October 15, 2025
BetterBuiltNW October 2025 Newsletter
Honoring Dan Wildenhaus
In August, the building science world and Northwest residential energy efficiency community lost a champion of high-performance construction with the passing of Dan Wildenhaus. He was part of BetterBuiltNW from the start, sharing his vast knowledge in the form of contributions to resources, events, and more. Dan made his mark on and will be missed by many. Read the article.
Built to Last: 'Strategies for Long-Term Air Barrier Performance' Webinar
Air barriers are critical for residential energy performance—but how well do they hold up as homes age?
This webinar on November 12, 2025, at noon PST presents findings from a recent study that revisited 30 homes, 2 to 15 years post-construction. The purpose of the visit is to evaluate the mid-term durability of interior and exterior air barriers, with and without aerosolized sealant such as AeroBarrier.
Webinar attendees will see how diagnostic tools—including blower door testing, infrared thermography, and smoke evaluations—were used to measure building enclosure integrity over time. The session will share observed patterns across strategies, examples of leakage sites, and key considerations for builders, designers, and energy professionals seeking to deliver homes that remain tight and efficient for years after construction. Sign up here.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Must-read content from past newsletters just in case you missed it.
High-Performance Home News
Every month, BetterBuiltNW highlights news articles and other media to keep builders and Raters/verifiers informed about key industry updates, program changes, and other features.
Northwest News
Energy Trust of Oregon Insider
Green Building Advisor
RESNET®
- RESTalk Podcast Episode 144: Checklists to Real-Time Data: The QA Evolution at RESNET
- DOE Introduces Name Change: DOE Efficient New Homes, with Program Updates
National News
Pro Builder