The New Economy of Energy Retrofits: Incentives for Builders and Homeowners

Mar 12, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Room # 401

Presented by: Dan Wildenhaus, Fluid Market Strategies and David Bangs, Energy Friendly

Session Descriptions:

Energy and Water waste in existing homes and buildings are clearly at the center of our ability to respond to the climate crisis. New local and national programs and incentives will soon lead to big opportunities to retrofit homes for improved efficiency, comfort and health. Home Performance expert Dan Wildenhaus will describe the home performance process, which starts with diagnostic testing to determine a whole house plan and continues through the installation of the right measure in the right order to make the house perform better in every respect. Then, Home Performance Washington founder David Bangs will outline emerging opportunities, such as new utility incentives and the proposed federal Home Star ("Cash for Caulkers") program.

Speakers Bios:

Dan Wildenhaus, Fluid Market Strategies

Dan Wildenhaus is the newest addition to the technical management team at Fluid Market Strategies. Mr. Wildenhaus brings an impressive resume to the Fluid team, working as technical support and trainer for the ENERGY STAR® Homes Northwest Program. Mr. Wildenhaus has been an instructor in the Seattle Community College system, conducted home energy audits, weatherization repairs, and provided consultation and analysis for private clients in both the new construction and existing home markets. Prior to joining Fluid, Mr. Wildenhaus provided building science consultation and training services for Green Dog Enterprises and Atmosphere Indoor Environmental Management. Currently, Mr. Wildenhaus is the Technical Standards Chair for Home Performance Washington and the new Chair for Seattle’s Residential Energy Efficiency Opportunity Committee.

David Bangs, Energy Friendly

David Bangs, Principle of Energy Friendly Ventures and an energy investor and former Microsoft manager, founded Home Performance Washington (HPW) one year ago by bringing together a handful of like-minded auditors and contractors interested using a whole house energy retrofit approach to maximize efficiency, comfort, durability and safety. The group found that working together would be necessary to surmount significant obstacles and transform an industry traditionally focused on installing individual products. Today, HPW is comprised of over 80 service providers, conservation programs, educational institutions and other stakeholders statewide. HPW is, in turn, a founding chapter of Efficiency First, the national organization most responsible for federal legislation promoting performance-based home retrofits, such as the Home Star ("Cash for Caulkers") proposal in the Obama Jobs Bill. David serves as president and policy chair of HPW and as a board member and national best practices committee chair of Efficiency First. Learn more at www.homeperformancewashington.org and www.efficiencyfirst.org.