Better Homes, Better Future

Energy and Environmental Building Alliance
  • 4.3 (3)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

In the "Better Homes, Better Future" podcast, Aaron Smith, CEO of EEBA, hosts conversations with key players in the industry to break down the principles, issues, technologies and history of the sustainable building movement.

  1. 4D AGO

    Transforming Our Communities Into Grid Assets

    Part of what happens on the power grid starts in the homes we build. Meeting the rising demand for electricity presents a challenge, but also an opportunity to transform our homes from energy consumers into energy producers and distributors. In this session you'll hear from builders who have communities enrolled in Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs and are deploying battery storage at scale. The session will be moderated and led by California’s largest VPP company with over 53,000 customers and 200 megawatts capacity- comparable to a medium-sized gas power plant. Learning Objectives: Understanding our electrical grid and its history.Learn how we can meet today’s and tomorrow’s growing electrical demand.Understand what role homebuilders are playing in stabilizing the grid and turning their homes from energy consumers into energy producers. Discover the benefits homebuyers are experiencing from battery storage and virtual power plant programs.Presenters: Megan Cordes, Director Sustainability and Building Science, Beazer HomesJoel Abney, Vice President of Operations, SH Residential Holdings, LLCMatt Brost, Vice President New Home Sales, SunrunChip Silverman, Senior Manager, Grid Services Business Development, Sunrun Learn More and Register for the 2026 Summit: https://summit.eeba.org

    57 min

  2. NOV 3

    Unveiling the Future of HVAC and Indoor Air Quality

    Panasonic OASYS™ Concept Home Sets a New Standard for Whole Home Wellness Panasonic recently introduced its revolutionary OASYS™ Whole Home Air Quality Management Solution through the launch of the first-ever Panasonic OASYS Concept Home in Houston, TX. This milestone project, showcases how advanced HVAC technology can transform indoor environments, delivering superior comfort, energy efficiency, and wellness. The Concept Home has also earned the prestigious Indoor airPLUS certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), affirming its commitment to healthier indoor air and safer living conditions. The Panasonic OASYS™ system is more than a traditional HVAC setup—it’s a fully integrated air quality management solution that combines ventilation fans, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), and HVAC units into a single, seamless system. Working in tandem with a tightly sealed building envelope, OASYS continuously delivers fresh, filtered air throughout the home, actively removing pollutants, allergens, and excess humidity. In this webinar you will learn how the Panasonic OASYS System provides: 1) Uniform temp and humidity with fresh, healthy air 2) 4x air change per hour; controlled airflow 3) Its energy efficiency 4) How it is comprised of reliable and individual components (easy to install and maintain)

    55 min

  3. OCT 27

    Healthier Homes Begin with Healthier Building Materials

    Science-based methods that link the chemical contents of building products with human and environmental health hazards have become well-established over the past decade. Product ingredient disclosures that report this information, as well as information tools to select products with desired health characteristics, are now affordable and easy-to-use by any design project team member, without the need for advanced training. This session will explain the industry standard methodology of the Health Product Declaration (HPD) and how, using web-based tools, project teams can easily make informed decisions that promote the use of healthier building products, backed up by the full transparency of open standards and publicly available information. An end-to-end example of how this information is created by manufacturers and used in product selection by project teams will be demonstrated, using two important products in residential construction: roofing and insulation. It will also demonstrate how this information provides documentation to support many green building certifications, such as Indoor AirPlus, LEED, Living Building Challenge and others with a focus on healthier materials. Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will understand the science-based methods for linking the chemical contents of building products with human and environmental health hazards. 2. Participants will learn how manufacturers collect and report health information about their products, and how it is made transparent and publicly available with the demonstrated web-based information tools. 3. Participants will learn about the information that is required to evaluate the human and environmental health hazards in building materials, the affordable tools now available to building project teams that make it possible without the need for expert training, and how builders can easily incorporate this step into their product selection process. 4. Participants will learn how product content and health information disclosures simplify providing documentation for green building certifications such as Indoor AirPlus, LEED and Living Building Challenge. Presenters: Paul Shahrairi, Green building and the application of technology in the real estate, design, engineering, and construction industries.Andrew Guido, VP of Sustainability & Innovation, Empire CommunitiesAaron Smith, CEO, EEBACory White, Technical Director, Health Product Declaration CollaborativeColin Harrington, Program Manager of Sustainability Marketing & Communications, Saint-Gobain North America

    59 min

  4. OCT 27

    Achieving High Performance with a Code-Designed Project

    Conversation with Sean Conta We all know that the right way to build a high performance, low carbon home starts in the design phase, right? Early and careful planning, research, estimating and coordinating with trades during design is the way to achieve the project goals. But wait, what if we land a project that has already been designed and permitted? And what if, for example, the plans are missing any sort of HVAC or water heating information and essentially just meet code? Can we still do high performance? This session will dive into a specific project in Seattle where the 2 person Targa Homes team was presented with just this scenario. Hear how we achieved a high performance, ZERH certified home and ADU through air tightness, robust assemblies, great windows, careful HVAC design and installation, and lower embodied carbon material choices. Learning Objectives:1. Choosing and executing high performance wall, roof, and floor assemblies that aren't on the plans 2. Designing and fitting an HVAC system in an existing structural layout 3. Convincing your client to care about upgraded windows 4. Finding what your "non-negotiables" are as you budget and build a project

    54 min

  5. OCT 27

    Trusted, Booked, Referred: The Marketing Shift High-Performance Builders Need Now

    Conversation with Christopher Salem It’s not enough to simply offer great craftsmanship. High-performance builders often face the challenge of standing out in a crowded market and converting leads into loyal clients. Too many struggle with marketing that doesn't truly resonate with their target audience, leaving them chasing after business instead of attracting it effortlessly. This webinar will help you unlock the marketing strategies that transform your business from invisible to irresistible. In this session, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling message that builds trust, positions you as the go-to expert in your field, and makes clients eager to hire and refer you. This isn’t about simply getting more leads; it's about getting the right leads who trust your expertise and want to work with you. You’ll discover how to position your brand to ensure prospects see you as their ideal choice, learn how to structure your sales process for smoother conversions, and most importantly, how to turn satisfied clients into your best marketing tool: referrals. By the end of this session, you'll have actionable insights to fine-tune your messaging, streamline your sales processes, and grow a client base that not only hires you but keeps coming back and recommending you to others. Ready to stop chasing clients and start building a reputation that drives steady, repeatable business? Key Takeaways: Reposition your brand messaging to speak directly to the pain points and desires of your ideal clients, so you stop blending in and start standing out as their trusted choice. Streamline your sales process to convert more leads into loyal, long-term clients—without the constant back-and-forth or uncertainty that holds your business back. Leverage satisfied clients to fuel your growth by turning them into your most powerful marketing asset: the repeat referrals that keep your pipeline full and your brand thriving.

    1h 5m

  6. OCT 23

    The Sustainability Waters Have Gotten a Bit Choppy...So What Now?

    Sustainability progress in the residential market has been tremendous over the past decade, but current federal deregulation actions are posing significant new challenges for continued progress. Building codes, energy efficiency, electrification, and decarbonization are specific areas facing new headwinds as result of current federal actions. While these regulatory actions may seek to halt progress in these areas, many organizations are continuing to advance their sustainability goals as part of a long-term strategy. In this lively panel discussion, we will share the latest perspective on what has changed, and what has not, with respect to our collective journey to advance sustainable building practices.Learning Objectives1. Learn what is changing at the federal level that may impact a builder’s sustainability journey2. Gain the latest knowledge on actions impacting building codes and energy efficiency tax incentives3. Understand what current federal actions mean for electrification and decarbonization in the residential market4. Learn what leading organizations are doing to continue advancing sustainability and sustainable building practices in the present eraPresentersAaron Smith, CEO, EEBAShawn Hunter, Global Sustainability Director, DuPontMegan Cordes, Director Sustainability and Building Science, Beazer HomesTim O'Brien, President, Tim O'Brien HomesDoug Tarry, Doug Tarry HomesStephen Myers, CEO, Thrive Home Builders 2026 Summit Join us September 16th-18th, 2026, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, for our High Performance Home Builder Summit — the premier event for building professionals dedicated to advancing high-performance, healthy, and resilient homes! Learn more and register at the lowest rates today at summit2026.eeba.org!

    1h 1m

  7. OCT 16

    EEBA Legends - Opening Summit Panel

    Listen to the EEBA Legends Gord Cooke, Mark LaLiberte, Joe Lstiburek, Gene Myers, and Sam Rashkin share insights from decades of experience shaping the high performance homebuilding industry. In this special panel discussion, these industry pioneers explore where the industry stands today, the lessons learned along the way, and their vision for the future of building better homes. Join us at our next High Performance Home Builder Summit, September 16-18th, 2026 in Saint Paul, MN! Learn more and register at https://summit.eeba.org!

    1h 34m

  8. OCT 10

    Innovating Home Comfort: Air-to-Water Heat Pumps for Carrier

    Introducing HVAC professionals to Carrier’s Air-to-Water Heat Pump (A2W-HP) systems for residential use. An energy efficient and sustainable complete heating, cooling and DHW solution.  Learning Objectives: Understand the core features and benefitsLearn about Hydronic FundamentalsDiscover Best PracticesUnderstand the market potential and regulatory impact

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

In the "Better Homes, Better Future" podcast, Aaron Smith, CEO of EEBA, hosts conversations with key players in the industry to break down the principles, issues, technologies and history of the sustainable building movement.

Information

  • Creator
    Energy and Environmental Building Alliance
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Energy and Environmental Building Alliance
  • Show Website
    Better Homes, Better Future

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