Energy-smart building is on the rise in Vermont. This year, Efficiency Vermont experienced a notable increase in entries to its Best of the Best Awards, honoring the best in energy-efficient commercial and residential design and construction in Vermont. Award recipients will be recognized at Efficiency Vermont s 2010 Better Buildings by Design Conference, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday February 10 and 11, 2010, in Burlington. The conference focuses on energy-efficient building design, construction and renovation and is attended by more than 1,000+ people.
Vermont builders and contractors entered their work in three areas of energy efficiency: commercial new construction and major renovation, residential new construction and residential renovation. In just the commercial category, Efficiency Vermont saw a 50 percent increase in entries.
Almost everyone says that they believe in energy efficiency, but nationally-known researcher (and keynote speaker) Suzanne Shelton has found that this belief doesn't always convert to energy action. What can we do to change that, and what are the latest residential and building trends to make it even easier?
Shelton, president and CEO of The Shelton Group, a Knoxville, TN-based firm that tracks consumer attitudes about sustainability, living green and choosing energy efficiency, will be giving the keynote speech at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Other hot topics at the conference include:
Financing Energy Efficiency. Nationally, conversation about a new form of energy finance, known as property-assessed clean-energy programs or "PACE is growing. Vermont Energy Investment Corporation s Peter Adamczyk will delve into PACE programs and more.
Net-Zero and Passive Buildings. National experts from the US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Passive House Institute, and Efficiency Vermont, as well as representatives of local firms will explain how these types of structures contribute to dramatic energy savings.
The New Frontier of Lighting. A smarter approach to efficient lighting comprehensive lighting design will be introduced alongside new efficiency lighting design incentives available through Efficiency Vermont.
Commercial Building Design & Construction:
Projects for the University of Vermont s College of Medicine, Champlain College and the Putney School took top honors. Projects for the Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historic Park and Heritage Aviation received merit awards.
The new interior courtyard at the UVM College of Medicine s Given Building, created by Black River Design using the existing building infrastructure, is pending LEED Gold certification. An element of the design is an energy recovery ventilation unit, which reduces energy usage by minimizing the energy required to condition outside air. It does so by reclaiming energy from the building s return air and introduces this energy into the outdoor air before it is delivered into the building supply air. The approximate recovery efficiency of the unit is 80 percent. Energy-efficient lighting design reduces the building s lighting power density by 60 percent via occupancy sensors and daylighting controls.
Maclay Architects designed an innovative Net-Zero energy field house for the Putney School, reducing its carbon footprint by an estimated 100 percent. A number of energy efficiency measures, from a super-insulated building envelope to efficient new light fixtures, bring the building s energy use down by 55 percent from that allowed by the Vermont Energy Code. The building generates all of its annual energy needs through the on-site solar photovoltaic tracker array. The field house is on track for a LEED platinum certification.
Vermont ENERGY STAR® Homes Residential New Construction:
Kingdom Construction, Black River Design and developer Jack Dator took top honors for the Bear Path Townhomes in East Burke. Energy recovery ventilation is incorporated and each home is outfitted with ENERGY STAR appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers and efficient light fixtures. Homes in Brattleboro, Hinesburg and Norwich also received top honors.
Homes Performance with ENERGY STAR Residential Energy Efficiency Renovation:
William Morrissey of Weatherization Works of Dorset won the grand prize for work completed for under $5,000. The winning home, located in Bennington, was built in 1950 with little insulation. Energy efficiency was improved through extensive insulation and air sealing; a programmable thermostat and CFLs also contribute additional energy savings. Now, the house is air-tight with annual savings of more than 1,000kWh. Renovations by Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors in Barre City, Fairfax, Shelburne, Warren and Dummerston were also honored.
The complete list of award winners is as follows:
Best of the Best in Commercial Building Design & Construction Award Winners
Recognizing innovative and integrated design approaches for energy efficiency in Vermont's commercial, institutional, industrial, and multifamily buildings.
NEW CONSTRUCTION, SMALL BUILDINGS (20,000 sq. ft.)
Honor Award
Project: Putney School Field House (Putney, VT)
Firm: Maclay Architects (Waitsfield, VT)
Merit Award
Project: Forest Center & Wood Barn, Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historic Park (Woodstock, VT)
Firm: Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz Architects (Burlington, VT)
NEW CONSTRUCTION, LARGE BUILDINGS (>=20,000 sq. ft.)
Honor Award
Project: Courtyard at Given, University of Vermont College of Medicine (Burlington, VT)
Firm: Black River Design (Montpelier, VT)
Merit Award
Project: Heritage Aviation (South Burlington, VT)
Firm: TruexCullins (Burlington, VT)
MAJOR RENOVATION (GUT REHAB)
Honor Award
Project: Aiken Hall, Champlain College (Burlington, VT)
Firm: Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz Architects (Burlington, VT)
Best of the Best in Vermont ENERGY STAR® Homes Award Winners
Honoring exceptional achievement in new homes receiving ENERGY STAR qualification.
SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOMES 2,000 sq. ft.
Winning Home
Builder: Chuck Reiss, Reiss Building & Renovation (Hinesburg, VT)
Home Location: Hinesburg, VT
SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOMES 2,000 to 3,000 sq. ft.
Winning Home
Builder: Steve Davis, Steve Davis Construction (Hartford, VT)
Home Location: Norwich, VT
SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOMES > 3,000 sq. ft.
Winning Home
Builder: Denny Frehsee, Williams & Frehsee, Inc. (Brattleboro, VT)
Home Location: Brattleboro, VT
SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED HOMES
Winning Project
Project: Bear Path Townhomes, East Burke, VT
Developer: Jack Dator, Professional Real Estate Services (Fall River, MA)
Designer: John Rahill & Jesse Remick, Black River Design (Montpelier, VT)
Builder: Karl Chaffee & Tom Barrup, Kingdom Construction (Newport, VT)
Best of the Best in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Award Winners
Recognizing excellence in energy efficiency renovations in Vermont homes.
RETROFIT UNDER $5,000
Grand Prize
Contractor: William Morrissey, Weatherization Works (Dorset, VT)
Home Location: Bennington, VT
Honorable Mention
Contractor: Paul Zabriskie, EnergySmart of Vermont (Barre, VT)
Home Location: Barre City, VT
RETROFIT FROM $5,000 to $15,000
Grand Prize
Contractor: John Ashton, Ashton Thermal (East Fairfield, VT)
Home Location: Fairfax, VT
Honorable Mention
Contractor: James Bradley, Caleb Contracting LLC (Cambridge, VT)
Home Location: Shelburne, VT
RETROFIT OVER $15,000
Grand Prize
Contractor: Brad Cook, Building Performance Services (Warren, VT)
Home Location: Warren, VT
Honorable Mention
Contractor: Keith Abbott, Thermal House (Jamaica, VT)
Home Location: Dummerston, VT
Efficiency Vermont was created by the Vermont Legislature and the Vermont Public Service Board to help all Vermonters reduce energy costs, strengthen the economy, and protect Vermont's environment. Efficiency Vermont is currently operated by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), an independent organization under contract to the Vermont Public Service Board. VEIC is a Vermont-based nonprofit organization founded in 1986. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990 or visit www.efficiencyvermont.com.
Source: Efficiency Vermont.
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