Efficiency Vermont

Have you ever put time and energy into creating a report, only to see it sit on a shelf? That's all too common, but I'm happy to say it's not the case with the Efficiency Vermont Energy Burden report, which I had the pleasure of working on in 2019. This report has shaped the conversation in both large and small ways since it was published five years ago. Here's just one recent example: The State of Vermont is now offering energy resilience implementation grants to help towns across the state lower energy use, reduce GHG emissions, and improve resilience. The program is open to towns designated as having the highest energy burden in the Efficiency Vermont report! This is a great example of research being put to use to improve program outcomes. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gMgGnEKZ. How is your state addressing energy burden? How could they improve their efforts? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Efficiency Vermont is proud to be among the partners involved with rehabbing a historic East Hardwick building into efficient housing! Dating back to 1851, the 64 Main Street property has been a store, a boarding house, and apartments. Vacant for the last 10 years, this project returns a historic building to use as three energy efficient and affordable apartments. “Enabling these new East Hardwick apartments to be all-electric will provide affordable, year-round comfort for residents, and came about through a great collaboration between Efficiency Vermont, 3E Thermal (through Capstone Community Action), and the project manager, Erich Stephens," said Matt Sharpe, senior engineering consultant at Efficiency Vermont who worked closely on the project. "The units are heated and cooled with heat-pumps, are all built to Efficiency Vermont's high performance standards for insulation and air sealing, and use high efficiency appliances. We worked closely with the project team to support the selection of the equipment that will meet all of the building’s heating and cooling needs while also ensuring high indoor air quality. Of particular importance was ensuring the heat pumps were properly sized to the very efficient conditions of the building envelope. This kind of technical assistance ensures the right equipment is in place—and helps avoid issues from oversized equipment like poor performance, lack of comfort for occupants, and higher electricity bills. Helping property owners update their buildings to save energy and keep energy bills low are all part of Efficiency Vermont’s efforts to ensure everyone can share the benefits of clean technology.” Other partners include the Office of Historic Preservation at Vermont’s Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s, VPPSA, Hardwick Electric, and Rural Edge. #EfficiencyVermont #EVT #Vermont #OldHomeRestoration #Sustanability #Cleanenergy #SafeHousing

Efficiency Vermont is excited to announce that Vermont heat pump pioneer Jake Marin has received one of The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)'s 2024 Champion of Energy Efficiency Awards. The award highlights Marin’s years of work bringing heat pumps to Vermont as a viable, affordable, and emissions-free heating solution. The award also commends Marin’s efforts working alongside utility partners, contractors, suppliers, and other links in the supply chain to bring heat pumps optimized for Vermont’s cold climate to the state. “Today, heat pumps help many in Vermont meet their home’s heating and cooling needs—but 10 years ago, they were rare in New England,” Marin said about his efforts. “It wasn’t until the early 2010s that we started to see systems that could meet the demands of our harsh winters. And it took support from policymakers, utility partners, manufacturers, contractors, and more to help Efficiency Vermont run a successful heat pump program across the state for the last ten years. I’m honored to receive this award and thrilled by the heat pump success we’ve had in Vermont.” Congratulations again, Jake. We are lucky to have you! 📸: @Randy Tunnell #EfficiencyVermont #EVT #ACEEE #SummerStudy #SummerStudy24 #HeatPumps

VEIC is proud to announce Jake Marin, Lead Emerging Opportunities Manager, has been awarded the Implementation and Deployment award from The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)'s 2024 Champions of Energy Efficiency in Buildings! Join us in congratulating Jake and all other awardees.

Last week we celebrated the groundbreaking of Reid Commons in St. Albans! This wouldn't be possible without support from M&T Bank, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Vermont State Housing Authority, Efficiency Vermont, Duncan-Wisniewski Architecture, ReArch Company, Green Mountain Power, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, Rep. Becca Balint, Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, and many others. We look forward to cutting the ribbon on 33 new energy-efficient, affordable apartments next summer! Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e5kCZv_k

Efficiency Vermont is proud to be a partner in the new energy efficient and all-electric farmworker housing at Riverview Dairy in Franklin! The project was possible with the help of several key partners. Funded by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and administered through Champlain Housing Trust, we’re also proud to work with the Milk With Dignity Standards Council (MDSC) in their longstanding advocacy for healthy, comfortable, and energy efficient new housing for Vermont’s dairy workers. The MDSC’s efforts helped secure grants that funded a significant portion of the construction. Other partners include the Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity (VLITE), the The Vermont Community Foundation, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Market’s Working Lands Enterprise Initiative. Denna says she’s really proud of her electric bills: “Vermont dairy has a responsibility to provide safe and dignified housing. This is what it needed to be. It took a long time to get here.” Denna and Michael at Riverview Dairy were committed to working with local tradespeople to make this new house just right for the people who will call it home. The new housing is a great example of the benefits of high performance construction. The building uses no fossil fuels. Heat pumps meet all heating and cooling needs, with rooftop solar panels to help offset its energy costs. Excellent indoor air quality is achieved with an advanced ventilation system. “Efficiency Vermont worked with Riverview from the start on a design that would serve farmworkers while also helping them manage energy costs over time. With Efficiency Vermont’s guidance, the builder, Laroche Construction, revised the project to add more insulation and better air sealing,” said Li Ling Young, lead engineering consultant with Efficiency Vermont. “We also inspected the house during construction and, when it was done, conducted performance tests as a final verification the home met its energy goals. Many tradespeople contributed to this high performance home, and Riverview Dairy led the way with high expectations and perseverance. The outcome is truly something to be proud of.” #EfficiencyVermont #EVT #Vermont #VermontFarmers #VermontDairy #CleanEnergy #Sustanability

Efficiency Vermont is committed to helping Vermonters build sustainability and resiliency in their communities. In 2011, Irene flooded the town of Wilmington, which destroyed the fire and police department. This left residents stranded when they needed help most. Now, 13 years later, Wilmington has a new climate-resilient public safety headquarters. Read more on our blog about the new headquarters. https://lnkd.in/eBYqDG84 #Vermont #EffeciencyVermont #EnergyEffeciency #FloodRecovery #PublicSaftey #Sustainability

Efficiency Vermont is excited to announce the 2025 Better Building by Design Conference and Call for Presentations deadline has been extended through July 15th! The conference theme is 2030 on the Horizon: Assessing Vermont’s Vision Versus Reality. All submitters will be notified of acceptance by mid-August.   https://lnkd.in/evM6g7eE

How fitting that yesterday we posted about Lawson’s Finest Liquids installing a new cooler and today is World Refrigeration Day! In addition to working with Lawson’s on their new cooler, we have also worked with Hannaford’s in South Burlington on their refrigerators to make sure that your Vermont beer, cider, cheese, and other dairy products are kept cool. Read more about our work with Hannaford’s on our blog. What is your favorite cold Vermont product? Comment below! #GoNatRefs https://lnkd.in/gc5hQJNT

Here at Efficiency Vermont, we are committed to helping business achieve their energy-saving goals. One of our trailblazing partners is Lawson's Finest Liquids. Lawson’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions from Vermont’s renowned brewing industry is evident in their continuous upgrades to their facility and brewing process. Recently, Lawson’s installed a 3,500 square foot cooler that uses carbon dioxide, a natural refrigerant, to keep their beer cool rather than synthetic refrigerants which are harmful to the environment.  Read more about Lawson’s and the impact that refrigerants have on the environment on our blog! 🍻  https://lnkd.in/e_xfsa45