hot Water Solutions in 2018
Hot Water Solutions, NEEA’s heat pump water heater (HPWH) program, will no longer provide product markdowns of $200 on small tanks and $300 on large tanks starting January 1, 2018. Hot Water Solutions will honor the current markdown offering for all new construction purchase orders made and contracts signed through December 31, 2017. Please confirm with your suppliers that they will honor the markdown for the duration of your new construction project in 2018. Hot Water Solutions will continue to provide markdowns for qualified split-system HPWHs, and utilities will continue supporting HPWHs and offer rebates of up to $1,000 in 2018. Contact Jill Reynolds with questions >