Energy Circle maintains an active presence on Twitter because there is a vibrant community of like-minded, passionate people who care about home energy efficiency, green building, and general concerns about the future of our planet.
So far, the professional energy auditor/rater/building science community (at least those of whom we're aware) isn't huge, but we've found the tweets of experienced, certified people who spend their days inside of buildings evaluating energy challenges to be highly educational, useful and practical.
As green mania reaches a fever pitch, we've noticed a significant increase in dubious services masquerading as energy audits. With the field expanding at such a rapid rate, it is critically important that homeowners understand the distinction between a whole house energy audit conducted by a certified building science professional and the spate of lesser offerings. To better understand what the various auditor and rater certifications mean, see our Guide to Energy Auditor Certification.
In addition to helping educate consumers, twitter is also a burgeoning community where building science professionals can interact amongst themselves. As the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) recently noted in a post urging members to get on Twitter, there is an opportunity for constructive dialogue here--ranging from advice about the best products to use in certain situations to keeping each other abreast of useful posts and articles.
Here is a short list of self-identified auditors and raters we've enjoyed following so far on Twitter, along with their most recent Tweets. Let us know if you are on Twitter working in this field, and we'll keep the conversation going.
@ijustinj is, in his words, "A specialist in home performance (vs the touchy feely stuff) as it relates to comfort, durability, IAQ, HVAC, and such. Been in the industry for 12 years (before 'green' was a buzz word)." Justin's creds include HERS Rater, and a degree in architectural engineering.
A recent Tweet - "Pretty much the best thing you can do for your environment? Build a better house or retrofit current one. $ for $ beats renewables."
@greenrater is a certified BPI professional and HERS rater based in St. Louis, Missouri. He runs Showmehomeenergysolutions.com.
A recent Tweet: a rumination on passive houses - houses that are so well insulated "that the conventional heating system can be omitted."
@Greencurmudgeon is a green building consultant, "and curmudgeon," based in Atlanta, Georgia. According to his site bio, Carl Seville certifies homes under the LEED, EarthCraft, NAHB, and Energy Star programs. A recent Tweet: "Never even turned my AC on yesterday, doors and windows open this morning, just loving it" - and in Georgia!
@greentemur is President of the Oklahoma Green Business Alliance, an LEED AP, energy auditor, and green business and building consultant based in Oklahoma. A recent Tweet: "heading to do an energy audit of a 6,000 sq ft home! ventless attic using bio-based spray foam is planned"
@sarasweeney describes herself as an architect/LEED AP specializing in sustainable building research/consulting; independent, original, analytical, and determined; interested in serving humanity. She's also a certified HERS rater and all around super nice and very committed person.
A recent Tweet: A shout-out to NESEA's bid to Get us Tweeting. And mourning the death of a Macbook. (We feel your pain, Sara).
@buildingsystem is the Twitter account of advancedenergy.org, a North Carolina applied building science company that focuses on "industrial process technologies, motors and drives testing... to create economic, environmental and societal benefits through innovative and market-based approaches to energy issues." Their Twitter bio: "Buildings work as systems, and we help people in the building industry make them better." A recent Tweet: "White House weatherization video w/Van Jones. Where, o where, are the envelope improvements? Insulation? Ventilation? http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=232593585192&ref=nf#/note.php?note_id=232448170192&ref=nf"
@GHAmerica (Green Homes America) is "an award winning home improvement service that significantly enhances the comfort, energy efficiency, and air quality of existing single-family homes." Green Homes America participates in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and is accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). A recent Tweet: link to a good oil trends discussion at the Oil Drum: http://tinyurl.com/mfk7vf.
@HorizonMaine is an energy audit and green building service located in South Portland, Maine. Their creds:Nationally Accredited Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Provider, EPA Energy Star Homes Rating Partner, LEED for Homes Green Rater, NAHB Green Building Verifier, Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Service Provider (Accredited HERS Rater) A recent Tweet - "Did an energy audit on a house that is a candidate for the 1000 Home Challenge - 70% plus. energy reduction target. http://www.affordablecomfort.org/initiatives.php?PageID=16"
@timothy_bush of Sinclair, Knight Merz consulting is a green building design consultant based in Melbourne, Australia. Our lone representative of the Southern Hemisphere! He is Greenstar accredited.
A recent Tweet: It's "bloody windy" in Melbourne - wishes there were some wind turbines around the city.
Special Mention Organizations
@ACIadvancing - The mothership of the auditor community, ACI, has recently assumed a presence on Twitter. A recent Tweet speaks eloquently to the powers (and peculiarities) of innovation (follow the link):
A recent Tweet: "A very unusual insulation solution! http://www.todayandtomorrow.net/2009/05/29/selective-insulation/."
@HomeEnergyMag - Home Energy Magazine is the 25 year veteran of home energy based in Berkeley that recently set up on twitter, and we're glad for that. A recent Tweet: a bit of press for Efficiency First, the trade organization for home performance pros.
I know this list isn't complete, and forgive me if I've missed you. We'll definitely do this again. Feel free to use the comments to recommend others....or yourself.
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